Kimono (1) - Daruma as Cloth Design
着物とだるま (1)−和服散歩


　　　　　　　　　　

　　　　　　　http://jin.jcic.or.jp/kidsweb/virtual/kimono/types1.html

"Kimono" which is simply the Japanese word for "clothes", has come to mean "traditional Japanese clothing" that evolved during the Heian period (794-1192).
The kimono assumed its present form during the Edo period when it came to be worn as a single layer with the belt tied at the back (until this time it had been tied in the front as is still the custom with yukata and belts on martial arts uniforms). Also, improved dyeing techniques, such as the "yuzen technique" (a dye-resist dyeing process), which enabled greater use of colour and made highly decorated multicoloured kimono the norm. Family colours became institutionalized and each daimyo's troops effectively had a uniform, consisting of a kimono, a kamishimo (a sleeveless jacket worn over the kimono), and a hakama (a baggy trouser-skirt). Kimono making had progressed almost to the level of an art form with kimono being handed down like swords as family heirlooms.
Keep reading on the following HPs for an introduction to Japanese clothing.
http://www.japantips.com/culture/kimonohistory.asp
http://jin.jcic.or.jp/kidsweb/virtual/kimono/history.html (with good illustrations)
http://mothra.rerf.or.jp/ENG/Hiroshima/Things/79.html
http://web.mit.edu/jpnet/kimono/


There are various occasions where you can still wear a kimono or yukata today.
Check this HP.
http://jin.jcic.or.jp/kidsweb/virtual/kimono/occasions2.html

On these homepages you find more links about Kimono in English.
着物のLINKがたくさんあるHPです。
http://search.asiaco.com/Japan/Arts_and_Humanities/Textiles/
http://www.jinjapan.org/plaza/monthly0201.html

Look at this HP for a display of beatuiful furisode decoration kimono.
振袖のHPです。
http://kimono-darumaya.hoops.jp/hurisode.htm

There is also a kimono store called Darumaya.
達磨屋と言う和服のお店です
http://kimono-darumaya.hoops.jp/


This vest was made from a door curtain (noren のれん) and shows a nice Daruma pattern on the back.
のれんから作ったベストです。

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
http://www.biwa.ne.jp/~nagata/


Here are some Japanese silk patterns of my collection with a lot of different pictures of Daruma.
達磨さんの模様の和服です。

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　


Details from a brown silk kimono with the whole Daruma family.
絹のだるま家族の模様。

A green silk kimono with tumbler doll Darumas. They are quite fierce looking.
厳しい表情のだるま起き上がり。

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　


Here is a piece with various Daruma patterns. Some of the Daruma are holding a flywhisk.
この服剪(き)れのだるまさんが払子を持っています。 　　　　　　　　

You find more about Haori and other Daruma cloth patters in Part 2.
羽織やほかのだるま模様についてはパート２で見てください。

Presented by Gabi Greve, GokuRakuAn, July, 2002.
gokuraku@po.harenet.ne.jp


To Index