Yukata
About Yukata
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Yukata is a type of Japanese wear which was originally used by high-class people during the Heian period after they came out of the bath.
It is said that this former so-called "Yukata-bira" was made out of hemp and that it came to be worn during the Azuchi-Momoyama-period as a dress
which helps the skin absorb the water after having a bath. The yukata spread as a wear for normal people during the Edo period and took then its shape as we know it today.
Basically, the yukata is made out of cotton and represents the most casual under the informal Japanese clothes. Also it is worn directly on the naked skin.
As it is made out of cotton and is ventilated very well, there are lots of occasions you can wear it in summer or after having a bath. Presently,
there are both yukatas for wearing at firework events or "Bon-odori"-events in summer (colorful ones for going out), or as Pyjama or after bathing (for at home).
For one's feet one can go barefooted in simple Japanese geta (Japanese wooden clogs).
Our CJO foreign staff come together
and had a discussion on Japanese Yukata.
what is your image of a yukata?
Yo (China, female): Um. It reminds me of Hanabi.
Hanne (Norway, female): Well, it lets me think of summer.
Maria (Russia, female): I think it's good that a lot of young people wear yukata.
Florent (France, male): Yukata has an elegant and modern touch.
Sen (China, male): I think it's good that it's cheaper than a real kimono.
How do men think of women wearing a yukata?
Florent: I think that yukata are colorful and gorgeous. Yosuke (Germany, male): Yes, I think they're pretty
So, how do men wearing yukata look like?
Hanne: It looks very relaxed. 'Cause yukatas for men are not as tight as women's yukata with their obi (the special belt for kimono/yukata).
If it's a little bit loose around the chest, it doesn't matter (laughs). If women do that, it does (laughs).
Japanese young girls wear yukata fancir
way these days.
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Have you ever worn a yukata?
Everyone (except Florent): Yes, we have.
Florent: I have never worn a yukata, but for my wedding I've worn a kimono.
Hanne: In their own countries foreigners don't have the opportunity to wear a yukata, and if they do so, they are looked at like doing cosplay (laughs).
Sen: In China you wear yukata also only in the photo studio or for a shooting for special occasions. Besides some students who learn about
Japan might wear it at parties like a new year's party.
Yosuke: In Germany there are Japan festivals at several places around the country. I'd like to wear a yukata for one of those occasions.
For those who have experienced wearing a yukata, how does it feel?
Hanne: I get a special feeling.
Yo: My feelings go up and my posture gets better.
Hanne: But the obi is a little bit of a pain.
Yosuke: Because we wear yukata only during summer, every year I forget how to wear the yukata right or how to tie the obi. The obi is a bit inconvenient.
Hanne: That's right, the obi is terrible. It's tight and it's difficult to wear...
Sen: Yes, I like the yukata, but I also think that the way how to tie the obi is a bit difficult for foreigners... always questions like "Which side was the collar?
This or the other side?"
Yosuke: And it's not the yukata, but the geta (Japanese wooden clogs) are painful as well.
Sen: Yes, it hurts at the clog thong. They're hard 'cause they're made out of wood so they hurt after wearing them a longer time. Sandals are more relaxing (laughs).
So you mean, an obi with a one-touch would be much easier to wear?
Maria: Yes, I think so. It would be easier to wear.
"I don't make traditional yukata but create
clothes that change along with people.
Still, you cannot cast away the good old.
But that only means not casting it away"
This is the concept of the designer,
who made each single item of clothing
with great care.
The leather obi-belt is a modern,
cool idea never seen before. It's real
leather but due to a special technique it's
soft and doesn't feel uncomfortable tying
it around the hips.
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this is an obi which you don't tie but slide in,
making it easier to wear. way these days.
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