Heian Period Kimono

For the many ceremonial occasions, Heian period kimono were worn by women of the Heian court. Women of the Heian court wore unlined Heian period kimono one over the other, taking great care to match and contrast the colors of each layer, which were visible at the neck, sleeve ends and lower skirt. This was called juni-hitoe, meaning "twelve layers," but the actual number of Heian period kimono might have been less or more - even up to twenty layers weighing eight kilograms.

Kosode

Sokutai kimono sleeves (osode) were large and completely open at the end. Underneath the Sukotai was an undergarment with smaller sleeves, the kosode. Kosode is a Japanese word meaning small sleeve. The shape of Kosode is the shape of today's Japanese kimono.

Under Kimono and Hakama

Worn underneath were an under kimono and a hakama. Then, as now, a woman's hair was of great importance. Heian ladies favored long, lustrous black hair.