A Little Background
How It Began
According to Cynthia Green's article, the kimono was established during the Heian period which spanned the years 794-1192. It was originally designed to be a garment that could fit any body type. (6). It was further developed during the Edo period which spanned the years 1603-1868. The kimono started out as a form of clothing called a Kosode until it was further developed during the Meiji period to what is now seen as a modern-day kimono. (6). The kosode was a short-sleeved garment that was typically plainer in color and design and material was lighter than the more ornate kimono.
Meiji Period
It was during the Meiji period in Japan that the kimono was given its name and place as a cultural staple. Goldstein-Gidoni believed that this was because during the Meiji period, women were "...clearly and officially defined as benefiting the nation by being wives and mothers."(2). The kimono became representative of coming-of-age for women in Japanese society and was marked as more "feminine attire."(2).