What is a kimono hijab?
A kimono hijab is cloth made by unpicking a genuine vintage kimono — one that was actually worn in Japan — and re-tailoring it as a hijab. WATASI JAPAN’s kimono hijab are made mainly from the kurotomesode — the most formal kimono a mother wears at a Japanese wedding — along with other vintage kimono such as komon, and finished piece by piece, with care, by women artisans in Shirakawa, Fukushima. (→ more on kimono grades)
This is not mass-produced printed fabric. Silk woven decades ago, a pattern that falls one way on this piece and no other, a hand softened by the years — no two are alike. Each is one of a kind.
Wear Japanese Art.
Abroad, chemical-fibre cloth printed with Japanese-style patterns is sometimes sold as “kimono”. WATASI JAPAN uses only genuine vintage kimono that were actually worn in Japan.
The material — what genuine silk makes possible
The kurotomesode is the highest grade of formal wear, and fine silk was used for it to begin with. Because we unpick and remake it, the material is, if anything, more luxurious than buying new fabric. Silk has properties it was born with, to protect the cocoon.
- Antibacterial, odour-resistant — it holds down the growth of bacteria. Daily care is just airing in the shade.
- Soft against the skin — silk is a protein containing amino acids, close to human skin. It settles against hair and skin.
- Excellent at absorbing and releasing moisture — it takes up more sweat than cotton and lets excess moisture escape. It stays dry even in humid seasons and places.
- Blocks ultraviolet light — it protects the skin from strong sun.
- Resists creasing — vintage kimono were sometimes made with Japanese cocoons, now almost gone. Japanese silk resists creasing even better than overseas silk, with a particular firmness and smoothness.
Upcycling: giving life again to a kimono that has finished its role. A kimono asleep in a drawer is reborn as cloth worn every day, somewhere in the world.
The patterns have meaning
Each traditional Japanese pattern carries a wish. For example —
- Chrysanthemum (kiku): from a medicinal herb of long life; a pattern of high standing, usable in any season.
- Peony (botan): “king of a hundred flowers”; a symbol of a beautiful woman, of happiness and nobility, and of long life.
- Pine, bamboo, plum (shō-chiku-bai): vitality that does not yield to the cold; long life and celebration.
- Fan (ōgi): widening outward — growth, happiness that spreads without end.
- Noshi: the bundled-ribbon shape stands for people tied to one another; a token of sharing happiness.
- Seigaiha (blue ocean waves): calm waves continuing without end — a wish for a peaceful life and future.
WATASI JAPAN removes motifs to be avoided under Islamic teaching — figurative images of people or animals — and selects mainly geometric, botanical and natural patterns. We check the pattern on every single piece so it can be worn regardless of religion or nationality.
→ Read more on the meaning of patterns: About the patterns
Choosing size and shape
| Shape | Character | Suited to |
|---|---|---|
| Rectangle | Easy to wrap, good for beginners; easy to add volume at the neck | Everyday wear; those who like a neat wrap |
| Square | Folded into a triangle; drapes beautifully | Those who want a relaxed look, or a formal occasion |
Wrapping methods are covered with photos on a separate page → How to wrap a kimono hijab. For an under-layer that holds the hair and smooths the surface → About the inner hijab.
Chosen by people who —
- do not want to wear the same hijab as everyone else
- are looking for a hijab in a fine natural material
- want to wear something with respect for Japanese culture and craftsmanship
- are looking for a gift for someone dear (→ A guide to gifts for Muslim friends)
Made in Japan and one of a kind, so quantities are limited.
Where to buy a kimono hijab
WATASI JAPAN kimono hijab are available in the official online store.
▶ See kimono hijab & shawls (official store)
- Price range: ¥15,000–¥20,000 (tax included, one of a kind)
- Ships to more than 50 countries
- Also available at stockists → Stockists (HALAL-Ya, Asakusa / JAPANeid, Osaka)
About WATASI JAPAN
WATASI JAPAN is a Fukushima brand that makes Japanese modest fashion from vintage kimono, under the concept “Wear Japanese Art.” It has been introduced to 150 countries on NHK WORLD and covered by the Nikkei and others.