Which is the "right front" or "left front" of a kimono? We explain the correct way to sew the front and how to finish it neatly!
When wearing a kimono or yukata, have you ever wondered, "Which is on top, the right or the left?" For many people today, who don't wear kimonos often, it's possible to confuse the right and the left. However, there is a reason why kimonos are worn in the way they are, so it is important to understand that reason and put them on correctly.
This time, we will explain the difference between right and left front kimonos, as well as the correct way to sew them, a simple way to remember it, and points to keep in mind when taking photos.
■ What are the "right front" and "left front" of a kimono?
Maeawase refers to overlapping the front of the kimono as seen from the other person. With this in mind, let's take a look at the difference between "Migimae" and "Sajimae".
◇Right front
Migi-mae means that the right collar of the kimono is above the left collar when viewed from the other person. When viewed from yourself, the left collar is on top, so there is a possibility that you may confuse Migi-mae with Hidari-mae.
◇Front left
Hidari-mae means that the left collar of the kimono is above the right collar when viewed from the other person's perspective. Therefore, when viewed from your own perspective, the right collar is on top.
■Kimono should be worn with the right side in front
As a general rule, the correct way to wear a kimono is with the right side in front, regardless of gender. The word "front" means "first," and right side in front means "putting the right side of the kimono on first."
In Western clothing, buttons are on the right side of men's clothes, while women's blouses and shirts generally have buttons on the left side. Incidentally, there is a theory that upper-class Western women often had servants dress them, which is why women's clothing is on the left side.
Since the way women wear Western clothes and kimonos is different, it is a good idea to remember to put the right side on first when dressing.
◇The correct way to wear a yukata is right-front.
The basic rule for not only kimonos but also yukatas is to dress with the right side in front. Regardless of gender or type of kimono, remember that all Japanese clothing should be dressed with the right side in front.
◇When did it start to be worn on the right side?
It is believed that kimonos began to be worn with the right side in front during the Nara period. In the "Clothing Order" issued in 719, the "First Order on Peasants in the Country" stipulated that kimonos should be worn with the right side in front for all classes.
The "first law of the nation, peasants should wear their collars on the right" is also related to the situation in China, which was influenced by the Nara period. In China, only high-ranking nobles were allowed to wear their collars on the left, while commoners generally wore their collars on the right.
However, wearing a kimono with the left front makes it very difficult to move around, and while it may not have been a problem for nobles, it is impractical for commoners who had to work. As a result of recommending the right front, which is easier to move around in and work in, it is thought that this has remained the norm up until the present day.
■ Why you shouldn't wear your kimono left-front
Nowadays, the only time a kimono is worn with the left side facing forward is when it is worn as a funeral outfit for someone who has passed away. Therefore, wearing a kimono with the left side facing forward is considered bad luck and bad manners.
There are several theories as to why funeral attire is worn left-side-front. The most widely accepted theory is that it is worn left-side-front like nobles in order to be closer to gods and Buddha after death, and that the reverse of the right-side-front distinguishes between the world of the living and the world of the dead.
To observe etiquette and wear your kimono beautifully, remember that wearing your kimono left in front is strictly prohibited.
■Photos and posters may be inverted to the left front.
When taking a selfie in a kimono with your smartphone, be aware that the photo may be "flipped horizontally."
The "in-camera function" used for taking selfies reverses the left and right of the photograph, like a mirror. Therefore, even if you wear your kimono right-front correctly, the right side will appear as the left side in the photograph.
You should be especially careful when posting a photo of yourself wearing a kimono with the left side facing forward on social media without realizing that it is reversed. Even if you are wearing the kimono correctly with the right side facing forward, this could give a negative impression, such as being unlucky. Before posting, make sure that the photo is not reversed before posting on social media.
Depending on the model of your smartphone, you may be able to set the camera so that the image is not inverted, or you may be able to flip the image left and right when saving it. If you want to take a selfie in a kimono, check the functions of your smartphone and make the necessary settings.
If your smartphone does not support correcting horizontal inversion, we recommend using an image editing app that can rotate images.
■An easy way to remember how to match the front
If you are not a frequent wearer of kimonos, you may forget to put the kimono on the right side when putting it on. Even if you understand that the front part should be on the right side, you may end up putting the right side on the front as the word "right side" suggests, and it may end up on the left side.
Here are three easy ways to remember the correct way to lay out your kimono, so that you can remember the correct way to lay it out when dressing.
◇Make sure it forms a "y" shape when seen by the other person.
If you wear a kimono with the right side in front, it will form the letter "y" when seen by others. It's a good idea to remember this when adjusting your collar.
It's also recommended to remember it using the mnemonic, "The collar looks like a y when seen from you (the other person's) perspective."
◇Reverse the clothes
As mentioned above, it is common for women's Western clothing to have buttons on the left side. Therefore, when women wear kimonos, it is best to remember that they are buttoned on the right side, the opposite of Western clothing.
◇Adjust so that your right hand can easily fit into the collar.
Another reason for wearing kimonos with the right side in front is that it is easier to reach the collar.
Since most people are right-handed, wearing it with the right side in front makes it easier to put your hand in your pocket. Another advantage of wearing it with the right side in front is that it makes it easier to adjust the collar, so remember to "wear it so that your right hand can easily reach your pocket."
■ Tips for finishing the front neatly
When wearing a kimono, it is important to neatly arrange the front of the kimono. If the front of the kimono is not aligned properly, not only will it look bad, but the collar may open up. To neatly arrange the front of the kimono, try the following tips.
◇How to wear a kimono undergarment correctly
It is no exaggeration to say that the undergarment worn under a kimono determines the outcome of the kimono. By wearing the undergarment correctly, not only the kimono but also the collar will be neatly fitted.
If you follow the steps below to put on your nagajuban, the front will be neatly aligned.
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Put on a long undergarment and loosen the collar a few times.
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Adjust the collar to keep the shape of the garment
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Tuck in the collar a little and attach the chest strap.
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Align the center of your back and smooth out wrinkles and sagging skin on your back.
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While arching your back, pull the body down, starting from the bottom of the collar and shoulders, then the center of the back below the chest strap.
◇Lift the lower front a little
The shimo-mae is the part on the right side when viewed from the front. If you lift the shimo-mae slightly and cover it with the kami-mae while the hem is slightly short, the front will be neatly finished. Not only will the shimo-mae not be visible from the hem, but the hem will also be less likely to spread out, allowing you to wear the kimono beautifully.
◇Align the back seam in the center
The back seam is the seam in the center of the back. If the back seam passes through the center of the back, the left and right sides will be well balanced and look neat.
When matching the left and right sides of the kimono, make sure that the back seam is centered on the back and buttocks. If the back seam is misaligned to the left or right of the back, it can cause the kimono to come undone or cause wrinkles on the back, so be careful.
However, the center of the back may shift even while dressing, such as when opening the collar or tying the chest strap. Make sure the chest strap is level with the collar, and secure the collar with a clip, etc., to prevent the back seam from shifting.
■ Summary
Regardless of the type of kimono or whether you are male or female, the basic rule is to wear the kimono with the right side facing forward. However, the way the kimono is facing forward is how it is seen from the other person's point of view, so if you think about it from your own point of view, you may confuse the right side facing forward with the left side facing forward. Note that the left side facing forward is only used for funeral attire, so you need to be very careful.
There are a few tricks to remember how to properly sew the front, such as making the collar into a Y shape, wearing the clothes backwards, and making it easy for the right hand to fit in the pocket. In addition, if you put on the undergarment correctly, lift up the lower front and put on the kimono so that the back seam is in the center, the front sewn will be neatly finished.
If you want to stroll around tourist spots in a kimono or yukata, we recommend VASARA, a kimono rental shop where you can dress empty-handed. VASARA has stores in major tourist destinations such as Asakusa in Tokyo, Kyoto, and Kanazawa. If you want to take photos of yourself in a kimono, be sure to take advantage of VASARA 's kimono rental service.
For more information, please see the following page.
