kimono

The Victoria and Albert Museum in London host an exhibition on Kimonos. Japan has a very rich textile history, a major focus of interest and artistic expression being the kimono.

The kimono is a Japanese traditional garment worn by men, women and children. In kimono it is the pattern on the surface, rather than the cut of the garment, that is significant. Indications of social status, personal identity and cultural sensitivity are expressed through colour and decoration. The kimono worn by women, particularly the young, were the most richly decorated and it is generally these that survive in collections like that of the V&A.