Why do Japanese women wear hakama to graduation ceremonies?
- by MaedaYumiko
- 2 min reading time
Many women in Japan wear kimonos and hakamas for graduation ceremonies. Discover the history and meaning behind this elegant tradition.
March is drawing to a close, and graduation season is beginning in Japan.
In Japan, the new school and academic year starts in April, precisely when the cherry blossoms bloom. That's why graduation ceremonies take place at the end of March.
For university graduations, many women traditionally wear a kimono with hakama. However, it's not compulsory – some also opt for formal Western attire such as suits. Nevertheless, the kimono with hakama is considered special attire for this occasion and is a meaningful event for many families.
I also wore a kimono and hakama for my own graduation. I still vividly remember my kimono with a Yagasuri pattern, which I deliberately chose in the style of Meiji-era hakama fashion.
University graduation marks an important transition from student life to professional life. Therefore, the hakama, which was originally the uniform of schoolgirls, is now worn as formal attire for this special moment. In a way, it resembles an academic gown in Europe.
But why is hakama worn in addition to a kimono?
Originally, hakama was worn by men over 1000 years ago, during the Heian period (approx. 8th-12th century). It served a similar function to trousers. It was worn by nobles as formal attire, by samurai both in battle and for ceremonial occasions, and by Shinto priests during rituals – always in formal contexts.
Women only started wearing hakama much later, in the late Meiji period (late 19th century), when education for women became widespread and girls' schools were founded. Hakama was introduced as a school uniform because it was both practical and elegant – it allowed for easy movement, comfortable sitting on chairs, and at the same time maintained a neat, intellectual appearance.
In Japan, the image of schoolgirls in hakama is still widespread today and is often perceived as charming and fashionable. The Meiji period (late 19th to early 20th century) was also an era in which Western and Japanese styles blended. Many popular "retro" or "haikara" kimono styles originated here.
And what do men wear for graduation?
Men can also wear hakama, but nowadays most opt for suits. With the modernization of Japan since the Meiji era (late 19th century), men's clothing increasingly shifted towards Western fashion, so school uniforms and suits became the standard. Therefore, it is now common for men to wear a suit for graduation.
This shows that while the kimono is a traditional garment, it has evolved over time. This interplay of tradition and modernity is precisely what makes Japanese culture so uniquely charming.