Pose & style reference · Traditional clothing
Kimono
Also called: yukata, 着物, furisode, Japanese kimono
In short
The kimono is the traditional Japanese robe: a T-shaped, straight-seamed garment with wide sleeves, wrapped around the body left side over right and held with a wide sash called an obi. The yukata is its light, unlined cotton cousin, worn casually in summer and at festivals.
Reference photos
Photos are shown from mfan8.com with credit to the photographers and models. Tap a photo to open the full set.
Kimono basics and the left-over-right rule
A kimono is cut from straight panels of fabric, so its shape comes from how it is wrapped and tied, not from tailoring. The wearer's left panel always goes over the right. Wrapping it right over left is reserved for dressing the deceased, so getting the direction wrong is a noticeable mistake in drawings and photos.
Kimono are now mostly worn for ceremonies such as weddings, coming-of-age day, tea ceremony and New Year, while yukata are popular at summer festivals and fireworks displays.
Kimono vs yukata and other types
| Type | Look | When |
|---|---|---|
| Yukata | Light cotton, bold prints, simple obi, bare feet in geta | Summer festivals, hot springs |
| Furisode | Very long swinging sleeves, bright patterns | Formal wear for young unmarried women |
| Homongi | Pattern flows across seams over shoulders and hem | Semi-formal visits and parties |
| Komon | Small repeating pattern all over | Casual outings |
| Tomesode | Patterns only below the waist, usually black | Most formal wear for married women |
| Kimono with hakama | Pleated trousers or skirt over a kimono | Graduations, martial arts |
A formal kimono outfit adds an under-kimono collar showing at the neck, obi accessories such as the obijime cord, tabi socks and zori sandals.
How to draw a kimono
- Draw the collar as a V that closes left over right and sits a little away from the back of the neck; the back collar dips to show the nape.
- The body is a fairly straight tube from chest to ankles. Kimono flatten curves, so avoid tight waist shaping.
- The obi is a wide band around the waist; most of the decoration is the knot at the back, so plan a back or three-quarter view to show it.
- Sleeves hang from the arm in a rectangle with a rounded lower corner; the long sleeves of a furisode almost reach the ankles.
- Steps are short because the skirt is narrow; the hem wraps tightly around the ankles.
Wearing and photographing a kimono
If you are not used to dressing in kimono, a yukata is much easier to put on yourself. Check the wrap direction in a mirror and keep the collar crossing neatly at the throat.
Kimono reward quiet, graceful posture: knees together, small steps, one hand holding the opposite sleeve when reaching out. Looking back over the shoulder shows both the nape and the obi knot. Gardens, wooden houses, shrines (where photography is allowed) and festival lanterns are classic settings.
FAQ
Which side goes on top in a kimono?
The wearer's left side goes over the right. Right over left is used only when dressing the deceased.
What is the difference between a kimono and a yukata?
A yukata is a lightweight, unlined cotton robe for summer and casual events. A kimono is usually silk, lined and worn with more layers and accessories.
What is an obi?
The obi is the wide sash wrapped around the waist of a kimono or yukata and tied in a decorative knot, usually at the back.