by Louanne Cox

Created on: April 22, 2008   Last Updated: September 17, 2009

The kimono is more than just the national costume of Japan, it also takes us through Japan's History. It evolves in style as different stages Japan's history unfolds.

In the beginning the kimono (which means things to wear) were utilitarian pieces of hemp that were loosely fastened onto the wearer. The time of this fashion was known as the Jomon period. The time of the first known kimono was in 300BC this was towards the end of what was called the Final Jomon period. The period was in essence a Mesolithic culture, although they did display Neolithic traits such as pottery making. This means that the Japanese at these times were essentially hunters and gatherers who would have no interest in clothing save for keeping warm as the climate was starting to cool.

The next change in the kimono reflects another change in the history of Japan, the Yamato period. This period reigned from 300-550AD. The Kimono of this period consisted of two pieces, an upper and a lower piece. During this period Japan saw a swell of Chinese settlers.

Northern China began to experience climate change and the once lush forests and streams began to dry out. Moving to Japan the Chinese brought a couple of things with them that would see a change in the kimono. First they introduced silk worms to Japan and shared their skills in weaving silk from the silkworms. Next they introduced the Hanfu, an ancient Chinese form of clothing which several costume historians believe influenced the Kimono.
Therefore the two piece Kimono began to be made out of white silk. It had to be white in color because at that stage the art of dyeing had not made its way into Japan.

Next Japan moves into the Asuka Period, this was between 550-710AD. During this period the Emperor of Japan emerged and the clans which had been starting to become established were now structured into forms of aristocracy. An imperial court was formed and the kimono was divided into three different groups.

The three different groups of kimono were formal, court and uniform. There were advances in sewing techniques and the kimono evolved into having wider and longer sleeves. Color was also introduced, although only in single colors as the decorative patterns and different forms of dyeing had yet to be learnt.

During the Nara Period (710-792AD) Japanese society continued to evolve socially and culturally along the same lines as the Asuka period. The techniques for dyeing silk were further developed and the clothing became even more colorful. The kimono

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