Kimono and Yukata on a Dime

If you read my basic 101 article, you can see how Kimono is quite an expensive tradition. If you are a gaijin girl who is not as lucky as the many J-girls in this generation who inherit a closet-full amount of kimono from their mothers, are not bloody rich, or do not have a fairy-obaa-chan, I’ll give you a quick run down on how to get real quality, traditional kimonos, at decent prices.

Who says gaijin girls can’t get in the Kimono spirit without having to dish out 二万円 (20,000) yen for a one day rental, or even drop around 40,000 yen (四万円) just to look like an oddly featured Maiko san in Kyoto?  You too can own a real, beautiful kimono and keep it! Yes, there are many cheap discount kimono shops that sell the touristy “kimono” and “yukata” (which, in my opinion, look like Barbie pajamas) for around 三千円 (3000 yen) maybe even with an obi included. You can even buy 1500 yen geta. I understand for some people, who just want to partake in a matsuri donning kimono or yukata once, this is a reasonable price and if you aren’t that into it, who cares if it’s not real or made in China (nothing against China or Chinese products). If you’re like me, and into the “mukashi” vintage style prints and think it would be nice to own a traditional silk kimono then I hope this information helps.

Where’s the number one place to buy it? You probably don’t even have to leave your own town – yes I’m even including the inaka inhabitants. Some of my cheapest and best kimono have been bought at my local furugiya-san – or Thrift store. Recycle shops usually have a section just for kimono. You can buy haori for 500 yen or less. Although, the practice of wearing this coat is on decline amongst the younger generation , I like to rock it and westernize it by wearing it with a belt, leggings and flat boots. I’ve bought silk komon awase kimonos for as low as 1400 yen and brand new albeit vintage style geta and zoori from about 500 yen. There are usually plenty of obis available, from Fukuro obi fancy formal ones, to casual Nagoya obi and Han haba obi. Aside from the latter that typically range from 300 to 500 yen, the usual obi are around the 3000 yen mark. Even essential parts required for Kitsuke can be sold basically brand new at used prices at the thrift store. Naga jyuban run around 1400 yen, with obi jime around 500 yen and obi age around 1000 yen depending on the fabric. I once found a silk kimono in mint condition  for 9000 yen and the Furisode naga jyuban for 4000 yen. It was a STEAL!

I’m almost unwilling to divulge all my secret cheap kimono shops, as I would hate to compete for a cheap badass vintage kimono, but from one gaijin girl to fellow gaijin girls, I will make an exception. One of my favorite chain recycle shops is called Chicago and I typically go there for regular western wear. There are two stores in Tokyo, one in Harajuku but the one in Omotesando sells vintage kimonos. For us Kinki folk, we are lucky to have one in Kyoto, in the shotengai running between Shijo and Sanjo Dori. For ridiculously cheap kitsuke parts, there is a shop in Kobe Motomachi shotengai, on the right near the entrance before Choco-Cro. If you wander south of China town, in addition to all the funky thrift stores, there are some that sell vintage kimono. But your best bet is to try your local recycle shop, as they have the better prices.

Some things to keep in mind: Kimono cannot be worn without Naga jyuban and unfortunately when you look for Kimono and Naga jyuban separately, it will be hard for the sleeves to be the same length (this is crucial in proper kimono wear.) However, you can get by with unmatched lengths by safety pinning them together at the wrists. Kimono must be longer than your height, so this may be difficult for the tall gaijin girl. It must be long enough so that you can tuck it up at the waist around 6 inches, with the bottom hem almost touching the floor. The width of the kimono must also be wide enough to wrap around your body one time and a half, with the side hems directly at the sides of your legs. It is also important for the sleeves to not be too short. Geta and Zoori should be small, with your heel hanging off, as it makes it easier to walk in, but the straps near the toes shouldn’t be so uncomfortably tight. If you buy Nagoya obi, the folded in half section must be able to wrap around your waist twice, and the rest of the length needs to be long enough to tie O-taiko musubi. These requirements make it more difficult to find the perfect kimono, but I enjoy the hunt. Look out for the inside linings, that there are no brownish stains or holes (meaning it hasn’t been properly maintained over time) and look for patterns that are appropriate for the occasion where you will wear it.

If anything, a recycle shop will have cute traditional Japanese things for cheap prices that are good as a keepsake or souvenirs for friends back home. You can find unused kimono print clutches for 300 yen or less, and sometimes I buy children obi jime and wear them as a head band. Some people even buy old obis and use them as table runners, or make purses out of them. Whether you want a real deal kimono, or just some real deal traditional kimono items for fun, checking out your local recycle shop is worth a try. Happy hunting, and if you find any good shops, please don’t hesitate to let me know! I’m on the lookout for summer Hitoe…