Tomesode

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Tomesode (留袖) is one type of Kimono. It is expensive formal dress worn by a married woman.

Originally there was a custom that fastened a long sleeve after marriage to shorten of the long-sleeved kimono which a young fellow wore in the Edo period. This was because the married women has to be in the kitchen, and the long swinging sleeves of furisode would be very unpractical. Name in itself to call "tomesode" from here turned for a meaning to call "formal dress of a married woman."

The tomesode distinguishes itself from other kimono by only having patterns under the waistline. It has five or sometimes three family crests, or kamon, which indicates the formality of the kimono.

Kuro tomesode (black tomesode) is often worn by a married relative woman in wedding ceremonies. The eri, obijime and obiage is always white, and the obi is matching the colourful pattern of the kimono, to signify a happy occasion. It is believed that the black colour is to match the clean white colour of the bride, as this kimono is rearely used at other occasions than weddings of near family members (sisters or daughters). A friend of the bride couple would not wear kurotomesode, but homongi or irotomesode. At events at the imperial palace, it is strictly forbidden to wear kurotomesode, and here irotomesode is worn.

Irotomesode is the second most formal kimono and is similar to the kurotomesode, except that it has light colours instead of being black. It can be worn at weddings by married women not closely related to the bride couple or at other festive occasions.