We’ve been studying Japan in our Mystery of History Volume 2. We love it! This particular day the activities included a little research on kimonos and Japanese clothing. We learned some new things about kimonos that I thought fun to share.
There is a right way and a wrong way to wear a kimono.
(Who knew? I assume the whole of Japanese culture does, but I did not.)
In the 1100′s the royals would wear up to 16 kimono layers.
(Habanero says he’d be happy to have been a poor person in that case.)
If you wear a kimono wrongly, that’s how a corpse would be dressed.
(Who knew left and right could be so important?)
Right and then left over top = living.
Left and then right over top = not living or faux pas.
(This is one of those times you hope clothing does not, in fact, make the man.)
We’ve enjoyed The Mystery of History this year. It’s led us to some interesting things…
I had no idea there were right and wrongs for kimono wearing. It’s good to be informed on these matters! :> )
Blessings~
Laura
Right? I mean, now we know who we’re talking to: native, impostor, or dead person. It’s handy.