kimono

Traditional Japanese costume. Worn in the Heian period (more than 1,000 years ago), it is still used by women for formal wear and informally by men.

For the finest kimonos a rectangular piece of silk (about 11 m/36 ft x 0.5 m/1.5 ft) is cut into seven pieces for tailoring. The design (which must match perfectly over the seams and for which flowers are the usual motif) is then painted by hand, using various processes, and may be enhanced by embroidery or gilding. The accompanying obi, or sash, about 4 m/13 ft x 10 cm/4 in for men and wider for women, is also embroidered.