Length of fabric for a kimono

A narrow piece of fabric with the motif of a dragon amidst clouds. According to Japanese tradition, kimonos were made only upon concrete individual requests out of woven and decorated strips of fabric some 9 metres long and about 50 cm wide. The cut of a kimono is very simple, always identical and the outcome of sewing together rectangular fragments of fabric of assorted sizes. Only the length of the sleeves varies – they are long and richly decorated for unmarried women, while the sleeves of kimonos belonging to married women are narrow and fit snugly. Apart from the kimono, all elements of the Japanese woman’s costume are invariable and traditional – from the undergarments to the shoes, coat and hairdo. In modern-day Japan women wear kimonos for assorted holidays, celebrations and ceremonies.