Japanese summer kimono = yukata 浴衣

Did you know a summer kimono is not actually called a kimono, but a yukata?!  The main difference between the two is the weight and type of material.  Another significant difference is that a yukata is much easier to put on and doesn’t require the same under garments.  Also, the obi (bow) on a typical yukata is much smaller than that of a kimono.

Below, you can see the obi on the kimono is very large.  Incidentally, an obi serves as a belt.   You can also see that there is a dip around the nape of the neck.  This is the correct way to wear a kimono, you do not wear it sitting against the skin of the back of the neck.

 

Here you can see that it is much smaller and neater on the yukata.

It is hard to tell from the photos, but take my word for it – there is a big difference in the weight of the material, the yukata being much lighter.  The yukata is normally made of cotton. 

In the above picture you can also see the “geta”, wooden sandals that are traditionally worn with the yukata.  I am wearing the geta indoors as they were brand new and had never been worn outside, however, normally one never wears shoes in the house.  Another thing to note in the photo above is that the photo was taken in a tatami (straw mat) room and normally one shouldn’t even wear slippers in it!

Nowadays, a Japanese person or indeed a foreigner, will don a yukata in public for the summer festivals, particularly firework festivals. However, the most common sighting of a yukata in public is when a sumo wrestler is out and about.  Junior wrestlers wear the yukatas in public at all times and in the summer all other wrestlers tend to wear them frequently also.

The yukata is also often worn at traditional Japanese inns and/or hot springs.  In these circumstances the yukata is used like a dressing gown, allowing the guest/ customer to move around the premises in comfort.  The below picture was taken after bathing in a hot spring.  The photo was taken in the locker room as taking photos is prohibited in most hot springs.  Of course, the yukata provided are always spotlessly clean!