Despite the cold season, today's topic is about yukatas. A long time ago, yukatas were used only for bathing time. Actually, people from high society would wear them while taking a bath (as at that time, people would not bath naked).
Between Muromachi and Edo periods, the Obon festivities gained in popularity, and consequently more vibrant and gorgeous yukatas appeared. Commoners also started to wear them.
In Kyoto, with all the festivals, fireworks, the Gozan Okuribi (Fire festival on Mt. Daimonji), etc., there are many opportunities to wear a yukata and enjoy the summer. Such an activity has become a standard among young people.
There are now yukatas made with a light, easy-to-wear material, without ironing or any specific maintenance needed, and still very colorful and fashionable.
Tourists visiting Japan like to buy yukatas as souvenirs and sometimes get creative and turn them into indoor gowns or other wearable clothing pieces.
Why not getting a change from the standard Western clothes and rent or buy a cute and elegant yukata?
Yumeyakata's Yukata Plan, start on May 2018
"Do you know?", a blog by Beniko, a former maiko
