A Japanese Summer – Bon Odori, Summer Festivals, and Yukata
- by MaedaYumiko
- 4 min reading time
Summer in Japan, for me, means Bon Odori, summer festivals, kakigori, and of course, yukata. A personal insight into Japanese summer traditions and the special world of yukata.
The summer holidays are slowly drawing to a close.
For our family, a trip to Japan almost always means summer. The Japanese summer is very hot, but at the same time, there are so many things that simply belong to this season – Bon Odori, the sea, Kakigori, Japanese shaved ice, and of course, the many summer festivals. This year, too, we thoroughly enjoyed the summer in Japan with our children.
This time, we attended a summer festival in Osaka and were able to experience a bit of Bon Odori there. Last year, we visited a small, traditional summer festival in a more rural area of Kyoto. Together with the locals, we danced Bon Odori and enjoyed the special atmosphere of a Japanese summer evening.
This year, a friend from Tokushima also sent me photos of the famous Awa Odori. This traditional dance festival boasts a history of over 400 years and is one of Japan's most well-known summer festivals. The entire city is filled with music, rhythm, and dance during this event. I've wanted to experience this festival myself for a long time and hope that I can visit it someday when the timing is right.
And when you think of summer festivals and Bon Odori in Japan, one thing almost always comes to mind: the Yukata.
The yukata is a light form of kimono and has its origins in clothing originally worn during or after bathing – in its original function, somewhat comparable to a European bathrobe. Today, however, the yukata is primarily a typical garment of the Japanese summer and is particularly popular at summer festivals and fireworks displays.
Most yukata are made of cotton. Unlike a classic kimono, a nagajuban, which is a long undergarment for the kimono, is usually not worn underneath. This makes the yukata much easier to put on. The fabrics are usually light and breathable, making them well-suited for the hot Japanese summers.
Today, many yukata come in pastel tones or with modern designs. Traditional yukata, on the other hand, are often found in cool colors like indigo and white, and with motifs that evoke the Japanese summer – for example, morning glories, goldfish, fireworks, or various flowers and plants.
Personally, I find yukata made from Arimatsu Shibori particularly beautiful. Arimatsu Shibori is a traditional Japanese resist-dyeing technique from Aichi Prefecture that has been passed down there for centuries. I myself come from Aichi and own an old Shibori yukata that my mother passed down to me. Perhaps that's why Arimatsu Shibori feels particularly familiar and personal to me.
In this technique, individual areas of the fabric are hand-tied, folded, or fixed, and then dyed. This creates not only the characteristic patterns but also a slightly three-dimensional structure in the fabric. It is precisely this irregularity and vibrancy that makes it so appealing to me – completely different from a printed pattern.
A Hanhaba Obi is usually worn with a yukata. "Hanhaba" roughly means "half width": this obi is significantly narrower than many traditional obi worn with a more formal kimono. Hanhaba obi are available in different materials such as cotton, linen, or silk. They are usually lighter and easier to tie than a classic wide obi.
Also, obiage and obijime, which are often used in many classic kimono stylings in addition to the obi, are usually not necessary with a yukata. A yukata can therefore be worn relatively simply and casually.
Of course, it can also be styled more elegantly. Depending on the pattern and occasion, an obijime – a narrow decorative cord over the obi – or other obi accessories can be added, for example. A visible haneri, a decorative collar of the kimono undergarment, can also make a yukata look a little more like a classic kimono.
In recent years, the so-called heko-obi has also become increasingly common. This is a very soft and light obi that can be tied to create a particularly voluminous effect. This creates a playful and airy look that is very popular, especially with modern yukata.
And that, for me, is also one of the most beautiful aspects of the yukata: the many ways to tie the obi. Both Hanhaba Obi and Heko Obi can be arranged in numerous ways. Depending on the mood, yukata, and occasion, each styling can look a little different.
The yukata is a traditional Japanese garment – and at the same time, something that is still an integral part of the Japanese summer today.
During my shopping trip to Japan this year, I also selected some yukata. It will take a little while for them to arrive in Berlin. As soon as they are here, I will gradually showcase them in the online shop.
I look forward to you stopping by again and bringing a little piece of Japanese summer into your home.