I feel as though, with the New Year's event coming up, that it might benefit folks to be reminded to do some research on traditional kimono before they draw the canon characters or OCs in kimono. I'm not going to lie, I have seen a lot of folks put masc characters in women's kimonos, and femme characters in men's kimonos. I've seen a lot of folks draw sleeves incorrectly and at the wrong length, indicating class and marital status. I've seen folks draw obis in the front, which historically has been seen as wildly improper.
There are differences between male/female kimonos. There are differences between singled/married kimonos. The accessories, designs, and colors all carry meaning and significance. While I understand a lot of folks do genuinely want to explore and have fun with kimono, and I do genuinely think its good to learn and explore creatively with regards to other cultures besides our own, it is important to remember that this is an aspect of traditional Japanese culture that has hundreds of years of history, nuances, and social signalling. And we are responsible for handling these things with intentionality and respect.
If you have no idea where to start, not knowing different styles or different eras, or even what certain garments are called, here are some resources you can use to start your learning journey:
- History of Kimono
- Kimono Sleeve Types and Lengths
- Male vs Female Kimono - Types and Occassions
- Kimono Fabric Patterns
- Kimono and Colors
- Crash Course on Kimono
I hope you all find this genuinely helpful, and I hope this helps you all in exploring the beauty and history of Kimono. I hope it inspires you to dig even deeper into the history and to learn about those little nuances that make them so subtle and yet so openly communicative. You can express so so much in kimono, from gender, to status, to sexuality, to personal expressions and thoughts, and its so cool to see it done right!!
