Classic Collection
Vintage Wedding Kimonos
To buy a new wedding kimono would be thousands of dollars, so most Japanese brides rent theirs. When the season is over, rental agencies sell them in lots to vendors at the Kyoto markets or other wholesalers, which is where we get them. Even as former rentals, these kimono are typically in excellent conditon, since brides in Japan never eat, drink or dance in their kimonos - they are usually for picture-taking only. Unless stated otherwise in the description, the fabric is silk, the condition is excellent (like new) and the sizing is as follows: Length = 70-72", width from wrist to wrist is 50-52", and hip/waist 42-45".
Click on any of the photos or links in the description area to see more pictures.


"Long Life, Long Love " Wedding Kimono - $850

ITEM NUMBER: 0307WWedKim6
What a masterfully designed kimono - so many layers of pattern create an almost three-dimensional effect. Well placed focal points the soaring cranes against red clouds (some of them embroidered) really draw your attention across the landscape of the design from the sleeve to the hem and up to the shoulder. The rich burgundy background compliments the many reds and red-orange of the clouds and florals. The hexagon shape symbolizes the tortoise shell, calling for a long life together for the bride and groom. Within each hexagon is another auspicious symbol - bamboo, chrysanthemums, maple leaves, cranes, a family crest, and more. Gold couching on some of the crane wing feathers, and gold florals and geometrics stenciled across the clouds. There are two very light blemishes in two of the hexagon shapes on the back, but you have to look closely to find them; otherwise excellent condition.
Colors: rich red, blue, gree, and gold on deep magenta
Fabric: Silk Lined?  Yes
Size: Length = 70" Hips= 39 " Wrist-to-Wrist=49"
Condition: Very good, see description.

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"Floral Archway" Kakeshita Wedding Kimono - $930

ITEM NUMBER: R31

Design:

 Bright and dazzling yellow background suggests that this kakeshita was designed for the summer season. Irises are in bloom and they arch from one sleeve to the other, drawing the eye across the shoulders. The florals are backed by cloudlike plumes of leaves, with more blossoms gathered at the hemline, almost like a garden, to provide balance and visual "weight" to the gown. Deep red lining peeks out at the hem and sleeves, just enough to provide a flash of color when the bride moves.

Style:

 Kakeshita: This style of ceremonial kimono is a "lighter" style (sometimes called a wedding furisode) and has a thin padding at the hem, with most of the design located at the shoulders, sleeves and hemline, which leaves the waist area free if the bride chooses to wear this with an obi sash, though it can also be worn open, trailing behind, to reveal whatever she's wearing beneath it.

Photos:

 Back displayed, colors, floral, sweeping, padded hem, lining

Colors:

 Yellow, primary colors, with green and purple

Fabric:

 Silk  

Size:

 Length = 72" Hips= 42" Wrist-to-Wrist=50"

Condition:

 Excellent

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"Yours Forever " Wedding Kimono - $1800

ITEM NUMBER: 0206CWedKim1
Design:
 At first glance you might miss the subtle change in color from red to olive to gold and back again. The elaborately woven design includes treasure carts and traditional drums, heaped with flowers in a pallet rich wit of dozens of colors. Lined in red, lots of gold to shimmer in the light. Unsure of the age but we guess it is from the 1950's or earlier.
Style:

Uchikake --This style of ceremonial kimono features an elaborate overall pattern that is heavily brocaded, painted or woven with a thick padding at the hem. It is designed to be worn open (not fastened at the waist with a sash), trailing behind the bride, and allowing a glimpse of the kimono, gown or dress she's wearing beneath it.
Photos: Back displayed, brocade, color, carts, floral, front view
Colors: Vermillion with purple, green, metalics
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"Wedding Dowry Cart" Wedding Kimono - $795 (includes shipping from Japan)

ITEM NUMBER: 0907GWedKim2
Exquisite bridal kimono with a traditional patterning that features paired cranes and auspicious florals (bush clover, mums, peonies) and the centerpeice: a detailed wedding cart which carried the bride's dowry items (especially her kimonos!). Heavily embroidered designs against a deep vermillion red background. The designs on each sleeve and in each section of the kimono are different, owing to the intricate design of the patterning. Lots of gold throughout. Red lining and a thickly padded hemline is protected by a removable white cotton cover.
Colors: deep vermillion background, pastels, white and gold
Fabric: Silk Lined?  Yes
Size: Length = 70" Hips= 43 " Wrist-to-Wrist=50"
Condition: Excellent 

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"My Blue Heaven " Wedding Kimono - $1050

ITEM NUMBER: 0307WWedKim1
A dazzling blue background - somewhat hard to find in the vintage kimono world - gives depth to the design of scattered, colorful blossoms clustered around golden folding fans. There are two fan designs, each with a different floral motif. The wonderful orange lining (orange is a color of wealth and prosperity) that peeks out at the sleeve and also frames the hemline of the kimono as it covers the thick padding that adds weight and drape to the kimono. There is a sheen of elegance to the fabric. This gown is quite heavy from the elaborate brocade - perfect to encourage the bride to float slowly and gracefully down the aisle. To display this treasure with its 42" sleeves after the ceremony, you will want a sturdy display dowel - see our wooden hanging rod collection here.
Colors: bright multicolor florals on a bright cobalt blue, lots of orange and gold
Fabric: Silk Lined?  Yes
Size: Length = 75" Hips= 42" Wrist-to-Wrist=52"
Condition: Excellent

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"Fanfare Wedding" Wedding Kimono - $775 (includes shipping from Japan)

ITEM NUMBER: 0307GWedKim3
A ravishing beauty you'll be in this bridal kimono with a white background (fairly rare - red is much more common) and a dazzling array of florals and folding fans. Several different designs appear on each fan - bamboo and shells, waves in blue, a poem in red, and much more. The color mix of bold red and pastel pinks gives depth and defiinition to the design. There is a treasure (dowry) cart in gold at the upper back, adorned by yet more flowers. And don't miss the lining - gold lame shine. A wonderful display piece - perhaps the colors make it easier to add to a western decor - but it is a focus piece no matter where it appears!
Colors: white with pastel blue, pink and green, and bright red, lots of gold
Fabric: Silk Lined?  Yes
Size: Length = 72" Hips= 42" Wrist-to-Wrist=52"
Condition: Excellent

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"Peacocks in the Pines " Wedding Kimono - $550 (includes shipping from Japan)

ITEM NUMBER: 0406GWedKim7
White on white wedding kimono (called a shiromuku) with a raised textured design of peacocks among the pine branches. Peacocks are more rare on wedding kimonos (where normally you'd see cranes), but note the long feathers and the crowned head of the bird. The fabric is a silk that has a matte, rather than the more commonly-found shiny finish. The padded hem has a removable cover, long (41") sleeves, and a white lining.
Colors: White on white
Fabric: Silk Lined?  Yes
Size: L= 70" Hips= 44" Wrist-to-Wrist=51"
Condition: Excellent

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"Meiji Bridal" Wedding Kimono - $1750

ITEM NUMBER: 0206GWedKim7
Design:
 This kimono is typical of the Meiji Period (1868-1912), with its all over metalic brocade of cranes in flight and pine branches. The chirimen crepe red lining is a telltale sign of the age of the kimono. In excellent condition, considering the age is near (if not past) 100 years. Black background and the pattern is bronzy gold and silver. Thick padding at the hem for weight and swoosh as the bride slid her feet lightly across the tatami. Some very slight wear on the padding, but still quite wearable but certainly a showpiece for any collection. Slightly smaller than usual by about two inches in lenght, width, and waist.
Style:

Uchikake --This style of ceremonial kimono features an elaborate overall pattern that is heavily brocaded, painted or woven with a thick padding at the hem. It is designed to be worn open (not fastened at the waist with a sash), trailing behind the bride, and allowing a glimpse of the kimono, gown or dress she's wearing beneath it.
Photos: Back displayed, brocade, color, front view, lining, slight wear on the padding
Colors: Copper and silver metalics on black, red lining

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"A Feast for the Eyes" Wedding Kimono - $500

ITEM NUMBER: 0107GWedKim3
Bright colors and a festive floral design that draws the eye through this garden of celebration. The traditionally lucky orange background holds its own against the splashes of purple, gold, blue and green. Notice the gold couching that outlines several of the images. The pattern is different on each sleeve, and it travels across the shoulder to frame the neckline. The blank area at the waist waits patiently for a sash...
Colors: tropical blend of brights on orange.
Fabric: Silk Lined?  Yes
Size: L= 70" Hips= 44" Wrist-to-Wrist=50"
Condition: Excellent

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"Fan of Fans " Wedding Kimono - $600

ITEM NUMBER: 0107GWedKim1
Such a simple patterning - just fans - yet there are several differences in each one. Some are wide open, some folded more; there are silver and gold and white; some are facing up or down, yet all elaborately woven. And did you notice there is a wavy design behind the fan pattern? There's more to each kimono than first meets the eye. This kimono an elegant piece for display after the ceremony, though it is a slightly heavier uchikake-style wedding kimono and would need a sturdy hanging rod.
Colors: the celebratory orange-red of wedding kimonos with gold, white and silver
Fabric: Silk Lined?  Yes
Size: L= 72" Hips= 44" Wrist-to-Wrist=51"
Condition: Excellent

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"Amazing Grace" (with Designer's Stamp) Wedding Kimono - $900

ITEM NUMBER: 0406GWedKim8
Hard to find royal purple wedding kimono! Wonderful design of ovals and in each is a different collection of flowers or treasure carts. Mums, peonies, irises, and many other types, all in festive colors and with the always-celebratory splash of gold and embroidery detail. The bonus on this kimono is the maker's mark - the stamp you rarely find on these wedding kimonos - appearing on the inside front panel, done in red in a rectangle of cream. The long 44" sleeves and padded hem add to the grandeur, and the red lining peeks out at the sleeve. collar and hem to tempt the eye - and perhaps the heart as well.
Colors: Royal purple, muticlored floral
Fabric: Silk Lined?  Yes
Size: L= 70" Hips= 45" Wrist-to-Wrist=50"
Condition: Excellent

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"June Bride " Wedding Kimono - $550 (includes shipping from Japan)

ITEM NUMBER: 0406GWedKim6
White on white wedding kimono (called a shiromuku) usually used in a Shinto wedding ceremony, but newly popular with Ameican brides who would like to wear something traditional but different a their wedding. This one has a smooth silky finish and a jacquard design on cranes (a common theme in wedding kimonos) and florals and treasure carts (full of dowry items!). The padded hem, long (41") sleeves, and a white lining. Easy to wear unbelted, since the length creates a train for anyone under 5'10" tall.
Colors: White on white
Fabric: Silk Lined?  Yes
Size: L= 70" Hips= 44" Wrist-to-Wrist=51"
Condition: Excellent

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