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Haori

What is a haori?

A Japanese haori is a lightweight coat which was formerly a cape worn for traveling.

What does haori mean?

The word haori is a form of the Japanese verb haoru, which means "to put on."

Facts about Japanese Haori for mens kimono and womens kimono

The Japanese haori is regarded as an essential feature of the ceremonial mens kimono (along with the hakama) but not for womens kimono.

Japanese haori was not fashionable for women till the Edo period when the geisha from Tatsumi who lived in the pleasure quarter of Fukagawa in Edo took to wearing the haori in imitation of mens kimono. Women put on the Japanese haori mainly to prevent the kimono from becoming soiled or wet. It is usually taken off and folded up before entering a building.

Different types of Haori

Types of haori are divided by lengths of haori.

  • The long haori is very dressy.
  • The medium length haori is for ordinary wear.
  • The short haori is the type to be worn at home.

Japanese haori for formal and informal kimono wear

For formal and semiformal kimono wear, there are black and colored haori.

Kuro Montsuki Haori or Black Haori

The black haori made of silk or crepe and bearing a single family crest at the back mid seam is called the kuro montsuki haori. Kuro montsuki haori is worn for school events such as entrance and graduation ceremonies or for mourning. Contrary to the general rule, kuro montsuki haori need not be taken off when inside a room.

Haori cord

The haori cord should be black for mourning and white for school events.

Colored Haori

The designs on colored haori extend over the seams of the material. The base color of a colored haori is any color other than black. This haori is often worn to go visiting on New Year's Day and for other felicitous occasions and is usually worn over a patternless kimono, or the Edo komon or tsukesage kimono. It is important to harmonize the basic colors of the kimono and the haori.