In Japan, there are only four colors to be considered primary, pure, and genuine. White is a color of purity and represents truth, humility, and mourning. Black is associated with formality as well as mourning. Red is symbolic of the sun and is linked to authority, strength, sacrifice, joy, and happiness.
In this post
What are the colors of kimono?
See below for a crash course on the meaning behind five kimono colors.
- Hana asagi (Blue) Hana’asagi (blue) kimono.
- Momo-iro (Pink) Momo-iro (pink) kimono.
- Shōjōhi (Red) Shōjōhi (red) kimono.
- Koki-murasaki (Purple) Koki-murasaki (purple) kimono.
- Kihada (Green-Yellow) Kihada (green-yellow) kimono.
What does a yellow kimono mean?
For the Japanese, yellow is the colour of light, and the warmth of the sun is soothing and the benefit of light is most felt. Therefore, the yellow kimono has the meaning of “warm”, “active”, and “gorgeous” that the light has. It also means “youth,” “hope,” and “change.”
What does a black kimono symbolize?
Black Kimono Worn at the Funeral
For the mourning garment (喪服 mofuku) worn at the funeral, a plain black kimono is preferred, and tied with a black obi as well. Kimonos with five family crests are said to be the most prestigious. Bereaved family wear this at funeral.
What colors symbolize in Japan?
Symbolic Colors in Japan
- The color white, or shiro in Japanese is considered a sacred color of the gods.
- The color black, or kuro, is traditionally a masculine color in Japan.
- The color red, or aka, is very popular in Japan.
- The color blue, or ao, was a color of the common people.
What does a red kimono mean?
Kimono for a young woman, 1800-1850, Khalili Collection. In Edo period Japan, the colour red signified youth and glamour. The benibana dye faded quickly, so the colour became symbolic of mad, passionate love that is all consuming but fleeting.
Is it OK to wear red in Japan?
In fact, as far as fabrics are concerned, red is considered in Japan as the happiest color you can get.
What color is good luck in Japan?
Blue is also one of the most important lucky colors in Japan with the others in the category being yellow, white, purple, green and, red.
What does blue mean in Japan?
Blue (Aoi)
Blue is also a colour that represents purity and calmness in Japanese culture, mainly because of the stretched of deep blue water that surrounds the Japanese islands.
Is Orange a good luck in Japan?
Over time, the Japanese tradition of giving mandarins as holiday gifts merged with the European story and mandarins became a symbolic representation of the gold coins, and again a symbol of good fortune and wealth. In Russia, mandarin oranges are traditionally used as Christmas tree and New Year tree decorations.
What does a orange kimono mean?
Other popular colors in Japan include: Purple is most notably the color of royalty, but it can also reflect on nobility, spirituality, and wisdom. Orange is symbolic of love, happiness, and the sun. Green represents nature, freshness, vigor, and good luck. Pink denotes youth.
What does yellow represent in Japan?
In Japan, yellow symbolises nature and sunshine and is considered a sacred colour in the Far East. Yellow is used in many Japanese terms.
What color represents death?
Black
Black. The colour – or rather adsense of colour– black is often linked with negative associations, such as death, fear or sadness, according to the Journal of international Colour Association (opens in new tab).
Do you have to get naked in an onsen?
Nudity is compulsory at an onsen
Nudity is mandatory at most onsens so get used to the idea. Some allow you to use a small modesty towel while walking to and from the hot spring but many forbid even this. There is little to be worried about.
Why does Japan wear blue?
Japan: Japan’s national teams wear the color blue, even though the Japanese flag has no blue in it. In fact, this color turned into an amulet of luck in Japan after the Japanese football team first wore it in 1936 during the Olympic Games, and defeated the Swedish team 3-2.
Do kimono patterns have meanings?
Believed to live for a thousand years and to inhabit the land of the immortals, it is a symbol of longevity and good fortune. Specific motifs were used to indicate virtues or attributes of the wearer, or relate to the season or occasion such as weddings and festivals where it bestows good fortune on the wearer.
Is wearing a kimono disrespectful?
In short, you will not be viewed as ‘stealing’ Japanese culture if you wear a kimono and you are respectful when doing so. In fact, many Japanese would be pleased to see you wear a kimono as it demonstrates your passion for Japanese culture.
What does orange mean in Japanese culture?
courage, happiness, love
In Japanese and Chinese cultures, orange signifies courage, happiness, love, and good health. And in Indian cultures, it’s symbolic of fire. The orange-colored spice, saffron, is considered to be lucky and sacred.
What is inappropriate to wear in Japan?
No exposed shoulders
With women, wearing short shorts or skirts and I mean the shortest of shorts is completely fine but wearing anything with spaghetti straps or a revealing chest area is considered especially inappropriate. Tank tops are seen as underwear here so be sure to cover up if you want to blend in.
Is it OK to wear black in Japan?
You can wear all black whenever and where ever you like. Tank tops and shorts are perfectly fine. Working Japanese usually do not wear shorts, so you don’t see them in shorts except on weekends. But you see lots of people on leisurely activities (including tourists) wearing them.
What should you not wear in Tokyo?
If you are traveling to Japan on business then a formal, conservative trouser or knee-length skirt-suit worn with tights in dark colors works well, but do avoid an all-black look – this is associated with funerals. Also, avoid revealing or sleeveless blouses. Japanese women generally do not wear nail varnish.