Accession Number
2016/2.14

Title
Wedding Kimono

Artist(s)
Japanese

Artist Nationality
Japanese (culture or style)

Object Creation Date
circa 1980

Medium & Support
embroidered silk

Dimensions
72 in x 51 in (182.88 cm x 129.54 cm)

Credit Line
Gift of Virginia and William Parmley Dixon to honor their 75th wedding anniversary on August 31, 2016

Subject matter
Japanese wedding kimono is a traditional costume peculiar to the land of the rising sun. And this unique dress definitely appears in an important event of Japanese people, wedding – the once in a lifetime occasion. If it is the traditional Shinto-style wedding, Japanese brides shall wear gorgeous kimonos on this special day. There are many types of wedding kimonofor them to choose from.
Shiromuku is originally worn by brides from the samurai families. It is a mostly white ensemble that stands out among all of kimono wedding dresses. The reason for Shiromuku being the most popular wedding kimono is that its white color symbolizes the pureness, cleanness or virginity. Another profound meaning is that the brides will take on the other color of the grooms or accept the values and ideas of the grooms’ families.
Japanese wedding kimono has many other types of colorful dresses, not only the all-white Shiromuku. Uchikake is a long outer robe that can be in white or red – orange. Japanese brides would wear uchikake over kakeshita kimono. The patterns on this kimono are elegant roses and Western motifs colored in pastel pink or purple shades, which gives the dress a very refreshing and contemporary beauty.
Hikifurisode is most favored Japanese wedding kimono nowadays. Actually, this wedding dress has been popular since the Edo period. In the past, it was worn by the brides from wealthy samurai families. Today, the brides wear hikifurisode right after the wedding ceremony. When wearing this dress, the bride’s hair is in modern Western style.
Kakeshita is a traditional Japanese wedding dress also in furisode style that has long sleeves with a slightly padded hem at the bottom. The hem is made of precious and luxurious fabrics, such as “Morinzu” or “Habutae” silk.


https://questionjapan.com/blog/location-guides/japanese-wedding-kimono/

Physical Description
Embroidered kimono with a cream background and gold, green, and orange embroidery depicting trees and flowers. The interior is orange and the bottom hem is stuffed. 

Primary Object Classification
Textile

Primary Object Type
kimono

Collection Area
Asian

Rights
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