History of the Kimono Fabric

Vintage kimono fabric form an important part of Japan’s handicraft tradition. The techniques of weaving and dyeing were imported from Korea and China originally. In the eighth century Korea and China paid their tributes to their neighbor Japan with bolts of silk and brocade. These vintage kimono fabric were closely examined and studied and eventually the Japanese developed their own vintage kimono fabric. Their skills have been honed over the years and today Japanese vintage kimono fabrics are one of the best in the world. The love of the Japanese for fine vintage kimono fabric is reflected in Japanese folklore and mythology too. Legend has it that when the sun goddess in a fit of rage plunged the world in darkness by hiding in a cave, the other gods coaxed her out by dancing in front of the cave with blue and white banners.

Vintage Kimono Fabric
The Kimono requires plenty of fabric. Vintage kimono fabric is sold by the bolt and not by the meter. A single bolt of fabric is called a “tan” and it measures approximately 9 meters in length and 30 centimeters in width. A single “tan” is sufficient for making one Kimono, be it for a man or a woman, of whatever height or weight.

Kimono Patterns
The body of the vintage kimono is made of four strips of fabric, two strips forming the front and back pieces of the Kimono and the other two forming the sleeves. Additional smaller strips are used for the narrow front panel and the collar.

Traditionally, informal vintage kimonos have woven and dyed patterns repeated all over the body. For formal occasions, the vintage kimonos have free style designs dyed all over the surface or along the hem. Traditional vintage kimonos were worn in many layers of contrasting colors, up to a dozen layers in as many colors. Today, for reasons of practicality, only a single layer is worn over an under slip.

Today’s Kimonos
Formal Kimonos and the sashes or the “obi” were traditionally made of silk, silk brocade and silk crepes called “cherimen” and satin weaves called “rinzu”. Today, due to limited craftsmen for these traditional weaves and also due to their high cost of production vintage kimono fabrics are made of cotton and other easy care synthetic fibers like rayon and polyester. A vintage kimono made in these easy-to-manage fabrics make this traditional attire more acceptable among young people. Silk Kimonos are still worn, but are reserved exclusively