Edokomon? – What Kind Of Kimono? The History, The Way To Wear

Hi, what’s up?

Edokomon is a cloth which dyed tiny little patterns.

Patterns of Edokomon is smaller than Komon.

The difference between Edokomon and Komon is the wearing scene.

We wear Komon every day, but Edokomon is same as Iromuji, if Edokomon has a family crest, it becomes semi-formal wear.

The History Of Edokomon

The origin of Edokomon came from the “Kamishimo” which was samurai mainly wore.

For samurai, it was formal wear to go to the Edo castle.

It separated to two-parts: Kataginu and Hakama.

Each clan had own patterns and it was called “Sadame Komon” or “Tomegara”.

In the middle of the Edo era, each Daimyo started to use favorite patterns.

After that, common people fascinated by these patterns.

But they couldn’t use the same patterns as the samurai, so they started to dye various things from their life.

Because of sumptuary law, people tried to dye little patterns.

Those movements improved dyeing techniques.

Edokomon is named in the almost 50 years ago.

All of dyeing cloth was called Komon but after Mr. Kousuke Komiya certificated as the human national treasure.

Edokomon was named to distinct.

At the same time, Edokomon registered as traditional crafts in Tokyo.

How to make Edokomon?

The most important thing of Edokomon is “Katagami”:pattern paper.

Usually craftsman carves patterns on the Japanese paper.

Several Japanese paper sticks with persimmon.

Then it dries under the sunlight.

Finally smoked  by sawdust.

There are so many way to carve: “Kiribori”, “Hikibori”, “Tsukibori” and “Douguhori”.

It’s so hard to dye evenly on the 45 meters cloths.

Patterns and the scene

Representative patterns are like “SAME”, “GYOUGI” and “KAKUTOSHI”.

SAME : Tiny little dots constitutes circles and it seems like sharks skin.

This is one the most gorgeous pattern.

KAKUTOSHI : Little squares line up with regularity.

GYOUGI : It seems like KAKUTOSHI but this is slanting.

Classical patterns are mainly used by each Daimyo.

Also there are so many unique and witty patterns

Like “Hatsu Yume” which draw Mt.Fuji and eggplants.

Plus “Kanai Anzen”, “Setsugetuka” and “Daikon” and “Oroshi Gane”.

These things are called “Iware Komon” and we can wear in daily life.

Summary

When you see Edokomon from far away, it seems like Iromuji.

But If you see closely, tiny little patterns appears clearly.

Edokomon is such a quiet and fashionable.