Yukata (Light Japanese Robe)
Unlined cotton kimono worn in summer
The yukata originated from the "yu-katabira", a linen bathing gown worn by the upper classes during the Heian period (794-1185) when bathing in a steam bath. Toward the end of the Muromachi period (1336-1573), there was a custom of giving yukata to samurai and court nobles during a hot-spring cure as a get-well gift.
Eventually, around the Genroku era (1688-1704) in the Edo period (1603-1868), with the wide spread of cotton fabrics and public bathhouses, cotton yukata came to be used by ordinary people after bathing, and therefore the term "yukata" (bathrobe) took root. There are also records that yukata were used by common people during the Edo period as summer loungewear, simple daily wear, and as an alternative to a raincoat for protecting against rain, snow, and dust. Furthermore, yukata have also been used as outfits for Bon dances (dance festivals held in mid-August) and religious festivals since the early Edo period. "Nagaita-chūgata" is a traditional dyeing technique for yukata that has been handed down since the Edo period. In "nagaita-chūgata", a cotton fabric is pasted on a six-and-a-half meter long board, where an openwork paper pattern is placed on it, and a glue coating is applied on both sides of the fabric, then it is soaked in natural indigo and dyed.
In the Meiji period (1868-1912), a dyeing method called "chūsen" was invented, wherein a fabric is spread on a longboard and a pattern paper is placed on it, coated with glue, and then a new layer of fabric and glue is spread on top of it, making it possible to mass-produce yukata, which became popular as daily summer wear.
Today, machine-dyed prints are the mainstream, but yukata are still widely worn at summer festivals, bon dances, fireworks displays, and other events, as well as at hot spring resorts, and on summer outings.
Related People, Things and Events
Books
Related Works
Yukata depicted in paintings
Paper patterns
Rolls of fabric
Designs
Photographic materials
Videos
Past Exhibitions
| Title | shusai | Place | open | close |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Institutions and External Links
he National Museum of Ethnology, Japan (Minpaku) is the only research institute of cultural anthropology and ethnology in the world, that is equipped with one of the world’s largest museum facilities as well as post-graduate educational facilities.
The museum was established as the Prefectural Museum in 1971 to mark the 100th anniversary of Saitama. In 2006 it was reborn as the Museum of History and Folklore. The museum celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2011. The comprehensive museum covers history, folklore and art. The main theme of the standing exhibition room is the lifestyles and culture of Saitama's people. There is also a special exhibition room with separately determined themes, and a seasonal exhibition room focusing on the spirit of the seasons.
浴衣をを通じて「きもの」への理解を深める体験型教育プログラムを開発することを目指したプロジェクト。ゆかたの歴史、構成、各部名称、着方、たたみ方、布地などについて解説。
国立国会図書館の所蔵資料と共に、浴衣の歴史を紹介。
小紋や浴衣、友禅などの着物の染色のために用いられた「伊勢型紙」のデジタルアーカイブ。
References
- 日立デジタル平凡社,平凡社
