THIS is your Kimono Size! // The Ultimate Kimono Size Guide

Find put if a kimono fits you by measuring and calculating your correct kimono size. This video will also show you how to get your correct kimono undergarment (nagajuban) size and hoe to find out the size for a fitting kimono coat (haori).
Use the chapters to jump through the video.
00:00 Intro
01:05 Free size kimono do not exist
01:43 Why do you need your kimono size?
03:11 What measurements do you need?
03:57 What measurements will not be in this video?
04:57 Length of a women's kimono
07:33 Length of a men's kimono
09:03 Sleeve length for women's and men's kimono
11:54 Kimono width for men's and women's kimono
15:34 The special measurement (erishita)
16:51 Wrap up of kimono size
17:43 Size for women's undergarment (nagajuban)
20:36 Size of men's undergarment (nagajuban)
21:58 Wrap up of undergarment size
23:30 How to measure a kimono correclty
24:55 Size of men's kimono coat (haori)
26:17 Size of women's kimono coat (haori)
28:44 Why aren't obi sizes in this video?
Woodblock prints used in this video (in order of appearance):
(1) Suzuki Harunobu. Ise, from an Untitled Series of Thirty-six Immortal Poets, 1767/68. The Art Institute of Chicago.
(2) Utagawa Toyokuni and Utagawa Kunihisa. Asukayama, from the series ”Famous Sights of Edo, a Hundred Beauties”, 1857. National Diet Library Digital Collections.
(3) Kikukawa Eizan. Bijin rokkasen, Edo period. Tokyo National Museum.
(4) Utagawa Toyokuni and Utagawa Kunihisa. Hori no Uchi Soshidou, from the series ”Famous Sights of Edo, a Hundred Beauties”, 1857. National Diet Library Digital Collections.
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)

[@jodyrodgers4982]

Thank you, Billy san. Please do make a video about how to “cheat” an obi for plus size (or, as I have encountered online, “chubby san”). Does the back width of the haori adequately accommodate the bulk of the obi knot? I was certain you were going to say it was +4 cm! What a surprise! Again, thank you.

[@zoukatron]

Wear-length actually doesn't sound that bad as a direct translation into English for kitake.

[@Contessamy]

Omg this is what I needed now!!!! I'm just making a kimono, and I've been trying to understand my size (obviously not yuki and length, but rather around hip/chest etc). Thank you for making this video! I am grateful.

[@TsukiNohime16]

This is perfect! Being in Canada means I have access to kimono only online (or exceedingly rarely at second-hand stores) so being able to know the measurements means I can order kimono and yukata that fit me way better! Also: making my own kimono will be so much easier!

[@chichinn]

this is a godsend❣️ as a tall lanky lass sizing is the bane of my existence thank you sooo much☺️

[@maiajohnson772]

I have been looking into how to get accurate kimono measurements for my cosplay projects. This is really going to help! And I'm learning more about kimonos at the same time! Thank you so much for making this video! 😆😆😆😆

[@Spydernights]

I've watched this video twice and taken a bunch of notes before making my own kimono (using your other video). I'm also super jealous of your kimono. It would totally not work for me for many reasons, not the least of which is that I'm studying chado and it's too flashy, but I just love it.

[@shay101x]

This video is SO incredibly helpful! Thank you, Billy! Also, absolutely adore your kimono today 😄

[@charliecat5686]

This is soooooo helpful!! Thank you so much for great content!

[@mayalynn]

Thank you so much for talking about plus size measurements in kimono. I've been sewing kimono and related garments for cosplay for years, but my measurements never quite fit into other directions I've found online.

[@akanenohonou]

This guide is really helpful, thank you :)

[@DenisePollack]

This is so so perfect. The one video I wasted for. Thank you so much!

[@kokujinkimono2658]

Excellent video as always 👏👍!!I even learned things that I didn't know !!Thank you very much Billy🙏😊!!

[@ryeen3895]

I’ve been waiting for this video!

[@timeywimeywearables]

I love that you make things easy to understand and refresh my brain when I'm working on kimono. One thing I've found and I can't recall if you have said it in any past videos. I personally have found when I started on my kimono journey a few years ago; is to take a used kimono that is at the end of its life(before you upcycle it) is the best way for new people to learn the panels and the build process and use it as a template if they can't draft a pattern on their own without some sort of visual guide. By the way...I'm in love with the fabric for the kimono you are wearing! I wish we had textiles like that here in the US.💞

[@mayoooketchup]

This video is not only a gem but of public interest. For no-so-jozu japanese speaker I can't thank you enough for this guide so precise!

[@marialuizamatai3069]

Yay!... Finally someone is talking clearly about measurements... Hello from Brazil... it's nice to see you again.

[@starrhaltli3742]

I'm so glad you have made this video! I watch them a lot, especially when I am putting on my kimono, that is too small by the way. It did make me chuckle as well when you said ankle instead of wrist when you were talking about measuring the yuki. 😉 Don't worry, my husband has a hard time with English so it was very endearing to me.

[@christinaczarnecki625]

thank you for this very informative video ! The next one about how to make an obi longer is a very very good idea !!! can´t wait !

[@fikanera838]

This is so interesting! Looking forward to the obi video (but no hurry!)

[@eloiselau7943]

This video is a godsend!! Thank you so much!

[@shimekacroquetilla9048]

Most needed video ever... I just calculate the size range from 10 cms below my height and 10 more up of my height, and basically all my kimonos fit me for that 🥰 Loving your channel work!

[@ivernori]

Yaaay, thank you so much! I chose some fabrics for nagajuban and haori but was reeeeeally worried about the measurements. ❤️❤️

[@michellecornum5856]

WOW! Very useful! I will pass this on!

[@KimonoFashion]

Always loving your content. Too much to learn yet. Lately, I've been losing and gaining a lot of weight and makes most difficult to have the perfect size kimono and kitsuke. Still, looking forward to the next video.

[@DisasterAuntie]

I've always liked your videos, but now I like you as a person and not just as a kimono teacher. On behalf of me and my fellow round people, thank you for being angry at the concept of "free sizing" or "one size fits all!" I've been following a kitsuke group on social media, and someone found a kimono that was perfectly her size except for the length: she can't make an ohashori because without folding, it hits right where it is supposed to hit. One of the other posters there mentioned the history of the ohashori, that it wasn't traditional until people started belting the length to keep their hands free. I wonder if the Kimono Aunties would recognize that? I am only 5'4" which is short for North America but longer for Japan, and I am wondering if I wore a kimono that was "too short" in that way, would I be able to say "In these modern times, an ohashori is expected, but I'm a traditionalist" and they would approve, or if I would just sound like someone who didn't care about the rules. Do you have an opinion?

[@BillyMatsunaga]

There are so so sooo many Japanese - also in the kimono business - who wear kimono without a o-Hashori. Even I do it front time to time and no one ever noticed. Hehe! So I say: go for it!!! 💚💚💚

[@DisasterAuntie]

@@BillyMatsunaga Awesome, thank you so much! Domo arigatō gozaimashita.

[@cmcmillan7987]

Thank you so much. Very helpful.

[@proximacentauri3567]

Just in time! Seen this video 5 times already 😜 Thanks Billy 🙏🏻💙 I was on the edge of love and hate about kimono after receiving another vintage kimono which is too narrow for me :( That’s decided that even I admire and love vintage kimono my Slavic shapes require the tailored kimono 💪 My dream is to have tailored kimono from Cocoroya… fabrics’ design and colours are really in my style. Actually I search the internet to find a way to make this dream come true 🇯🇵👘🤍♥️

[@loredanascolari494]

Thank you very much! You make very simple to understand this topic. And 👍👍👍👍 for the idea that kimono aren't free size at all: at the beginning of my journey with kimono I was deceived by "free size" kimono or yukata in on line stores.

[@cicigabel]

Dear Billy, Thank you so much for this video! I am just struggling with the Nagajuban fitting and this video is absolute the Holly Guidance! I would be very interested in "Dressing Tricks" & "Obi Size" videos. Looking forward! Liebe Grüße aus Nürnberg🤗❤️.

[@irisw9482]

New subscriber here, super great first video! I'm excited to try to find/make a kimono in my size 👘

[@BillyMatsunaga]

Oh, thanks for your sweet comment ❤️❤️❤️

[@g.strobl4458]

I am so, so looking forward to making my plus size kimono now!

[@pb-hi2kx]

Hi, wonderful video! I found your amazing hoard of kimono videos a short while ago and have been binge-watching my way through them. As many others have mentioned, it's great to hear the more obscure kimono words spoken aloud, so that I know how to pronounce them (even if only in my own head!). I have a question: For us super-tall Europeans (I'm 178cm tall and need a minimum 75cm yuki), what do you recommend? I've made three of my own kimono, and found that to put all of that extra length on the sleeve makes for a disproportionately large body of fabric there. But as my maehaba is 45cm and my ushirohaba is 46cm, to take any of the yuki length from the sleeve and add it to the body panels makes actually wearing the kimono neatly very difficult, as the amount of extra material in the body becomes very cumbersome to fold over and tuck in at the sides. It constantly wants to pull free above my obi at the point that the sleeve meets the body. Also made me laugh about the nagajuban situation--since I collect old kimono, I too have an absolute *ton* of nagajuban to suit every yuki and sodetake length...and yet never seem to have the exact right one! (also interesting about the two sode measurements; to avoid confusion, for the sodetake I myself tend to say 'sleeve drop'). Also, as to the eri, I tend to add an extra 15mm onto the width if I make kimono for myself, in order to keep it proportional to my height. I also add about the same onto the okumi for the same reason. Wondering of you've ever done that, to maintain the correct visual proportions (or am I committing the ultimate faux-pas for doing so? lol! ). Also, hope I got all the various names correct there!

[@BillyMatsunaga]

Hi! This video is about standard sizes. When we talk about plus size (in Japan these also includes extra long), I’m planning on a small video series on that… probably after the pandemic? So I can actually show how it would work out. So stay tuned.

[@barbiebunnybakery1896]

This is actually suuuuuuuper helpful! Thank you so much. I’m not quite sure how to work with the hip measurements in the future though. I have - for of a better term - a quite big booty so my back measurement is 1.5 x my front measurement . Any recommendations?? I thought about measuring some of my kimono from which I like how they sit on me and take their measurements as a guide ?

[@aliceliotto7542]

What I loved most in this video is "kimono in your size is addicting..." Yes, it is. After having sewn some I've found my best size, and when I look to buy I'm really selective on measures. I don't care too much about yuki because short sleeves can be comfortable, as you say. What I care a lot about , besides the length, is the width of the front panel.

[@jonlilley2832]

My Kimono wearing days are past, but this information is very interesting to get. I was very lucky to find a kimono, haori, and hakama in my 'western' size (second hand) in Osaka when I lived there. New years was a blast with all my friends & family! The first year, it was a friend and me in full regalia. The following years, EVERYONE was in kimono and we had a blast! And I refuse to wear a fundoshi again! I had to hold my breath the whole time! : )

[@Ami5Jo]

I really love 💗 your channel, it's so great. Still I have a question. I really tried to measure everything twice and calculated everything twice but can't get measurement A to be bigger than B. To achieve that the front ends up way too narrow. I watched both videos, the making of and this one. Am I to come to a conclusion that I can't make a kimono with these "standard" calculations. That I need to tweak the measurements somehow. But then the question is how. Should the sideseams lie exactly at the sides when worn? Should the back be a little loose like hang straight down before tieing it? Thank you so much for everything.

[@yahunnie7999]

Hi, I know this comment was made almost a year ago and you have very likely already found out what does or does not work for you. I also could be very wrong with what I am about to say, in which case I apologize for any misinformation. But IF I remember correctly from the making of kimono by her, the B was actually in the front and Alpha in the back??! Because after she said to measure out for B she then showed placing the 2 extra strips to those panels for the front. Again I could be wrong that was just my understanding of it.

[@sharonlevine483]

This was the most helpful yet. Although I am cis-gender female, my large shoulders and narrow hips just don't fit female standards, so self-made kimonos and similar garments are becoming more and more the solution. especially as I can wear no synthetic. I also make Japanese peasant clothing - best work garments. Maybe you could discuss them? Many many thanks for all your work.

[@RhondaRolf]

Very helpful! How do we calculate length of men's hakama?

[@LeanneVlogzFilmz]

This is fantastic advice for making some kimonos/yukatas 🤩 What's the key thing to remember when making a yukata instead of a kimono such as minor changes in the sleeve fabric?

[@BillyMatsunaga]

Nothing really. A yukata is also just a kimono 😊

[@LeanneVlogzFilmz]

@@BillyMatsunaga Ah, I see. Thank you for letting me know 😁👍

[@sharonkumagai7674]

Fun and NEVER boring.... :)

[@lottaraatikainen3942]

Thank you! This was very informative. Now I'm quite sure that none of my vintage kimono actually fit me. Perhaps it's time to sell those and try to find something that fits better ;)

[@rhoniallen958]

Hi billy, I have a question. I love your videos. They are super helpful! I’ve always loved Japan and their culture. I’ve recently been and have been gifted a vintage kimono. I have taken the measurements of the kimono as you have demoed in your video and my measurements and I just wanted to see if you could double check them? I think it may be too big according to my ushirohaba measurements. My hip circumference is 79cm. The measurement between my hip bones at the front is 39cm. Which I think makes the ushirohaba 20cm, right? The measurement I have taken on the kimono I was gifted is 30.5cm. Will this be way too big for me to actually use? The rest of the measurements actually match up really well. It’s just the ushirohaba that is making me nervous! Hope this isn’t too much trouble. Hope to speak to you soon. Thank you I’m advance!

[@heiditschan6852]

Hello, I have a few questions I am unclear on if you don't mind. 1. On the nagajuban, the ushirohaba and maehaba you said would be generally wider than the kimono measurements, but the yukitake is more narrow. So would you cut the body panels to be wider at the hem and narrower at the shoulder? 2. If you were creating multiple layers, like a donuki/kasane set, would each layer get progressively smaller like nesting dolls? Or would the kimono layers stay the same size and only the nagajuban is smaller to avoid peeking out? Thank you 🙇‍♀

[@nashinashi0114]

Hi Billy, thanks for thoroughly explaining everything! I have a question; Is the ohashori a must? I can't remember where I've read this but some article said it's modern to wear kimono without it. Is there any truth to this? 🤔

[@Lexyx]

This is such an interesting video, thank you so much for sharing! I have a small question - I'm an owner of not so very wide hips and long arms. Is it too much of a difference, if ushirohaba is 28,5 cm and yuki 77cm, making sleeves 48,5cm? Should I compensate partly the big difference?

[@Stef.with.an.F]

Hi Billy, I am a bit confused about the width of the katahaba and sodehaba. I saw that you widened the katahaba in the female kimono making tutorial instead of having it the same width as the back width (ushirohaba). Is it that katahaba and sodehaba have to be in a 1:1 ratio? Can the katahaba be the same as the ushirohaba and widen the sodehaba instead to get the right length of yuki?

[@g.strobl4458]

Isn't sodetake dependent on marital status, age and gender? The way I understood it, younger and more formal means longer sodetake and rounder corners, married women't sleeves being pretty close to men's already. Have those distinctions gone out of fashion? Or maybe it is a local thing? I'm curious. :) Maybe for Juban, a good measure would be height * 0,8. As always wonderful, helpful video.

[@BillyMatsunaga]

No, it’s not dependent on marital status and gender. Also: I’m not talking about formal kimono in this video. Do you really think that unmarried woman living in a farm did wear long sleeves every day? That would be super inconvenient, don’t you think? 😏 Nowadays kimono sizes are standardized, so kimono with slightly longer sleeves aren’t made anymore (that’s why max. 53cm!!), unless you would buy a furisode.

[@g.strobl4458]

@@BillyMatsunaga, thank you so much!

[@alderankorym]

*Cries in finding only kimono with 20cm too short mitake but all too wide still.* My ohashuri is basically non existent...

[@BillyMatsunaga]

Then wear them without a ohashori 😉

[@alderankorym]

@@BillyMatsunaga But how do you hide the hip belt? Get rid of it entirely and only use the breast belt? I do like the look of a ohashuri tho.. :/

[@SkyeAten]

Is this the same for Yukata length?

[@MadeByChinkee]

The confusing part for me was the sleeve’s length of the Juban. If we have to take 4mm off from the “kimono” shoulder length, but have to make the Juban front and back panels wider, does that mean that the juban will end up tapered from the main body to the shoulder?

[@patriciahazeltine9986]

If I am a plus size, but only 5'4", is my sleeve length going to be shorter to compensate for the larger hip/bust size that I will need?

[@24carrotgold8]

My friend died on Saturday. She did not want the traditional white funeral kimono. Will I use the same measurements for her garment? Since her feet will probably be flexed, can the excess fabric usually bunched at the waist be used to cover her feet, or are her white socks supposed to show? Can you make a video about measurements of the funeral kimono worn for viewing prior to cremation and advise about the undergarments worn also? Is the body dressed with an obi? Obviously the back will not have a bow.

[@rbebut1]

Any wedding kimono? Can you do a show with him and her model show?

[@cafehfg]

Can we do that with hakama?

[@Black_Samurai-fish]

I’m 160 cm and I just get one that’s 159 to 161 cm because I like them to be as big as I can get them so they will fit when I’m pregnant too lol I feel so glad I was actually getting the right size! Yay!!

[@theghostking8987]

I’m trying to get a traditional samurai outfit on Amazon but They only have it an extra large Im a 4xl

[@Chaoticnumbers]

Would it be disrespectful for me to make a yuki length that is 2-3 cm shorter than arm length? I'd like a bit more of my wrist out for practical means

[@zacrysyap]

i wonder if the armpit part of mens kimono is can be adjusted to be small?.. for more custom fit

[@BillyMatsunaga]

No, because then it wouldn’t be a kimono anymore.

[@originalkingdomhearts]

Most kimono won't fit over my hips at 50 inches. I have one yukata that sorta fits because it goes up to 60 but it still not perfect since I think you're suppose to have 16+ inches bigger then you? So I will have to make my own. Which I know how to sew! I just can't find the fabric that has enough in the bolt that is meant for kimono. Sigh.

[@strawberrytootsieroll2826]

Ok im just trying to understand. Im ordering a kimono but the size says 5XL. I am 5'4, flat chested, and skinny. I don't know if this would fit me at all.

[@kaniq6120]

I don't know why but her kimono makes me think about tropical banana leaves

[@habituscraeftig]

I'm kinda curious, now, how women historically dressed during pregnancy. Obviously the modern silhouette has a fairly straight vertical line, but I'm curious whether historical wafuku was able to conform to pregnancy, or whether there were special garments for that.

[@disabledpeach8181]

Ive been planning to make my own kimono, and trying to figure out as a nonbinary person what style I'd prefer to wear (masculine or feminine) Reading all the comments about not necessarily needing to wear an o-hashori in a feminine kimono makes me feel way better about wanting to fuse the styles a little bit!! Im worried people will tell me i am doing it wrong if i merge masculine and feminine style, but i am SO excited to see what i like the best in both.

[@yzqc]

Billy! HiGh ViBe

[@zjcamp]

Free size-? We talking the sister hood of the traveling pants? (In sorry I had to pun that 🤣😭)

[@SkyeAten]

"Free size" just means the most average size in your country.. They make the most profit from it because it will fit the most people. It's not really the fashion industry telling anyone anything... It's just them saying all they care about is profit...

[@rohsub]

My husband, during his visit to Japan, bought me a gorgeous silk kimono. There is embroidery on the back of only 1 sleeve and not the other. And the kimono comes to just above my knees. Now that I’m watching your video, I’m wondering if he bought me a child’s kimono 😁 Is there any such thing as a really short kimono for adults??

[@lorirodriguez9890]

Kim mI think you are the best person to where can I get a Komodo for me please send me a Komodo store Komodo in the USA

[@AlexintheGarden]

About inclusivity in distinguishing between "men's" and "women's" kimono, could you use feminine and masculine kimono? I understand if it feels weird, but it would help some people with feeling more comfortable with how they view kimono.

[@originalkingdomhearts]

Free size basically means it fits everyone they thing should wear their clothes. IF you don't fit, oh well your fault.

[@christinp.7755]

"Width" ist mindestens genauso witzig wie "Bodenpladde" 😂

[@BillyMatsunaga]

😂😂😂

[@kaliru1]

I'm having a really hard time understanding your "how to make a kimono the easy way" because the skematics with the measurement calculations don't make sense

[@supremetuna]

Math.