HAPPI (Short Work Garment) and HACHIMAKI (Head Band)

Happi (法被, 半被) also known as the short work garment is a traditional Japanese straight-sleeved coat is usually wears during the Japanese festivals (matsuri), or in the japanese restaurant worn by chefs. Happi usually made of indigo or brown cotton and imprinted with a distinctive mon (crest) and design like a coat or jacket-like short kimono.


Happi was started and first been introduced from China and used as a chair cover in temples. But during the Edo Period, happi was worn by the fire fighters as protective jackets made of white cotton or hemp. Other than that, it has been used as the working uniforms by the carpenters and plasters. Happi design is ooriginally represented the crest of a family, by the wealthy family along time ago. Happi was made for their servants to wear for family celebrations or funerals. Besides that, the social and civic groups adopted the practice of having members wear such coats marked with the group's identification for festivals and other public gatherings. Today, large groups of people who belong to the same shrine or civic organization wear happi as marked of their identity.

Matching narrow fabric bands are often fashioned from a small towel and used to hold hair out of the face and absorb perspiration during athletic activities. Such head bands often display patriotic symbols or proclaim group affiliations. Workers for a specific company wear happi coats to proclaim their membership and/or express group loyalty. Family crests have been replaced by the company logo or name prominently displayed on the back and front of the happi coat.


Happi coats used mainly for Japanese festivals are called a matsuri happi coats meaning "festival" coat. The happi coats come in a variety of styles and colors both imprinted and plain. Some have a kanji symbol on the back, others have imprinted scenery or they are a solid print of one or two colors. Matsuri happi coats are traditionally worn over a t-shirt with shorts or pants. Short sleeved happi coats called a "taiko happi coat" are used at Japanese festivals by taiko drummers.

Japanese restaurants use a special chef’s happi coat called a hippari. The chefs happi coat is much like the traditional coat except it has a small belt that ties inside the coat.

HANTEN (Jacket)














Hanten, the traditional worksman’s coat or everyday jacket was worn by chonin (townspeople) during the Edo period. Historically hanten became popular during the Edo period when the common people were prohibited from wearing elegant haori or outer jackets. Same as happi, hanten, the traditional jacket often featured the employer’s crest or name on the back, in an early form of advertising but today, hanten is worn as casual wear for home and recreational. Hanten is a quilted short jacket worn at home for warmth.


JINBEI

Jinbei is informal traditional Japanese clothing worn mostly by men and children during summer at home. Jinbei sets consist of a top, sleeveless (upper garment) and matching linen knee-length shorts. It ties closed both inside and outside the jacket. Today jinbei is worn by men as replacement for yukata when attending the summer festivals and commonly used as a sleepwear. Modern jinbei can be found in many materials with design printed on the cloth which also involves a shorter jacket that stretches to the waist.

HAORI (Women's Short Jacket)


Haori, the unlined short kimono worn by both man and women as a jacket, replacing the kimono. There are also the haori for formal dress for man likes black silk haori and hakama over kimono. While the clothing box which contains haori which would be worn by a woman in cold weather.

HAKAMA (Kimono Trouser)

Hakama is an outer garment worn over the kimono that are either split between the legs like pants or non-split like a skirt as formal attire on formal occasions or on traditional Japanese sports competitions such as archery or fencing or tradition Japanese dance, artist an martial arts or even in wedding. The origin of Hakama pants is to protect samurai warrior legs from brush when riding a horse.

Hakama pants for men are striped or solid in subdued colors. The popular ones are the striped black and gray or dark-colored pleated skirt. While the formal attire that consists of a white under garment, black full length kimono, hakama pants and a black haori. In addition, in contrary to belief, hakama are worn by both men and women today in the Japanese shrine. Both hakama styles (skirts and pants) look exactly the same from the front and back.


More Hakama's pictures below:

Reference:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Happi,

http://www.japanesekimono.com/happi.htm

http://www.intleducenter.umd.edu/japan/marjis/resourcecenter/clothes.html

Yukata

Yukata (浴衣, Yukata?) is a Japanese summer garment worn by both men and women. The name yukata comes from the word "yu" (bath) and "katabira" (under clothing ). Though their use is not limited to after-bath wear, yukata literally means bath(ing) clothes. A yukata is a cooling garment to wear. People wearing yukata are a common sight at fireworks displays, bon-odori festivals, and other summer events. Like other forms of clothing based on traditional Japanese garments, it is made with straight seams and wide sleeves. Unlike formal kimono, yukata are typically made of cotton rather than silk or synthetic fabric, and they are unlined.

The yukata also is a casual form of kimono that is also frequently worn after bathing at traditional Japanese inns by both man and women, especially ones with their own hot-spring baths. After checking in, people often change into a yukata provided by the inn. Many go for walks outside, to the public baths, and even to dinner and breakfast (taken in a communal dining room) in their yukata.

Men wearing yukata commonly in public is when it is worn by sumo wrestlers. Junior ranked sumo wrestlers are expected to wear yukata when out in public, irrespective of the weather conditions or time of year. During the summer all wrestlers tend to wear this attire.

Wearing yukata is not complicated as it looks. The left side of the yukata is wrapped over the right side (the reverse is to be avoided as only the dead at a funeral wears the right over the left), and an obi (belt) is used to keep the yukata from falling open when worn in public. In private, as after a bath, the yukata is usually simply belted. Also, a type of thonged wooden sandal called geta is usually worn with the yukata.

For normal daily or night attire, just the cotton sash is used. For festivals and public occasions a larger wider yukata belt as shown in the picture is worn for a more formal appearance. The belt is simply wrapped around the waist and tucked in at the edge. An obi belt can also be worn with the cotton yukata. A matching purse, tabi socks and japanese sandals complete the attire.

Female and Male Yukata set

Here are some fabulous pictures of yukata.

Ho ho....see, even the 'colonel' wears yukata \(^0^)Y

taken from :

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yukata,http://www.japaneselifestyle.com.au/fashion/yukata_kimono.html, www.jlifeinternational.com/apparel/index_e.html

edited & posted by: azie

Japanese Traditional Costume

The traditional forms of Japanese clothing or Japanese clothes in general are called ‘wafuku 和服’. Traditional Japanese clothing can be broken down into the following clothing categories:

• Kimono 着物- meaning clothing or things to wear is the basic Japanese clothing
  
• Yukata 浴衣 - the summer kimono
  
• Nagajugan 長襦袢 - undergarments
  
• Clothing Accessories - obi 帯, おび, shoes, socks, etc.
  
• Haori 羽織- short silk jackets
  
• Michiyuki 道行コート- Overcoats
  
• Hakama 袴- Japanese pants
  
• Uchikake 打掛 - most formal kimono
  
• Shiro-maku 白無垢打掛- wedding kimono
• 
  

Kimono

is a full-length traditional garment worn by women, men, and children., at different seasons and for different occasions like festivals, wedding, funerals and etc, and kimono accessories such as undergarments, footwear, and hair ornaments.

The Kimono (着物, Kimono, literally "something worn", i.e., "clothes") is the national costume of Japan. Kimono styles have changed significantly from one period of Japan's history to another, and today there are many different types of kimono worn by men, women, and children. The cut, color fabric, and decorations of a kimono may vary according to the sex, age, and marital status of the wearer, the season of the year, and the occasion for which the kimono is worn.

Kimonos are T-shaped, straight-lined robes that fall to the ankle, with collars and full-length sleeves. The sleeves are commonly very wide at the wrist, as much as a half meter. Traditionally, on special occasions unmarried women wear kimonos (furisode 振袖) with extremely long sleeves that extend almost to the floor. The robe is wrapped around the body, always with the left side over the right (it is only wrapped with the right side over the left when dressing the deceased for burial) and secured by a wide belt (obi) tied in the back. Kimonos are generally worn with traditional footwear (especially geta, thonged wood-platform footwear; and zori 草履, (a type of thong-like footwear) and split-toe socks (tabi 足袋).

Women Kimono

Women Kimono usually made by a sumptuous Japanese cotton polyester and silk fabrics and beautiful and exotic patterns. This patterns make these kimonos as elegant as any woman could ask. The kimonos are made in the traditional manner and with the highest quality traditional materials for complete authenticity. Each one is of heirloom quality and can be passed down for many generations.

Women's Sizes:

Medium 55-56"long fits up to 5'4"-5'6"(165lbs)
Large 58" long fits up to 5'7"-5'8"(175lbs)

Men's Kimono

Handsome kimonos in premium 100% cotton fabrics - made in Japan.

Men's Sizes
Small 55" - 56" long fits up to 5'4"-5'6"(165lbs)
Medium 58" long fits up to 5'7"-5'8"(175lbs)
Large 59" to 61" long fits up to 5'9"-6'(200lbs)
X-Large 63' - 64" long fits up to 6'1"-6'3"(250lbs)

Kimono Accessories

Tabi, Obi, Han Juban and other authentic items to complete your kimono and yukata ensembles. Wonderful Pre-tied Butterfly Obi, Bunka Obi and children's tye-died Obi.

from left : Han Juban, Tabi, Obi/Pre-tied Butterfly

Traditional Geta and Zori

Geta and zori are perfect for outdoor use, whether it's gardening in your back yard or a stroll through the neighborhood. The Traditional Geta and Zori are the same footwear used in Japan during summer time.

from left : Women's Geta, Men's Geta, Vinyl Zori, Tatami Zori

taken from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kimono, http://www.jlifeinternational.com/apparel/index_e.html

Y(^0^)Y