Traditions

Clothing

Men's Kimono

Very few men wear kimono in public nowadays except for those who perform some sort of traditional art. The men's formal Kimono is lustrous silk in black where the only decoractions is the family crest in white.

Women's Kimono

There are more variety of Kimono for women than for men, and more women wear kimono than men do.

Formal occasions

Unmarried young woman- Furisode in various colours

Married woman- Tomesode of black silk crepe with family crest in five spots

Less formal occasions

Married and unmarried women of all ages- Homogi, same kind of silk as the furisode or tomesode, comes in various colours with designs from shoulder to the hem.

Tea Ceremony

The classical tea ceremony had orginated in the 13th century when Zen Buddhist monks pass the tea cup among themselves in an effort to stay alert for their religious duties. In the teahouse the guest kneels in silence on the tatami mats facing the tea kettle. The host then eners the tea ceremony utensils and arranges them in an artistic and harmonious pattern. The same bowl is shared by all the participants, adding to the effect of a shared event. When the tea bowl is passed, the guest raises it and drinks all of the liquid. A simple ceremony may last for about twenty minutes.