Japan

Origami clothes

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I think most people are familiar with the kimono. The design looks rather simple: a long straight robe with flowing sleeves, a wide flat belt.

My friend and I wearing kimono. Look at those flowing sleeves! (also the flowers behind us even though it is December.
My friend S and I wearing kimono. Look at those flowing sleeves! (Also the flowers behind us even though it is December….)

But if you want to wear kimono, you will hear phrases such as, “Oh, do you have someone to help you get dressed?”  Well I am an adult, surely I can dress myself…?  Possibly. There exist such things as pre-tied obi (the wide fabric belt) made especially for people who don’t have someone to help them tie it. But for the real thing you need a real dressing assistant!

Last weekend I got to experience “being dressed” by a certified kimono dresser. She studied for 4 years. When I asked why she became a kimono dresser she answered, “Because I love kimono.” Good answer!

You might think this type of job wouldn’t keep a person very busy, but there are all sorts of occasions that people wear kimono in Japan. She said she works sometimes at children’s photography studios (which look a bit like a dress-up shop with racks and racks of colourful kimono for children to wear for the photos).

Being dressed.
Being dressed by a professional. She is tying the string into a fancy knot like the green one on the left.

I got the feeling that wearing a kimono, especially the obi, is like wearing a form of origami.  Even though the fabric is thick she made very specific folds to get impressive results. Here are some photos that show a bit of the process:

M with the kimono draped to check the colour. She looks great in red!
My friend M with the kimono draped to check the colour. She looks great in red! Here the kimono looks very bulky, not the straight lines we are used to seeing.

Above you can see that the kimono is dragging on the floor.  Even for a tall person like M, it is much too long, but this part of the design; this way it can fit almost anyone. The kimono bottom is arranged to the right length, excess fabric is folded up and held in place using strips of fabric.

The fabric that isn't needed to get the right length is folded and tied in place.
The fabric that isn’t needed to get the right length is folded and tied in place. There are pins on the back of the collar and the sleeve. The pink at the bottom  left is the under-kimono showing through the opening in the sleeve. [photo from M’s facebook]
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The obi is folded, wrapped and tied…

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A small pillow is tied under the bo to give it lift!
A small pillow is tied under the obi to give it lift! You can see some white ties at the center holding the bow in place.
The yellow towel-like tie covers the pillow.
The yellow towel-like tie covers the pillow.
She’s putting a tie through the loop of the bow. [ photo from M’s facebook ]
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She taps on the fold to get the right shape.
Close up on the obi. You can really see the textures of the fabric. And appreciate how much like origami this is!!
Close up on the obi. You can really see the textures of the fabric. And appreciate how much like origami this is!!
Finished look from the front!
Finished look from the front! The yellow towel-like part at the top of the obi is the one covering the pillow. You can see the collar of the under-kimono peeking through. The dark blue layer is actually just a long rectangular panel that is added for contrast.
View of M's finished obi and another design on my friend S
View of M’s finished obi and another folding technique worn by my friend S.

In total she dressed and tied obi for 5 people in 4 hours. Otsukaresama deshita!!  Some of us wore the same kimono and obi but each one was tied in a different design.

Here is my obi in the tying stage. you can see the string that is through the bow very clearly here. [from M's fb]
Here is my obi in the tying stage. you can see the string that is through the bow very clearly here. Also notice all the pins!   [photo from M’s fb]
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The final product!
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We met some exchange students from Okayama University at this event. Here they are wearing the same kimono and obi as M and myself. The folding on the right is absolutely amazing!!!! I wish I had more of the process.

Wearing the obi feels like you are wearing armour. I’m pretty sure my abdomen would be safe from arrow shots while wearing it. But it’s also very difficult to bend. I should have put my tabi socks on before getting my obi done, but they were being worn by someone else. So once they were free I needed people to help put on my socks too!!

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Tabi are fastened with clips like on pants closures. I think they are very cool, even if they were maybe a little small….

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In the end, it all folds up into a flat rectangle.

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6 thoughts on “Origami clothes”

  2. They look very beautiful. Clark brought me one from Japan when he visited there a few years ago. It is too long so now I know how to handle that. I didn’t get an obi so maybe I can make one to improvise. love
    Grandma

    1. Grandma : I’m glad you are able to read the blog now! I’m sure you could make something since obi are just big long rectangles. It just might be hard to tie on your own.
      If you scroll on this page there is a picture of a “pre-tied” obi, which just uses strings to tie and then you attach the bow separately. http://www.thekimonolady.com/2010/02/kimono-secret-arsenal-tsukuri-obi.html

      Because you are crafty I’m sure you could figure out sometime similar. Another idea is a wide wrap around belt, perhaps something like this: http://mightygoods.com/archives/2011/03/obi-belt

      1. I did get an obi at a “resaikuru shoppu” (Recycle shop/consignment store) when I was in Yokohama but have never used it. It’s a nice piece of silk so could be easily turned into a table cloth for a narrow table or fireplace mantle or something.
        Nice to find out you have a blog.

  3. This kind of reminds me of the headdresses worn at special occasions in some West African communities. When I got mine done in May, it was also quite the process, except once this is done, it is done for good, so I had to leave mine with my partner when I returned to Canada. Probably for the better. There are more chances I’ll have a use for it there than here anyways.

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