#7 The History and Culture of Kimono Part2

　In the previous article, I wrote the history of kimono and the differences between kimono and yukata. This time, let's delve a bit deeper into some language-related aspects and niche trivia about kimono.

Words and Idioms Related to Kimono

　As I’ve mentioned in the link below, there are many words and idioms deeply connected to various cultures and histories. In this article, I’d like to introduce a few that are related to kimono.

袂を分かつ (tamoto o wakatsu)

　This phrase means to sever ties or part ways with someone you’ve shared experiences with. For example, if business partners have differing visions and decide to go their separate ways, you might say, "「二人は袂を分かつことになった。」(They decided to part ways)".
　
　There are some theories about its origin, but here’s one. The "袂 (tamoto)" refers to the pouch-like part under the sleeve of a kimono. Kimonos with long sleeves were considered formal attire for unmarried women. When a woman got married, she would shorten the tamoto of her kimono as she moved to her husband’s home. This act symbolised leaving her family. Thus, "袂を分かつ (parting the tamoto)" came to signify leaving behind close relationships, such as family or companions.

袖の下 (sode no shita)

　"Sode no shita" refers to secretly passing money or goods to someone, essentially a bribe. The term comes from the idea that the wide sleeves of traditional Japanese clothing can conceal items being handed over discreetly. If you look at the image below, you can see how easy it would be to hide something in those sleeves, right? Phrases like "袖の下を使う(sode no shita o tsukau)" mean to give a bribe. Hopefully, this is a term you won’t need to use in your daily life or business dealings! 

辻褄があわない (tsujitsuma ga awanai)

　This is a phrase you often hear in mystery novels or dramas. It means that something doesn’t make logical sense or is contradictory. Conversely, when something is logical and coherent, you can say "辻褄があう(tsujitsuma ga au)".

　To understand the origin of this phrase, you need to look at the words "辻 (tsuji)" and "褄 (tsuma)". "辻 (tsuji)" originally referred to a point where roads cross, essentially an intersection. In the context of kimono, "辻 (tsuji)" refers to the points where seams intersect. "褄 (tsuma)" refers to the edge of the hem of the kimono. To fold a kimono neatly, you need to align the seams at the edge of the hem perfectly. So, if the seams don’t match up, it’s like saying the logic is flawed or inconsistent.

Why Do We Say "服用 (fukuyou)" When Taking Medicine?

　服 (fuku) means "clothes" in English. So why does the character for clothes appear in the term for taking medicine? Until I read about this theory in a book, I never noticed it either. Why do we use the term "服用" (fukuyou) when referring to taking medicine?

　It turns out that it comes from the idea of wearing medicine, similar to wearing clothing, to benefit from its effects. Throughout history, plants and herbs have been studied and used as medicines worldwide. For example, "藍(ai; indigo) and "紅花(benibana; safflower), shown in the image below, were used as medicinal herbs. People believed that by wearing kimonos dyed with these plants, they could absorb their benefits. According to the book I studied, indigo has antibacterial and moisturising properties. Soldiers would wear indigo-dyed underwear and, in the event of an injury, tear the fabric to use as bandages. Safflower, on the other hand, was known to promote blood circulation and alleviate menstrual pain, making it beneficial for women’s health. It makes sense, doesn't it?

Kimono is A Crystallisation of Silkworms' Lives

　Kimono are primarily made from silk, which isn’t derived from plants or synthetic fibres but from the threads spun by living silkworms. So, how many silkworms are sacrificed to make a single kimono? According to a book I read, it takes around 2,700 cocoons to produce just one kimono.

　By the way, the process of making silk involves boiling the silkworms in their cocoons to extract the threads, which means the silkworms are killed in the process. When you think about it this way, it certainly changes how we view not just kimono, but any clothing made from silk. It reminds us to cherish and take good care of the things we use.

Summary

　I was surprised to learn that many words we use regularly in everyday life actually originate from kimono. This study was insightful for me, and it has inspired me to wear a kimono and explore Kyoto the next time I go back to Japan. I highly recommend trying on a kimono when you visit Japan—it’s sure to be an enjoyable experience!

Thank you for reading!