It is definitely summer now. Rainy weather is over 12 days too later than usual this year, the sun is burning a hole in your skin and matsuri (festival) posters are up at every street corner.
The significance of natsu matsuri(summer festival) for the japanese people is great, for it is the largest celebration of the year for the whole nation. Every town have their own little matsuri but some managed to make it so big, it became a national event. Like the hanabi (fireworks) matsuri in Niigata, unfortunately due to the devastation caused by the earthquake a couple of weeks ago, this year they will not be having a hanabi matsuri. Believe me when I say the citizens of Niigata and everywhere else are really disappointed.
OK, back to natsu matsuri official costume! That has to be the yukata! It is a lightweight cotton version of the kimono. Less formal and tons lighter, it was originally a housecoat or pajamas to be worn indoors. Then it became glorified when the rich popularized public baths, yukata is the bathrobe to be worn after a relaxing bath, for both men and women.
Eventually, it became a norm to wear a yukata to your local natsu matsuri because it is cooler to stroll through heavy crowds. And that is definitely an argument men came up with. You see, men's yukata consists of a pair of short underpants and a yukata with a casual sash to hold it up. If he chooses to wander out wearing it, he can replace the sash with a more formal obi.
But for us ladies, it is at least 2 layers of clothings for us, the full undergarment under the yukata and an obi. That itself defeats the theory of keeping cool in hot weather.
Men's yukata are always in subdued colors, but the way they waddle around in one do remind you of the brave samurai of the past. It is no wonder the trend of men wearing yukata is picking up again.
For the ladies, a yukata get up consists of matching purse, clog slippers, obi and hair accessories. The main aim is to make the wearer as colorful, as bright as possible. Summer yukata are always bright in colors, accessories are candy-colored, all to portray the gaiety of the season. So what is the trend this year? The obi has been replaced by the even less formal children obi sash. Not only are these sashes screaming bright colors, they are easy to tie with just a knot at the back and made of bubble cloth so the ends jaunts ever so lightly as the wearer walks.
It had been said that when one puts on the yukata, one wears the heart of Japan proudly on one's body. Every japanese wear these restraints with heartfelt pride, but when it is removed the moment we reach home after all that partying? Imagine that!
The significance of natsu matsuri(summer festival) for the japanese people is great, for it is the largest celebration of the year for the whole nation. Every town have their own little matsuri but some managed to make it so big, it became a national event. Like the hanabi (fireworks) matsuri in Niigata, unfortunately due to the devastation caused by the earthquake a couple of weeks ago, this year they will not be having a hanabi matsuri. Believe me when I say the citizens of Niigata and everywhere else are really disappointed.
OK, back to natsu matsuri official costume! That has to be the yukata! It is a lightweight cotton version of the kimono. Less formal and tons lighter, it was originally a housecoat or pajamas to be worn indoors. Then it became glorified when the rich popularized public baths, yukata is the bathrobe to be worn after a relaxing bath, for both men and women.
Eventually, it became a norm to wear a yukata to your local natsu matsuri because it is cooler to stroll through heavy crowds. And that is definitely an argument men came up with. You see, men's yukata consists of a pair of short underpants and a yukata with a casual sash to hold it up. If he chooses to wander out wearing it, he can replace the sash with a more formal obi.
But for us ladies, it is at least 2 layers of clothings for us, the full undergarment under the yukata and an obi. That itself defeats the theory of keeping cool in hot weather.
Men's yukata are always in subdued colors, but the way they waddle around in one do remind you of the brave samurai of the past. It is no wonder the trend of men wearing yukata is picking up again.
For the ladies, a yukata get up consists of matching purse, clog slippers, obi and hair accessories. The main aim is to make the wearer as colorful, as bright as possible. Summer yukata are always bright in colors, accessories are candy-colored, all to portray the gaiety of the season. So what is the trend this year? The obi has been replaced by the even less formal children obi sash. Not only are these sashes screaming bright colors, they are easy to tie with just a knot at the back and made of bubble cloth so the ends jaunts ever so lightly as the wearer walks.
It had been said that when one puts on the yukata, one wears the heart of Japan proudly on one's body. Every japanese wear these restraints with heartfelt pride, but when it is removed the moment we reach home after all that partying? Imagine that!
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