Who/where can I find the best YUKATA maker in all of Japan?
Ichiroya and Rakuten. Seriously, I have bough yukata from all over, both in terms of internet shops and actual shops in Japan (including having one custom-made for me while living there) and they are all pretty much the same in terms of quality, craftsmanship, etc. If you want a designer yukata, your best bet is probably going to be Rakuten. Just keep in mind that if you aren't the same size as a typical Japanese person, it probably won't fit you properly. Also keep in mind that just because it's designer doesn't mean it's better (though spending more money might get you better quality, to a point -- you would want to make sure you're actually paying for quality, not just a designer name).
How much does a Kimono or Yukata cost?
Depends on what kind you buy, whether or not you're including the cost of all the things you need, and where you buy it. Usually on the internet I can find brand-new, unused yukata for between $30-50 USD. Second-hand ones can be as low as $15. Of course, there are exceptions to this. In Japan I have seen them go for as little as $15 and as much as $300 (for a custom-made one or a pre-made name-brand one -- and yes, there is such a thing as a name-brand yukata in Japan). Adding accessories can easily double the price depending on what you get. Kimono are much more complicated. New ones can go for hundreds or thousands of dollars depending on the material used to make it, the formality of the kimono, and the like. Accessories aren't cheap either -- tiny things like obi age and obi jime can cost $50 each and obi can cost as much as or more than the kimono. It's much more reasonable to buy second-hand items. With second-hand kimono, the price will vary depending on material, formality, quality, wearability (i.e. is it stained badly), and other factors like age or whether or not it's a special kimono (like an authentic geisha kimono). Generally speaking, wearable second-hand kimono don't go much over $300, and that's often the high end for formal kimono. Sometimes you'll find one that goes for more, and antique pieces or special items like geisha kimono can go for hundreds or thousands of dollars even if they're badly damaged. Accessories like juban, obi, obi age, obi jime, and the like can easily add $100 or more to the cost of the entire ensemble. There are exceptions, of course -- I once got lucky and got a wedding kimono in perfect condition for $15. Something like that would normally for at least $100 second-hand. But exceptions can be rare so you shouldn't base your expectations on them. You should check places like Kimono Market Sakura, Nissen, and Rakuten for new kimono and yukata, or Ichiroya, Yamatoku, or Shinei for second-hand ones. You can usually find them on eBay too but I don't recommend looking on auction sites like that until you can identify the junk and the good stuff on sight and can tell if you're being ripped off or not.
What is the main difference between a ''kimono'' and a ''yukata''?
There really is no simple explanation. However, you can generally identify a yukata versus any other kind of kimono by a few things: 1) Season: If it's not summer, it's probably not a yukata. Yukata are very casual kimono meant to be worn in the summer or as bathrobes at places like hot springs. 2) Material: If it's made of cotton it's probably a yukata. If it's not made of cotton it's probably not a yukata. 3) The collar: A regular kimono has at least two collars. One sits up close to the neck, while the other is a bit lower in the front so the first collar can be seen clearly. Basically what you're looking at is the juba collar showing underneath the kimono collar. You don't wear a juban under a yukata, though, so there should only be one collar (some people attached decorative ruffles to yukata collars for fun, but it's a very different look that the appearance of a juban collar under a kimono collar). 4) Footwear: You never ever ever go without socks with a kimono...except when you're wearing yukata. If the person you're looking at isn't wearing socks, the chances are much higher that you're looking at a yukata than a regular kimono. Some people might make exceptions for really fun patterned socks, though, so this isn't always the best way to tell. 5) Really crazy decorative stuff, like heko obi (soft, scarf-like wraps as opposed to the stiffer, flat obi), false obi jime, or an obi that has been twisted or folded in the front to show off the color on the reverse side. Heko obis might be used on their own, which is something you would never see with other kinds of kimono except possibly on small children. Some people also use them in conjunction with a regular obi to look more decorative. If someone is wearing an obi jime, look to see if it seems to be holding any part of the obi bow in place. On a regular kimono the obi jime is both decorative and useful (it helps hold the bow together), but on a yukata it's just decorative. If you see an obi that's twisted or folded in the front, you're almost definitely looking at a yukata, because you wouldn't do that kind of thing at all with a regular kimono.
What is the difference between a Kimono and a Yukata in traditional Japanese clothing?
Yukata and kimono are traditional Japanese clothing. Most of the people just know the names yukata and kimono, but hardly know the actual difference between the two.The basic difference that can be seen between yukata and kimono, is in their fabric. Yukata comes in cotton fabric. On the contrary, a kimono dress comes in silk fabric.Another difference that can be seen, is that yukata is worn during the summer season. They are also worn as bathrobes in places such as Hot Springs. Literally meaning, bathing clothes, yukata (浴衣) has been derived from ‘Yu’(浴), which means bath, and ‘katabira’, which means under clothing. Literally meaning, a ‘thing to wear’, kimono (着物) has been derived from ‘Ki’(着), which means ‘wear’, and ‘mono’(物), which means ‘thing’.Unlike yuakata clothing, kimono clothing has at least two collars. Of the two collars, one sits close to the neck, and the other one is placed a bit lower, so that the two collars are seen distinctively.While using kimono, socks will have to be worn. It means that unique shoes, like zori or geta, will have to be worn with kimono clothing. Although, this is not mandatory while wearing a yukata dress.Both men and women normally wear kimono. On the other hand, yukata is worn more by women than men. In terms of cost, the kimono is more expensive than yukata. Moreover, one can see that the Kimono designs are very unique, and one will not come across two kimonos of the same type.Well, kimono is considered to be more a glamorous dress. On the other hand, yukata clothing is considered to be a simple garment.SummaryYukata comes in cotton fabric. On the contrary, a kimono dress comes in silk fabric.Unlike yuakata clothing, kimono clothing has at least two collars.Shoes like zori or geta will have to be worn with kimono clothing, but this is not mandatory while wearing a yukata dress.Yukata is worn during the summer season. They are also worn as bathrobes in places such as Hot Springs.Both men and women normally wear kimono. On the other hand, yukata is worn more by women than men.In terms of cost, the kimono is more expensive than yukata.Source: Difference Between Yukata and Kimono
Is this a trust worthy site kimono-yukata-market.com I cant find any reviews only whats on the website it self?
It's a reasonably good site. I would only buy yukata and yukata accessories from there though, as I think there are better places to go for other kinds of kimono. Also, keep in mind that the maximum measurement they give for their yukata is not accurate. Yukata need to fit in such a way that the front panels completely overlap when shut, and if you're going by the maximum measurements they give that just won't work.
I have an authentic Yukata (a lighter summer casual kimono), if I wear it the proper way, would it be considered culture insensitive for Halloween costume?
At least Japanese people living in Japan won't find anything wrong with that (as long as you keep the "right-collar beneath the left-collar" rule!); they will just feel proud of their culture. People over 90 years old might say it's inappropriate to wear a yukata in autumn, but who cares about it in the 21st century? It's just clothes, don't care too much about rules (but keep your left-collor over your right collar, again ;-)) Look at that picture, the lady in the right side is wearing it a bit short with a western-styled sandal and a Japanese-taste bag. The lady in the left side is wearing it in a traditional way, with a western-styled shoulder bag. Both are wonderful!
I want to know if it is okay for me, as an American, to wear a yukata to a cherry blossom festival near me?
Your nationality doesn’t matter; most Japanese are thrilled to see foreigners wearing traditional kimonos.However, yukatas are only worn during the summer months, since they are unlined, made of lighter materials such as cotton or linen, and worn without an under-kimono. It would be a grave breach of etiquette to wear a yukata to a cherry blossom festival—even for a Japanese person. (Actually, the sin would be greater for a Japanese person, who would be expected to know better.) Not to mention quite chilly.If you want to go for a traditional look, buy or rent a casual kimono for the occasion and save your yukata for a festival in the summer.
Where can I find a pattern to make a Nagajuban? (underclotes for yukata/kimono)?
Shiori_hime: Thank you for taking the time to give me a long, well thought out answer (really, I'm not being sarcastic) but for the juban I was really hoping to find a site, not how to find a site. And folkwear doesn't have a juban pattern, I checked there before asking :) (I'm familiar with them, they've got good stuff and a large variety)
What do Japanese think of non-Japanese wearing traditional Kimono?
My answer is twofold.I often wear a kimono for work and I do get a lot of compliments from Japanese people. Sometimes they want to shake my hand and take photographs with me. They can see that my kimono is clearly not a rental kimono, and that I respect and admire the culture. In general, they love it. I have never had anything other than positive experiences.One of the ladies I work with is an absolutely lovely Japanese lady. She is about 35, married, and stunningly elegant. She is incredibly intelligent and is a tea ceremony master with high-level qualifications in tea, kimono wearing, flower arranging, Japanese calligraphy and many other cultural endeavors. She is very beautiful, but not in a fake way, wearing minimal makeup and no jewelry. She has a wardrobe of dozens of the finest kimonos that she has accumulated over the years and she wears them impeccably. However, occasionally, as she walks past old ladies in Kyoto, they whisper snide comments like “fake,” “ugly,” and “presumptuous,” just loud enough to be heard.So my answer is that in general Japanese people are very happy if you show a genuine, respectful interest in their culture, and that jealous, judgmental arseholes exists in every country who will frown upon you to make themselves feel better no matter what you do or where you come from.