A dazzling show of 100 detailed replicas of historical women¡¯s garments, ¡°Kimono: From the Kofun to the Edo Period¡± at the Kobe Fashion Museum takes us back in time in two ways.
The first way is obvious. The time span of the costumes on display, from Kofun (250-538) to Edo (1603-1867), offers a rare opportunity to see very early styles of Japanese dress and its development over time. These outfits are displayed on mannequins, making the exhibition a theatrical and dream-like trip through Japan¡¯s history.
Some pieces are based on designs from before the Muromachi Period (1336-1573) and before the kimono was even invented, such as a Kofun Period replica that consists of an upper robe with a charming leaf pattern, an ankle-length pleated skirt and a mantle, which the wearer would use to gesture with as a means of silent self-expression. This shows the strong influence of other areas of Southeast Asia on Japanese culture, and is quite different to the kimono.
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