Nowadays...
Nowadays, paintings and patterns on tomesode are shown only lower part of its tomesode kimono,
so-called edozuma boomed by Geisha in the edo era.
Petit Japon Top / Musée de kimono / Types of kimono / Tomesode
Tomesode
Tomesode is...
Tomesode is a style of kimono.
It is the most formal style and highest class of kimono worn by married women in Japan.
During edo era, long sleeves of frisode which was worn by young people who were just married,
were folded in half and fixed as custom. It was so called tomesode.
In the course of time the name of tomesode changed for married women.
Kuro-tomesode which is...
Kuro-tomesode which is worn by married women at a wedding ceremony,
means that a ground color is based on black (kuro in Japanese) and designs are shown on sleeves.
Basically, there are five family marks on kuro-tomesode where are on a back, sleeves and chest sides.
Iro-tomesode which does...
Iro-tomesode which does not color black, is less formal than kuro-tomesode.
It does not matter whether five family marks on it or not and is also worn by unmarried women.
In the imperial house, wearing black color-ed kimono is under taboo.
When married women from public meet any royal family members, they mostly wear iro-tomesode.