a cool idea 4 a mans kimono!

[akihito89]

I'm posting a pic of a design i like.  This would be cool if it was in mans kimono deminsions!

These R boys kimonos, but I think their designs would make COOL, AWESOME, RADICAL mens' kimonos!  This would be cool too!

reply and tell me what yoo think

[Kou Hiko]

I totally agree with you. I love the designs on boy's kimono and they should be incoorperated in men's fashion.  

I remember seeing at Uwajimaya in Seattle kimono that they said were men's kimono. They were the cheap polyester kind, some with tube sleeves. I absolutely hate machine made kimono, especially one's made for American buyers. They make these kimono so that they appeal to us, I mean, what American man would want to buy a kimono with no designs and dull colors? The designs are all of dragons and tigers and usually have a base color of black.  Even though these kimono-wanna-bes are made for American audiences, maybe they can be the first step to men's kimono with designs.

[chiiyo]

I don't know whether this is dumb or not, but heres an idea... flip your haori inside out and wear them so...

wait, i think it's been done before...

[Kiyoaki]

Dear Akihito et al,

Perhaps I should have mentioned this sooner, but the very first kimono that I bought as a serious collector [as proven by the fact I couldn't wear it], was a boy's kimono. Whether is was intended for a first shrine visit (which is equivalent to a christening), or for Children's Day (somewhat akin to Confirmation), I can't be certain. At the time, I was thinking, "Why don't men's kimono look like this?". The boldness of the design, and the use of yuzen technique, was a complete departure from the sedate garments men usually wear. The change was completely refreshing. So I went on to buy dozens more just to explore this interest.

Naturally, I was simultaneously trying to imagine what might work for adult males. Obviously, the larger society would not easily accept such a radical departure from the recent [since the Meiji Restoration] tradition. However, the existing tradition of men's juban and decorative linings for haori, which a number of you have mentioned before, seemed to point the way to reviving interest in kimono [for men at least].

Perhaps this freedom of decoration is the best reason women in Japan seem to be the standard bearer when it comes to keeping the kimono-wearing tradition alive. If men were allowed to express [to the same degree as women] their tastes in traditional dress, they would soon champion its' preservation too. But, I didn't think this would necessarily be an 'easy sell', so I started to think of moderate ways of introducing the trend. Along the way some ideas occured to me that perhaps others would like to comment upon. Naturally, some of these thoughts require refinement or rejection, and eventual execution to do any good. Perhaps a critique here will serve as the best point of departure.

COLORS

Although this could largely be a matter of personal taste, I don't think there is much need to depart from accepted colors for men. Worldwide, men's dress generally seems to be more plain and sober than women's. In Japan, if men were allowed the same liberties as women, then individual taste could rule. As far as possible excess go, there is never a way to prevent those occuring. But the same controls on questionable taste still exist. Afterall, in the West, middle-aged men wearing pastel suits would make the same impression as they do in Japan.

WEAVES

Here I think men need not give up anything. Rinzu, stripes, checks, even compound and plain ones can be suitable. Perhaps the only caveat I would voice, is that the repeat be small in scale __ such as those used for men's ties. The general idea is that any pattern not call attention to itself, but only serve as a backdrop for the finish decoration.

TECHNIQUES

By 'technique' I refer to decorative techniques. Here I'd like to see a clear distinction between a woman's and man's style. I should think yuzen dying should be primarily for the very young (where forms need to be scaled down) and women alone. A fluid line is the hallmark of this technique, which seems directly akin to hiragana or 'women's writing'. Without taking sides in the debate over whether this traditional dichotomy should continue, I merely recognize that this aesthetic still holds sway today.

The more angular qualities of kanji have traditionally been considered 'men's' writing, which is why I apply this distinction. In the same vein, I believe the qualities of 'shibori' should primarily become the preserve of men. Although, both genders currently make use of this technique, when applied in masses, it acquires an architectural quality __ like mosaic flooring or pointilist painting, which seems less compatible with yuzen-zome.

TRADITION

Beyond these few adaptations, all the older traditions need not be abandoned. There is always the older generation that will not like any of these changes. The younger will always seek change, if only to distance themselves from the 'old'. I only suggest a broadening of current ideas, to offer hope for a revived interest in wearing kimono. My only plea is that everyone be allowed to seek out their own style, and let public consensus become the final arbiter of these matters [which it will inevitably become].

Kiyoaki