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Kimonos

In the 700's the Japanese had garments such as one piece garments or seperate garments such as skirts or trousers. This type of clothing came from the influence of the Chinese Monks that came to Japan to preach about Buddhism. It wasn't until the Heian period a new kind of kimono making technique had been adapted and developed, it was called the straight line cut method which was cutting pieces of fabric in straight lines and sewing them together, this technique had made making kimonos very simple since the creator did not have to really worry about the wearer's shape and measurements. This method also allowed people in winter to wear extra garments under their kimonos to keep them warmer, for the summer kimono's wear made out of linen which was very breathable and easy to move around in for the Japanese people making the kimono's  an everyday item that could be worn casually and for special events.  Kimono's were also developed into attire for people and judges in the justice system and the courts. In the Kamakura and Muromachi periods technology and society was developing making more colours available for Kimonos. When military clans had ruled over Japan men's kimonos were made to signify who they sided with and what army they were with. There were also special occasion kimonos which had special embellishments and were very colourful while for casual day the Japanese had worn Kimono's that were made to be lightweight and easy to wear for the ease of doing daily activities and errands. In the Edo period Japan had been divided into feudal states and Soldiers wore special kimonos which branded which state they were from and which lord they had served. In this period Kimono's had become s more complicated with more adjustments that had be added and the kimono had been split into 3 pieces such as the main part which is the robe, a sleeveless garment worn over it called kamishimo and a pair of split skirt trousers that was called hakama. Kimonos had started to become a cultural and  valuable thing and was being passed down to each generation as family heirlooms. By the 1800's the Japanese had started to trade with the westerners and had become influenced by them and wore suites and dresses. The kimonos were saved for special occasions such as weddings, birthdays, festivals, funerals etc and was no longer worn as a casual everyday piece of garment. 

Japanese Kimono History | USA Today. 2013. [ONLINE] Available at: http://traveltips.usatoday.com/japanese-kimono-history-13616.html. [Accessed 20 May 2013].

History of Kimonos - Kimono - Virtual Culture - Kids Web Japan - Web Japan. 2013.  [ONLINE] Available at: http://web-japan.org/kidsweb/virtual/kimono/kimono01.html. [Accessed 20 May 2013].