How a Garment Becomes a Tradition
The kimono is a very visual example of material folklore. While being a material piece of clothing itself, it also is depicted in various forms of art. However, it is also a prime example of customary folklore. There are certain customs associated with the clothing item that span generations. Sims and Stephens state that customary folklore involves "... a repeated, habitual action." and "repeated behavior in which a person's participation indicates involved membership"(4). There are repeated processes that come with proper and formal kimono wearing as well as interest groups for those who wish to wear a formal kimono in everyday life.
OBI
The obi is an ornate piece of the kimono. It functions similar to belt to hold the costume together. There are proper ways to fold an obi that are passed down through generations. Assmann states in her paper, "...the mastery of wearing the garment in an appropriate and flawless way becomes an indicator of age, taste, and class."
Folding a Kimono
Another custom that is taught is how to properly fold a kimono. Assmann writes in her paper that there are finishing-type schools in Japan that specialize in teaching proper ways to fold a kimono among other customs such as walking in a kimono and bowing. (4)
If you would like the checkout a good video for how to fold a kimono, here is a great one by the KIMONO DREAM MAKERS group on Youtube: How to fold kimono（英語字幕付き_きものの畳み方） - YouTube
Kimono Affinity Groups
In addition to customs passed down through families. There are also ways that the Japanese preserve these traditions amongst those they are not related to. In her paper, Assmann writes about two affinity groups that were part of cases studies she conducted. One group called Kimono de Ginza would have monthly meetings where the group would gather in the Ginza shopping district donned in Kimonos.