The Japanese Kimono

Kimono is a japanese word that describes the traditional nipon costume,worn both by men and women. The term is of rather recent origins, dating back in the 19th century, when it was introduced to clearly mark the limits between Western clothing, yokufu, and wafuku, the japanese traditional costumes. Kimono comes from kiru(to wear) and mono(thing) and therefore literary means "thing to wear". The japanese kimono is said to had been influenced by the Chinese traditional costumes used during the Han period( apx. II century A.D.).

The kimono comes, invariable, in a fixed, universal size, its lenght being adjusted by a binding silk cord, its margins folding over it. The kimono's colours had to be chosen carefully, as they indicated the owner's rank in society. The kimono cult blossomed during the Edo age. The trend was set by kabukiactors and high class dames.

The kimono tradition spread all across Japan, this costume being mass-worn by all social strata of the japanese society. That until the Meiji period, when Western clothing became a compulsory requirement for all those helding public functions; even in this conditions, many women kept wearing the traditional kimono long after the II World War.

Nowdays, the kimono costume is being worn only at special occasions, like weddings, New Year's Eve or during the tea ceremony. The kimono cloth, as well as its colours and decorations carry information in relation with the owner's age and social status. Also the adroid mix of accessories and the colour palette can tell a lot about his/her personality. The entire outfit has to be carefully calculated in respect with the season in which it is worn. In such way, dull colours are used in the spring time, while bleak hues are appropriate during the summer. For autumn, the kimono colours are more nature-like, while in winter the most common are the strong hues, like red or black.
A traditional Kimono can be very expensive, starting from 10.000 $ up. This hasn't to be such a huge surprise, if we consider that it is hand weaved and hand painted using ancient japanese techniques.

How to behave at a Japanese tea ceremony

If you are lucky enough as to be invited to a japanese tea ceremony, you have to study its history and meaning and expect to have a long relaxing adventure, if we only consider that a complete tea ceremony can go up to 5 hours. It consists of three major stages. For starters you will be served kaiseki- a kind of appetizer, then koicha- a dense thick tea and, at the end, usucha- a light tea. Considering it's duration, the tea ceremony usually is restricted to the last part.
Those who decide to follow exactly the ancient tea custom have to abide by a multitude of strict rules, even before the proper ceremony begins. The traditional Kimono is a must and the location of the ceremony( chashitsu- the tea house) has to be perfectly cleaned. None of the ceremonial utensils are randomly chosen: they are all cosiderably old, except the bamboo bowl and a napking used for wiping, who have to be immaculate white. You also have to pay attention to way of saluting, of sitting at the table or the way to pour out the tea into the tiny cups. Conversation also plays a key role and usually is centered on origins of the utensils, on prasing the beauty of the host's gestures, of the ceremonial and natural beauty in general.
The traditional japanese tea ceremony takes place in special arranged rooms; the guest's itinerary starts from a waiting room, followed by a garden and a further passage through a gate. Then they wash their hands and mouth, in order to purify themselves and after that they finally enter the chashitsu. There is no talking during this interval, so the guests are guided just by the host's gestures. The tea room is extremely simple, as it contains only a small table for serving tea, a traditional painted parchment and a few mats: the host and the most honoured guest sit on one mat, the rest of the guest on a second mat and utensils are all put on a third one. After all the guests have payed a close look to the parchment they are served appetizers, called chakaiseki. After that they are invited to the garden, as the host has an significant task ahead: preparing the tea and changing the parchment with a floral arrangement called chabana.
With 5 gong beatings or 7 bells( depending if the ceremony is taking place during the day or night time) the guests are called back into the chashitsu. While they are admiring the chabana the host brings all the utensils required for the tea ceremony: a large cup, a bamboo whisk, napking, a vase with water for washing, a silk handkerchief and a bamboo ladle.
But how is the tea prepared? The powder tea is poured into a cup and then you pour water heated at 60 degrees Celsius. Afterwards you mix it with a bamboo stick untill it turns foamy. The cup is then offered to the first guest. The later performs a bow, uplifts and rotates the tea cup, tastes it and then he gives it away to the next person, till the cup comes back to the host.