kimono (着物, きもの)

Japanese. ‘Thing to wear’. Name for a Japanese traditional robe. There are many different kinds and styles of dress and its use varies from a very formal style, worn on important festivals and occasions, to the more casual. The garment is closely associated with politeness and good manners, and is usually full-length, though one kind of kimono, referred to as susohiki (裾引き - fig.) and typically worn by geisha (芸者), is usually longer than the standard norm and commonly trails on the floor, whereas the jinbaori (陣羽織), which was specifically designed for samurai to wear (fig.), consists of only a hip- or thigh-length jacket. See also TRAVEL PICTURES. 回