Wedding Kimono Colors and Motifs

A reader recently asked about wedding kimono colors and motifs, so here's my quick translation and summary on exactly this topic from a Japanese wedding/special occasion florist site. :)

Colors

"There are what are called the "three primary colors" for a Japanese wedding kimono: white, black and red.

White can be seen on shiromuku (all white wedding kimono) and black in some hikizuri (trailing kimono), but where do we see red used?

Red is a truly supreme color when used with "color-uchikake" (non-white overcoat wedding kimono). Note that by "red", I mean only a true vermilion. This red is a classic and traditional Japanese color.

It is a lively color with several meanings: strong magic, protection from disaster, and exorcism of bad luck or bad spirits."

It goes on to say that due to use from noble houses, red also has the feeling of being a rich, splendid color.

"However, when it comes to choosing wedding kimono, you're not limited strictly to red, black, or white. For example, purple gives the feeling of nobility and high class, green suggests harmony, and pink gives a feeling of happiness."

Because the bride is so important, the company advises readers to carefully consider the colors used in the wedding hall so the bride's kimono doesn't get visually lost in a bunch of colors.

Patterns

There are many auspicious patterns for wedding kimono.

"When we say 'auspicious patterns', we mean things like the classic 'pine/bamboo/plum' combination motif, cranes, tortoises, and phoenixes.

(Here the tortoise is included
with the plum, pine, bamboo motif.)

Other 'auspicious motifs' include the geometric "shippo", the 'treasure ship' motif (a ship laden with treasure or containing the Seven Immortals), Heian-era ox-drawn carriages, or any motif with lucky connotations."

You can also choose a motif that is not specifically an auspicious motif, but in that case you need to carefully consider the season of the motif you want to use.

If the kimono contains auspicious motifs, it can be worn any time of year, but if it has a normal motif it is bound by that motif's seasonality in terms of when you can wear it. For example, it wouldn't look good to wear a fall-themed kimono with red maple leaves to a spring wedding.

"The next point to consider is the proportion of your body to the designs on the kimono. Tall or bigger people should go for large, boldly sized designs and short or smaller people should go with smaller, finer designs. Generally speaking, you want to create balance between yourself and the kimono."

Always double-check your height and the kimono's height as you'll need to both take pictures and walk in it.

All images from Ichiroya and used with permission.
Source: Dramatic Flowers

Secrets of the Apprentice Geisha TV Show

Maiko, apprentice geisha, are mysterious even to many Japanese, and on this variety show, they go through a list of things viewers might be surprised to learn about maiko.

Maiko Kanoyumi is the guest. Here's a quick rundown of what they talk about!



Included are the following "secrets":

-They can't use their cell phones in front of people.

-They wear kimono everyday.

-They don't wash their hair for a week (due to it having to be set in the traditional style with camellia oil, etc.).

-They have lessons everyday.

-They are not supposed to talk when walking down a street (to add to their elegant personas, I believe).

-They are not supposed to enter any "low-brow" places like convenience stores, Starbucks, or McDonald's.

-For one month they wear the same hairpin decorations (kanzashi). (The reason for this is the kanzashi reflect the seasonal flowers or motifs of each month.)

-For one month they wear the same formal kimono when they dress up. (Same reason as the kanzashi.)

-They wear tall wooden "okobo" clogs.

-They call male guests "onii-san" (older brother) and female guests "onee-san" (older sister). I've read this is to respect their privacy at parties, where things can easily be overheard in other rooms.

At the end there's a funny bit where one man in the host audience asks Kanoyumi about the hair washing, and what day in the 7 days it is. She says it's been three days since she's washed her hair, and he asks the old man next to her to smell her hair.

He pronounces it "good-smelling." The maiko and the guy in front (I'm assuming a sumo wrestler) say they do the same sort of hair styling, so the guy asks the old man to smell his hair too! He agrees that it's the same good smell. :)