Japanese art covers a wide range of art styles,periods and media. The Kimono dates back to the 8th century and is a symbol of the Japanese culture. Originally the word, "kimono" was the Japanese word for "clothing". The kimono is a T-shape style of clothing that is worn wrapped across the front like a jacket and tied with a sash (obi). This type of clothing offered many advantages to the Japanese culture. The wearer of the garment did not have to be concerned with the size (one size fit all), and the Kimonos were easy to fold and adaptable to different seasonal weather. Certain colors were worn to express status and for communication. The Japanese culture blends an appreciation for nature with everyday life into the designs on the kimonos. Nowadays, Japanese people rarely wear Kimonos in everyday life; they are reserved for weddings, funerals, custom rituals and other celebrations. This gallery also includes the artwork of Katsushika Hokusai, a Japanese artist from the Edo period. He is one of the most famous printmakers of the 19th century. We will look at his work for artistic inspiration in the creation of our Kimono designs.
