#juni-hitoe

A response to Inu-fanon's post

There are two main time periods of clothing in Inuyasha, Heian and Sengoku. (Don't pay attention to Sessamaru. His clothing is a modgepodge and makes no sense.)

Above is a still form the Unmother scene. Inu!Mom is wearing a Heian Juni-hitoe or "twelve layer robe."

The main difference between Heian noble women's clothing and what later noble women were wearing up until the Edo period is pants. Heian noble ladies wore red hakama. Later noble women decided that they would rather not walk in pants that trailed behind them, thanks all the same.

Heian noble women only wore plain under robes (kosode) since they were nearly invisible under layers of over robes. Later times periods liked to decorate kosode (see the stripes on the collar above), and the kosode eventually evolved into the kimono.

See, no pants! Sweet freedom!

Inuyasha's distinctive red outfit is also from the Heian era. It's called a suikan and was the clothing of rambunctious little noble boys.

Yep, Inuyasha's running around in 5-10 year old clothing. No wonder he's so cranky ;)