Certified Kimono Expert Answers most Googled Kimono Questions

In this video I'm going to answer the most googled kimono questions. Find out what type of kimono Nezuko and Tanjiro wear, but also what type of kimono geisha and samurai wear. Find out if wearing kimono is cultural appropriation, which way you should wrap your kimono, what kimono consist of, how heavy kimono are and more.
00:00 Let's get started
00:28 Do kimono have pockets?
01:27 Does kimono have a plural?
02:32 How much do kimono cost?
03:51 What does a kimono look like?
04:05 Which way does a kimono wrap?
06:44 What does a kimono consist of?
07:23 What does kimono mean?
08:12 How much does a kimono weigh?
09:58 What do kimono symbolize?
10:09 What do kimono colors mean?
12:46 What do kimono jackets go with?
13:00 What size of kimono do I need?
13:33 What type of kimono do geisha wear?
14:32 What type of kimono does Nezuko wear?
15:57 What type of kimono does Tanjiro wear?
16:23 What type of kimono did samurai wear?
20:05 How are kimono made?
20:27 How are kimono worn?
20:36 Why is kimono cultural appropriation?
21:38 Which kimono girl has which Pokemon?
Modern way to make a kimono:
• How to Make an *Authen...
Traditional way to make a kimono:
• I sewed a kimono with ...
Thank you so much for watching!!
Meet me on Patreon in an online kimono workshop twice a month!
/ billymatsunaga
You wanna know more about kimono? Find more on my blog.
→ kumakimonokoi.wordpress.com/ ←
Instagram
@biriinyan ( biriinyan?...)
Twitter
@briinyan ( / biriinyan )
Music:
"Mizuki" by Bad Snacks
"Kimono Life" by Sondey
Intro Soundeffect:
Kabuki Shout ち音楽堂 (www.c-ongaku.com/ongaku2.html)

[@hyakki5287]

Just wanna say thank you so much for your channel especially your tutorials, I’ve just started sewing kimono for cosplay and your channel has been an absolute lifesaver!

[@BillyMatsunaga]

Thank you so much!!! ❤️💕 hope the kimono will bring you lots of joy!

[@heathermclaren9506]

I love this kind of video - a knowledgeable person telling you interesting stuff 😄 Also I find the idea of a "living treasure" absolutely wonderful, that should definitely be encouraged in other countries! What a way to respect our crafts ❤

[@Koralgolster]

I liked how Lindsay Ellis explained cultural appropriation in her video essay about Pocahontas - that it's using elements of a culture that is not ours - but that it is in its essence neutral. It's more the context of that appropriation that may make it negative. So in that respect wearing kimono by westerners is cultural appropriation but it may be done in a respectful way or it may for example be fetishised - at which point we're shifting from that safe zone into a minefield

[@Koralgolster]

And I'm saying this as a white person who watches your videos in order to be able to wear my kimono 😅 Basically we're all in a dicey territory 😅

[@6pigeons]

Really fun video! And thank you SO MUCH for addressing the plural issue. It drives me nuts when people say "kimonos"

[@qamarashkar1881]

video topic suggestion: can you talk about the kabukimono phenomenon and things similiar to it? a little of it's history and how it influenced and where did they get the resources in different eras and places maybe and just the whole idea of it fashion wise espaacially cus when "gangs" form around the world they don't get as creative and artistic lol and ik it wasn't just a gangster hipster thing but i'd love to hear what you know and your perspective on it

[@yzqc]

Oh wow, you hair Billy!!! I love it !!!!

[@l.griffin2324]

Thank you for the mention of the 719 law! You've done this in other videos, and I find that learning the reason behind many fashion changes helps me remember. Loving the historical context here. Edit: 719, not 1719. One digit makes a thousand years of difference. Thank you again!

[@BillyMatsunaga]

It’s 719 ☺️

[@christinamay353]

Greetings Billy, your videos are amazing. I'm looking to make a kisode for a Japanese themed medieval pre 16th century event. You give so much good info!

[@kakumee]

Wow your new hair color is soooo pretty!!

[@DebbieWeilandGIRLFRIDAY]

Glad to see you posting again. I love your videos

[@saram.2583]

Thank you so much. Your channel is honestly my favorite!

[@WJuliet61]

Your channel really inspired me to get back into traditional Japanese fashion. Recently at a local vintage store, I saw many different kimonos and obis. As soon as I have the money, I'll purchase whatever they may have left, and try learning how to dress myself in them. Your channel I know will be a prefect guide.

[@shimekacroquetilla9048]

This is the best channel for kimono daily life! PERIODT!!!

[@cassiedierkes7588]

Thank you for this! Love your channel!

[@user_hariklyrosa]

ahhh welcome back!!!

[@siby913]

This is a great video!👍👍😊 As always👍😊!!

[@Marianneduetje]

Thank you, this has been so informative. For instance then information regarding the influence of Chinese custom on clothing is something I did not read about as yet! I certainly will try to find books about this

[@BillyMatsunaga]

You’ll have to read about Nara and Heian period’s court gown development and then it will sure pop up.

[@tamaratamtammorris8151]

Thank you for this video. I learned a lot from it, and your channel in general about Japanese fashion and culture.

[@drhotdog489]

Your hair!!! Wow I’m so blown away I love your look in this video 🥰

[@LinRuiEn]

Thank you so much for your videos. This may sound silly, but I watch them often for tips on how to dress my dolls; I found two very adorable Japanese dolls at a thrift store, but one came with a very plain and basic kimono, and the other came with an ill-fitted kimono with no Obi. Now that I have watched you, my dolls are dressed so beautifully!

[@anncortez4056]

Love your hair It Looks good

[@mayalynn]

Omg, your tiny voice with the voice changer is what I must have sounded like as an annoying teen at anime conventions. Thank you for everything you do and all the resources you've brought to the English-speaking kimono community. I am so excited to keep following and learning!

[@robinmackillop4821]

The way you answered the "what do kimono symbolize" question made me laugh out loud. So perfect. 😂

[@radianttakanuva8388]

Thank you for the great video Billy Matsunaga - it's been fascinating to learn about kitsuke as an art. Would you have advice for any men getting into kitsuke who might want to play with more colorful kimono, haori, hakama, etc or more fun obi knots? I've been having trouble finding anything beyond indigo, and maybe grey or dark greens

[@dakotatwilight]

Thank you for this video! It was exactly what I needed. It was good to giggle about some of the questions. I always learn something new.

[@BillyMatsunaga]

I’m happy to to cheer you up!

[@curry5136]

Danke für das Video! Ich fand's sehr informativ :D Es hat mir meine Lernpause zwischen den Klausuren sehr versüßt. Ich hoffe echt, dass ich nach den Klausuren endlich Zeit finde meinen Kimono fertig zunähen und zu färben... Ich bin mir nicht sicher, ob es Fotos davon gibt, aber mir ist vor einigen Jahren mal eine junge Frau begegnet, die einen Nachtara-inspirierten Kimono getragen hat. Aber selbst wenn wären die Fotos wahrscheinlich eher schwer zu finden 🥲

[@LittleBlueHenSoap]

I love your hair!!! 😍

[@BillyMatsunaga]

Thank you ☺️❤️

[@ceruleanskies001]

This was fun! I keep trying to type my favorite parts and I keep backspacing. Stand outs were debunking colors and insights into historical pieces like what samurai wore. I recently watched a video about the most expensive kimonos and how they were made and the craftsmanship was amazing. I wonder now if any of those people would be a national treasure you mentioned.

[@christinecharbonneau4448]

I love your videos Billy! I enjoy learning from you. I got the pieces I need for a basic kimono, but I have a western body. I am afraid that appropriately padding myself will make me look like a beer barrel! You look wonderful in yours. I think wearing kimono helps you feel differently about yourself-like any unique clothing style. Another form of self expression.

[@kristinlapolla935]

I have just recently found you videos and I am amazed at your clear explanations and knowledge of Kimono and Kitsuke. I have had a blossoming love of learning more of kimono/kitsuke and I thank you so much for sharing tour knowledge. I have a few kimono of my own that I have wanted to wear respectfully and your videos have helped me to know what it it I need additionally to do so. I did have one question for you, I have a Furisode and was unsure how to wear the Obi, is there a "specific" tie for them? I'd love to hear from you.

[@mauded5962]

Hi Billy, thank you so much for your videos! Reliable information can be hard to find unless one understands Japanese. Here's an idea if you haven't already covered this (I am checking your video library now 😉) - I would love to learn more about wedding kimono (I am thinking of shiromuku, iro uchikake and what is worn by the groom.. there may be other types that I don't know of). The accessories that are worn alongside the kimono also seem to have an interesting story. I have been doing research ahead of my wedding in May but I am not sure that what I read is accurate or not. Tha you very much!

[@WantedVisual]

The kimono girls are part of the Pokemon Gold/Silver/Crystal/HeartGold/SoulSilver games. They are battle opponents dressed in furisode who use the first and second generations evolutions of Eevee. The question in google is relevant because the pokemon they use swap between games--Except for Kuni, who always uses vaporeon, and Zuki, who always uses your fave, Umbreon. Also, I think you can get Nidoran by transferring them in via Pokemon HOME from, for example, Pokemon Go.

[@BillyMatsunaga]

Oh! Now I’ve reason to actually check out gold/silver/crystal! Thanks for clarifying! Oh… I don’t have Pokémon Go. So let’s see if I can find a way. But it’s also not that fun as running around in the game and suddenly find a Nidoran 🥲

[@nezu_cc]

Nice video, maybe part 2 in the future with viewer-submitted questions? QNA style

[@BillyMatsunaga]

I’ve done that already twice. Will probably come back 😉

[@crispinsday4755]

I've just started watching the Grand Sumo championships and I was wondering if you could do a video on what the sumo wrestlers and the referees wear? The referees in particular have amazing kimono!

[@paulacastanheira8499]

Nidoran maybe you can pass it from Go to Home and then to Scarlet ;p But Evee rules.

[@CometDancerr]

i wore right over left the other day and didnt realize it until after I was looking back at photos.. i was so embarrassed 😭

[@persis63]

Trilingue : allemand, anglais, japonais ! Félicitations.

[@nikolatesla8208]

actually a question that is wandering through my head for quite a while now is: "why do women leave the neck area open while men don't?" In mediveal Europa it was considered very taboo to see a womans neck (thats also the reason why they don't bow but are curtsying).

[@jackiejames4551]

My question is, what's the weirdest thing people have said to you regarding kimono? 👘

[@moonrisehowler1842]

Your outfit is super cute! It compliments your hair very nicely! It’s great to see you upload again. I have a question for you: For cherry blossoms this year I’ve been thinking about sewing another kimono (through your guided video!), but I can’t find any good tutorials on how to line a kimono. Last year was quite chilly where I live, the blossoms were literally being blown off by the wind! 😅I know there’s a specific way of lining it (upper and lower lining), but would it be okay to line it normally like a normal dress or any other garment?

[@BillyMatsunaga]

Kimono lining is put in a really specific way and is completely different from Western sewing. If you want to do it correctly, I recommend to try and find some videos. I personally still suck at doing awase (lined kimono) and always need my sewing teacher to watch over me, while I’m putting in lining. Anyway, cotton and wool kimono don’t have lining. So you could also try to sew a kimono of thicker cotton or warm wool to stay warm.

[@moonrisehowler1842]

@@BillyMatsunaga I see! Thank you so much!

[@originalkingdomhearts]

I'm planning on wearing a graduation furisode and hakama in summer for my graduation. Do you have any tips on how to stay cool?

[@susannahallanic1167]

May I ask you some questions about cultural appropriation, please, Billy? I knew about Japanese wearing different clothes because my aunt appreciated Japanese culture and had visited Japan twice. She had a couple of kimono but did not wear them as such. For her, one was a very elegant morning robe, and the other was only worn in the afternoon but again as an overrobe to ward off a chill. I liked that she kept her cigarettes and matches in the sleeves. This was in the mid-1950s. Thus began my love of ethnic clothing, which would turn into an interest spanning different cultures worldwide. I love to sew, so I have sewn a couple of kimono, but not with the idea of wearing them out of the privacy of my home. I even sew tabi because they are more comfortable than socks, for me. What articles of clothing I have sewn and have intentionally worn wherever I chose are the Hapi and the Haori. For summer, I have made them out of cotton beach scarves. For winter, I've always chosen the hapi. I've used wool, padding of wool or cotton batting/wadding, and lining. They've always received compliments. Many women have asked if they may try them on and then commented on how comfortable they are. I want to be sensitive to cultural appropriation. I've wanted to make a Haori as a piece of needle art winter coat. This is very likely to be the last Hoari I will ever make because my fingers are becoming arthritic. I want it to be exceptional, my personal masterpiece. So I want it to personally represent what I have loved most about my life. I will describe it so there will be no mistaken understanding of what I am asking "will this be cultural appropriation, or will it be art clothing Japanese inspired? The fabric is black lightweight cashmere wool; there will be a thin padding of soft needled wool, then the lining will be a peach silk charmeuse on the body, but a dusty rose charmeuse lining the sleeves. The collar will be made of black silk velvet with the same padding, then it will be quilted in a small diamond pattern. The ties will also be made from the same velvet. I will have to use the English name for the pieces I plan to alter. I plan the sleeves only as long to end 4 inches or 10 centimeters above my wrists. The length of the garment will extend from the base of my neck to my mid-thighs. I was inspired by a Japanese embroidery showing grasses and flowers against a rising full moon. It would be too small a piece to decorate the back of the Haori, and also, it doesn't mean much of anything to me. I want to work off the idea using the techniques I know. So the fauna will be from the favorite places I've lived, and the rising moon will be more of a harvest moon. It will cover the back panels and extend to the lower parts of the front-ending about midline in each panel. This has been the most expensive clothing I've ever made for myself, entirely made by hand, so I am calculating approximately 1,500 hours of work. I don't want to do all this work just so I can hang it in my closet because it will be deemed cultural appropriation. Do you think it will be determined inappropriate?

[@BillyMatsunaga]

I’m obviously the wrong person to ask, because I live and Japan and the idea of “cultural appropriation” doesn’t exist here. Your project sounds absolutely wonderful to me. And at least in Japan everyone would be amazed. But my opinion and experience doesn’t speak for everyone who is of Japanese heritage.

[@susannahallanic1167]

@@BillyMatsunaga Thank you Billy! I have only one friend who is a 2nd immigrant to the USA. She said she didn't know but would ask her parents. They both said they don't understand cultural appropriation. This week I will pose the question to my friends here in France.

[@TECHnicallyBlind]

cultural appropriation would be making fun of another's culture and trying to sell it as your own idea entirely and not giving credit to the original culture it comes from. Anything other than that is not appropriation and you have nothing to worry about. Some people go as far as to say that wearing kimono while you are not japanese is appropriation but that is them just gatekeeping and its an american made issue. There is nothing for you to worry about and try not to get too deep in what the vocal minority of people on the internet say about it all. Live your life and learn as much as you can

[@user-hd3pk4jo1e]

As other comments have said it is 100% appropriate. America and the western world have many society issies that they are deciding to push onto everyone for no reason. When I lived in America people would be very mean to non east asians wearing kimono or cosplay but say nothing to asian Americans. It is very hipocritacal to say that because in their logic all east asians become the same. Any Japanese person will be happy that you are wearing kimono and putting so much work into it. Wear proudly and keep spreading it to many more people. 本当に応援してます😊

[@susannahallanic1167]

@@TECHnicallyBlind Thank you! I appreciate you taking the time to reassure me.

[@madeleineg2049]

Danke für das Video. Wie cool das du auch Pokemon spielst. Ich habe purpur, bin aber noch nicht weit gekommen. Mein Lieblingspokemon ist Mew. Es ist so neugierig, freundlich und lernt sehr gerne. Ich weiß nur nicht ob es Mew auch in Purpur gibt. Mein nächster heftiger Kampf wird wohl in der Arena von Fermanca City sein. Ich hatte gehofft, dass wenn Paldea Spanien sein soll, dass man dann auch die Karte wechselt und zu Kalos kommt, wenn man das Spiel durch hat, so ähnlich wie mit Johto und Kanto. Aber es geht ja auch so. Ich stecke im Moment nördlich/westlich von Asarilla fest und lass mich von meinen Pokemon vor dem Herrscher beschützen. Aber ich wünschte ich hätte in meiner Schulzeit so einen coolen Schulleiter gehabt. Oder auch heute so einen Chef. Manchmal frag ich mich, ob mein Chef überhaupt will, dass ich seine Aufgaben erledige. Auf der einen Seite spricht er sich mit anderen über meine Arbeit ab. Auf der anderen Seite gibt er mir den Eindruck, dass meine Mühen einfach nicht zu ihm durch kommen. Naja, was soll's. Alles Gute und vielleicht können wir mal Pokemon tauschen. Falls ich mal wieder zum Spielen komme...

[@BillyMatsunaga]

Hey! Ich hab das Spiel schon durch ☺️ viel Spaß beim weiterspielen!

[@tylinious]

I dont remember where i read or heard, but i heard red is a color of power when worn by women

[@connshawn4921]

Hello! I am a karateka who practices sword. I want to make myself traditional swordplay attire and I wanted to know if you could point me in the direction of some good patterns for a hakama, uwagi, obi, etc. Thank you and have a wonderful day!

[@marijastojanovic6585]

Hello! I am wondering what types of Japanese silk exists and where to find information on how to weave them ? I'm a very experienced weaver and would like to try weaving my own tanmono but I don't know what type of silk and weave to use ❤

[@mmdelucia2095]

So you wear kimono all the time in Kumamoto? It’s really hot and humid in summer and cold in winter there. How do you manage the climate, especially in summer? Yukata is for summer, but I bet it’s not as comfortable as a T shirt.

[@lauraleecreations3217]

❤️❤️❤️👍👍👍👍

[@amandaharrigan1733]

Can you wear a obi with a nibushiki kimono

[@silkvelvet2616]

second attempt at a comment! The first didn't stick for some reason 😞 Anyway, I is it weird of me to laugh my head off at the first question you typed in and the second option goog gave you was Do Komodo Dragons Poop? (Maybe it's because I have dragons on the brain because I've been sculpting them onto my yarnbowls recently that I noticed the second option.) Also, I agree with you about the cultural appropriation thing. I absolutely love RuPaul's Drag Race, but a few years ago, the runway catergory was Iconic Madonna looks and about 5 of the queens chose her 'kimono' look and none of them really looked very kimono, more like some floaty robe instead. It made me feel really uncomfortable even though, at the time I wasn't thinking cultural appropriation, just, nope, that is all wrong (I don't actually like madonna's stuff so I wouldn't have picked it up as a 'look' of hers anyway). I wonder if the reason we non-Japanese adopted the word 'kimono' for traditional Japanese dress because it was easy to remember and pronounce? Once something goes out into the world at large, we don't necessarily have control of how it is perceived and used.

[@BillyMatsunaga]

Well… ppl google weird stuff 🤷‍♀️😂 Anyway, we have no control over it. But I’m at least trying my best to spread awareness of what a kimono is.

[@silkvelvet2616]

@@BillyMatsunaga I really appreciate your videos, I have learned so much interesting stuff watching them and you do it in such a fun way🤩😍

[@qiu_5265]

Hi, there was one kimono I'm really trying to find or replicate of an anime character. Where do you think is the best source?

[@BillyMatsunaga]

I recommend to let someone take a look at it who can sew and dress kimono. They can tell you what you can do.

[@charliecat5686]

Is Kimono just a piece of clothing, that you can wear however you wish? Wearing it with respect, even wearing it in costume form such as Halloween?

[@amandaharrigan1733]

Are there two piece kimono?

[@laurapatriciaovallesperez6866]

Yes! they are called Nibushiki Kimono (二部式着物)

[@azdajajeanne]

*Matsunaga:* Colors have no meaning. *Also Matsunaga:* Just don't wear all-white or all-black. *Me:* Why?! 😵‍💫 - I've heard white is associated with mourning. But I've also seen Shinto brides wear white? And I've never heard anything about wearing black...What does this aside mean...?

[@user-hd3pk4jo1e]

An all black kimono including the obi amd other accessories is called 紋服 monpuku. This is a morning clothes so wearing it is not good. All white is usually for bride but and also make you look like a corpse or a ghost.

[@Stef.with.an.F]

The white of the shiromuku (Japanese pre-ceremony bridal kimono) does symbolise death. It symbolises the bride from her original family is dead, and she’s ready to be reborn into the groom’s family and be dyed by the groom’s colours (thus changes into the red-based irouchikake (Japanese post-ceremony bridal kimono) symbolising reborn into the bloodline of the groom after the ceremony). It also justifies the change of the bride’s surname into the groom’s after the marriage.

[@jeremyhellen8234]

I know you meant "barbarians," but I think we should all universally start using Bavarians to mean uncivilized.

[@BillyMatsunaga]

That (Barbarians) is what I said. Sorry that my pronunciation wasn’t clear enough.