Franklin Dean
Japanese wedding attire is steeped in tradition and symbolism. While Western-style weddings have gained popularity in Japan, with white dresses, veils, and chapels, traditional Japanese weddings feature vibrant kimono ensembles. The kimono is the foundation of all three types of traditional wedding attire, with colours and styles imbued with symbolic meaning.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Traditional Japanese wedding dress | Kimono |
| Colours | Red, black, and white |
| Purple, green, and pink | |
| White kimono | Historically worn at funerals |
| Now worn at weddings | |
| Red kimono | Symbol of good fortune, happiness, and protection from disaster |
| Black kimono | Not considered bad luck |
| Western-style weddings | White wedding dresses |
| Veils | |
| Flowers |
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What You'll Learn
White wedding dresses were influenced by Western traditions
The traditional Japanese wedding kimono comes in three primary colours: white, black, and red. The colour red is deeply rooted in Japanese culture and is considered a symbol of happiness, good fortune, and prosperity. It is also believed to symbolise strong magic, protection from disaster, and exorcism of bad luck or evil spirits.
White, on the other hand, is a colour with Western associations. In Western tradition, white symbolises purity and innocence. This symbolism was popularised by Queen Victoria, who wore a white wedding dress in 1840. The custom of the bride in a white gown spread not only in Britain but also in many other countries of the world, including Japan, in the 20th century.
In Japan, white was traditionally worn at funerals, but this custom changed during either the Russo-Japanese War or World War II, when black became the standard funeral colour. This shift was likely due to the frequency of funerals during wartime, as white clothing requires more careful cleaning. Despite this historical association with funerals, white has become a popular colour for Japanese wedding kimonos, perhaps influenced by Western traditions.
While red and black are still the most common colours for Japanese wedding kimonos, white kimonos, known as shiromuku, are also worn, particularly in Shinto ceremonies and shrine weddings. The shiromuku is an all-white ensemble, including a white kimono, obi, and undergarments. It is considered a formal and traditional wedding attire, symbolising the commencement of a new chapter in the couple's lives.
In conclusion, while Japanese wedding dress colours have been influenced by Western traditions, the choice of colour remains a poignant expression of cultural heritage, invoking blessings and prosperity for the newlyweds.
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Red is a traditional and popular colour for Japanese wedding kimonos
Japanese weddings are steeped in tradition and meaning, with wedding attire being no exception. The kimono is the foundation of traditional Japanese wedding attire, with colours often imbued with symbolic significance.
Traditionally, wedding kimonos featured three layers in white, red, and black, with black on the outside, followed by red. However, this custom faded during the Meiji period due to its high cost. Today, red remains the primary colour choice for Japanese wedding kimonos, although modern adaptations may incorporate other subtle hues. The enduring popularity of red showcases the blend of tradition and cultural significance in Japanese wedding ceremonies.
While red is the quintessential colour for Japanese wedding kimonos, brides are not limited to this colour. White is another prevalent colour choice, symbolising purity, innocence, and the start of a new chapter. Black is also considered acceptable, and purple, green, and pink kimonos are sometimes chosen for their respective associations with nobility, harmony, and happiness.
The uchikake is a type of wedding kimono that is often elaborately designed with heavy brocade, intricate embroidery, and painted patterns. It features long sleeves and thick red padding at the hem, and it is typically worn open over a white or colourful kakeshita. The shiromuku is another type of wedding kimono that is entirely white and commonly worn for shrine and temple weddings.
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Black is also a common colour for wedding kimonos
The kimono is a staple of Japanese wedding attire. While red is the primary colour choice for wedding kimonos, black is also a common colour. In fact, black is one of the three primary colours for Japanese wedding kimonos, with the other two being white and red.
Black is often popular for the hiki-furisode style of kimono, which has been a popular choice for upper-class ladies since the latter half of the Edo period. Hiki-furisodes are embroidered with lucky patterns and come in a wide range of styles and colours. The black is almost always accented with bright colours and patterns. The unique feature of a furisode is the length of its sleeves, which hang down.
Traditionally, wedding kimonos had three layers in white, red, and black. The outer layer was black, followed by red. However, this custom faded during the Meiji period due to its high cost.
In modern times, Japanese weddings have incorporated non-Japanese features, such as white wedding dresses. This tradition is believed to be attributed to the legacy of the wedding gown worn by Queen Victoria in 1840. The custom spread to Japan in the 20th century.
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Purple is another colour choice, giving a sense of nobility
While red, black, and white are the three primary colours for Japanese wedding kimonos, purple is another colour choice, giving a sense of nobility. Purple is not the only alternative to the traditional colours, as modern adaptations have introduced other subtle hues. For example, green symbolises harmony, and pink represents happiness.
The kimono is the foundation of all three types of traditional wedding ensemble options. The art of putting on a kimono was traditionally passed from mother to daughter, but nowadays, special schools teach the necessary techniques. The kimono is worn over the undergarments, a top, a wraparound skirt, and a nagajuban (an under-kimono). The kimono is tied with an obi, with the left side overlapping the right—the right side only overlaps the left when dressing a corpse for burial.
The uchikake is a type of kimono often worn by brides. It is often elaborately designed with heavy brocade, complicated embroidery, and painted patterns. The uchikake is worn open, without an obi, over a white or colourful kakeshita. The bride's hair is styled in a top knot, often with delicate hair accessories.
Although the traditional kimono is still popular, Japanese weddings have started to incorporate non-Japanese features, such as white wedding dresses, chapel ceremonies, and destination weddings.
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Modern Japanese weddings may include Western features
The traditional Japanese wedding kimono features the three primary colours of white, black, and
Modern Japanese weddings are becoming increasingly Westernised, with many brides choosing to wear white wedding dresses. Since the 1960s, Japanese weddings have started to incorporate non-Japanese features, such as white wedding dresses, chapel ceremonies, and even "destination weddings". Most couples prefer a Christian-style ceremony at a chapel, even if they are not Christian. The ritual of cake-cutting, the exchange of rings, and honeymoons are other common Western elements that have been adopted.
Japanese wedding rituals still start with the engagement, where the couple may exchange lucky objects and money, but brides may also adopt some Western traditions, such as having something "old, new, borrowed, and blue". They toss the bouquet, have their friends throw rose petals, and they feed each other their first bite of cake.
The religious wedding ceremony was traditionally held in Shinto style at a shrine, with a priest conducting the ceremony in the presence of close family members and friends of the couple. Nowadays, this shrine may be located inside a hotel, and the couple may opt for a Christian church instead.
The wedding reception is usually visited by about 20 to 200 guests, including relatives, friends, co-workers, and bosses of the bride and groom. During the reception, the bride may change her outfit several times, from kimonos to dresses.
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Frequently asked questions
Japanese wedding dresses, or kimonos, are often red, black, or white.
Red is a classic and traditional Japanese color. It symbolizes strong magic, protection from disaster, and exorcism of bad luck or bad spirits. It is also associated with nobility and is considered an auspicious and joyous color. White symbolizes purity, innocence, and the commencement of a new chapter.
Yes, while red, black, and white are the most common colors, Japanese wedding kimonos can also be purple, green, or pink. Purple conveys nobility and high class, green symbolizes harmony, and pink represents happiness.
Japanese wedding kimonos are made of delicate fabrics and feature intricate designs. They are often crafted from white, ivory, or cream tone-on-tone jacquard silk.
No, brides in Japan rarely purchase their wedding kimonos. Instead, they are almost always rented, along with the men's ensembles, from specialty companies.
