Ancient Japan - Samurais, Geishas, Kabuki

For centuries, the customary apparel for Japanese women was the kimono - beautiful silk garments, tied with the wide sash called an "obi". Kimonos ranged in style from simple everyday garments to elaborate multi-layerd wedding kimonos still seen in traditional weddings in Japan.

The art of wearing a kimono, once passed down from mother to daughter, is not taught in special schools. It is said it takes 3 months to learn to properly wear a kimono and a year to learn to do it perfectly!