The present invention relates to a kimono. Specifically, the invention relates to a kimono which can be easily worn over clothing or the like even by a person who lacks skill in the art of kimono wear and for which skill in the art of kimono wear to make a beautiful kimono style is reproduced.

Kimono is a garment unique to Japan, and because of its beautiful appearance there is a desire to wear a kimono not only on ceremonial occasions but also on a daily basis. In addition, not only Japanese but also people from outside of Japan are interested in kimono.

However, in order to wear a kimono beautifully, skill in the art of kimono wear requires understanding in the structure of kimono at respective wearing steps, such as Erinuki (adjustment of the depth of the back collar), handling of the remaining part of the main panel, handling of Ohashori (tuck for adjustment of the length of a longer kimono) and the like.

In particular, "Erinuki" for making a back part of the neck look beautiful when a kimono is worn requires delicate adjustment for lowering the collar to an adequate depth. More specifically, there is a skill for making a woman's neckline look beautiful by the space between the neck and the collar of the back main panel made by lowering only a neck part of the back main panel directly downward by about 10 cm.

Herein, it is difficult to adjust the depth of the back collar to make it look beautiful after lowering the back main panel directly downward, but the skill of kimono wear perceived to be the most difficult is the skill of handling after Erinuki in which a draped sagging part of the cloth caused by lowering only a collar part of the back main panel is beautifully gathered under armpits to make tucks, and securely fixed with a chest rope. The same applies to handling of the draped sagging part of the cloth under armpits in the front main panel.

However, when steps to make tucks and fixation with the chest rope are unsuccessful, the cloth lowered directly downward during Erinuki returns to its original position, which causes a loss of shape in the collar part, resulting in poor appearance of the main panel. In the structure of kimono, the handling after Erinuki caused by lowering the part to which the collar is attached collinearly with the shoulder of the back main panel directly downward is the most important in skill in the art of kimono wear and the most difficult step.

Therefore, there have been proposed kimono for which Erinuki can be easily performed, making the most difficult handling after Erinuki unnecessary (for example, see Patent Document 1). Patent Document 1 describes Nagajuban (long kimono-like undergarment for kimono) having a belt for Erinuki for lowering the collar and a kimono which is worn thereon.

More specifically, Patent Document 1 describes a Nagajuban 100 and a kimono 101 shown in Fig. 9. A reinforced patch 102 and a through belt for Erinuki 103 are placed on the inside of the back of the Nagajuban 100. In a state that a person drapes the Nagajuban 100 and the kimono 101, the through belt for Erinuki 103 passing through the reinforced patch 102 is passed through the Nagajuban. Subsequently, the through belt for Erinuki 103 is turned to the front of the body on the inside of the Nagajuban 100, and the depth of the back collar is determined while the belt 103 is wrapped around the body and then fixed.

Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-43389

However, also when the skill in Patent Document 1 is used, the optimal depth of the back collar must be determined during adjustment, it is not easy for a person who lacks skill in the art of kimono wear to determine this. Also, the handling of the remaining part caused by Erinuki under the armpits is required, and thus skill in the art of kimono wear is required.

That means, while the kimono can be easily worn, knowledge and skill regarding kimono wear are required for wearing a kimono. In addition, for a simplified kimono, there also are many kimono for which steps requiring skill in the art of kimono wear are merely simplified or omitted and the appearance when worn is poor. Furthermore, in some kimono, posture and movement different from the conventional kimono wear skill are required, and a specialized wear method must be learned. As a result, there are problems that it cannot be preferably worn, and this causes a loss of shape when worn.

Thus, many conventional simplified kimono had problems that a conventional kimono wear skill for making a kimono style look beautiful could not be reproduced and the appearance was unpleasing or loss of shape in wear was easy to occur.

The object of the present invention is to provide a kimono which was devised in consideration of the above-mentioned points and can be easily worn even by a person who lacks skill in the art of kimono wear, and for which skill in the art of kimono wear to make a beautiful kimono style is fully reproduced.

The present invention to achieve the object is a kimono which comprises a collar belt member having first joint members on both ends, a bodice belt member arranged almost-parallel to the collar belt member and having both ends constituted so as to be connectable, a longitudinal member connected to a nearly-middle portion of the collar belt member and a nearly-middle portion of the bodice belt member, a second joint member placed on at least one end of the bodice belt member and constituted so as to be connectable with the first joint member, and a main panel part having an opening area along the outer periphery of the circular collar belt member formed by connecting the first joint member with the second joint member.

Herein, the collar of the Nagajuban which is conventionally worn under the kimono can be replaced by the collar belt member having the first joint members on the both ends, so that the collar part can be made to look beautiful. In addition, the kimono can be worn over clothing and conventional underwear.

In addition, the bodice belt member which is arranged almost-parallel to the collar belt member and has both ends constituted so as to be connectable is provided, thereby the collar belt member can be easily attached only by wrapping the bodice belt member around the body and connecting its ends with the bodice belt member.

In addition, the longitudinal member which is connected to the nearly-middle portion of the collar belt member and the nearly-middle portion of the bodice belt member is provided, thereby the collar belt member and the bodice belt member are integrated by the longitudinal member, so that the collar belt and the bodice belt can be more stably attached to the body. This allows the shape of the collar part to be maintained and make it look beautiful.

In addition, the bodice belt member constituted so that the both ends are connectable, and the longitudinal member connected with the nearly-middle portion of the bodice belt member are provided, thereby a state that the lowered collar is formed by attaching the longitudinal member, i.e. a state that the Erinuki was performed can be securely fixed by the bodice belt member. This can maintain the shape of the collar part and make it look beautiful.

In addition, the second joint member which is placed on at least one end of the bodice belt member and constituted so as to be connectable with the first joint member is provided, thereby the ends of the collar belt member are connected with the bodice belt member. This enables the circular shape of the attached collar belt to be fixed when the collar belt is attached from the back of the neck to the front of the body. This allows the shape of the collar part to be maintained and make it look beautiful.

In addition, the main panel part having an opening area along the outer periphery of the circular collar belt member formed by connecting the first joint member with the second joint member is provided, thereby a shape of a part around the neck of the collar belt after attachment precisely fits the shape of the neck part of the main panel. This allows for a beautiful collar part to be formed.

Note that the above-mentioned opening area means a curved space formed by previously lowering the neck part of the back main panel. Like a case that the collar is drawn downward in wearing the main panel, a shape that the position of the collar is lowered is formed. That is, by providing the opening area, a draped sagging part of the cloth is concealed and handling after Erinuki is not required, and an appearance like a kimono with the Erinuki can be caused.

Furthermore, the circular collar belt is formed as the collar part by comprising the collar belt member having the first joint members on the both ends, the second joint member placed on at least one end of the bodice belt member and constituted so as to be connectable with the first joint member, and the main panel part having an opening area along the outer periphery of the circular collar belt member formed by connecting the first joint member with the second joint member. In particular, on the back of the neck, an appropriate space is formed between the neck and the collar, a framework of the collar part having an appearance like a collar part of a kimono handled with the Erinuki is formed. This allows, by only wearing, a beautiful collar part like a kimono with the Erinuki.

In addition, when the longitudinal member is placed on a position corresponding to the wearer's back, the longitudinal member is attached along the back portion. This allows the collar belt and the bodice belt which are connected with the longitudinal member to be securely attached on the back as a middle point, the shape of the collarpart is stabilized, and loss of shape in wear is hardly caused.

In addition, when the tucks are placed at a position where the Obi (kimono sash) is worn in the main panel part and on end areas of the sides, the remaining cloth parts caused on the main panel part are put in the tucks. This allows for making unnecessary skill in the art of kimono wear in which the remaining cloth parts are handled under the armpits, and a simple appearance of the main panel like an appearance handled with skill can be obtained.

In addition, when the hem on the Tsuma (end of kimono ' s hem) side of the main panel part is placed higher than the hem on the side lines, the hem of the Tsuma side is heightened. With this step, skill in the art of kimono wear such as hemming up and fixing when worn which have been required for conventional kimono is unnecessary, and the bottom when a kimono is worn that looks beautiful like a kimono handled with skill can be ensured. In addition, since the wearing out of the hem such that the hem on the Tsuma side slides down with time is not caused, a beautiful appearance can be maintained.

In addition, when the front main panel is made from a cloth which was cut into upper and lower parts, in a case that the upper and lower clothes are sewn at an angle so that the inside portion is somewhat higher, skill in the art of kimono wear for making a beautiful line which is tapered downward from the lower back to the Tsuma is unnecessary, and a beautiful appearance can be made.

In addition, when the Ohashori member constituted so as to be able to be wrapped around the position where the Obi is worn in the main panel part and having one side of the longitudinal direction linearly formed and the other side angled down in a direction that the distance from the opposite side is gently decreased toward the both ends is provided, the difficult skill in the art of kimono wear for making a beautiful looking Ohashori by using a remaining part of the waist portion produced after prescribed positioning of the collar and the Stoma is unnecessary. Thereby, an appearance like the Ohashori portion of the conventional kimono can be obtained.

In addition, one side of the longitudinal direction is linearly formed, and the other side is angled down in a direction that the distance from the opposite side is gently decreased toward the both ends, thereby the Ohashori member can be wrapped around the body along the small of the lower back. With this step, the Ohashori member is wrapped straight perpendicular to the body, resulting in a beautiful appearance.

The kimono according to the present invention can be easily worn even by a person who lacks skill in the art of kimono wear, wherein skill in the art of kimono wear to make a beautiful kimono style can be fully reproduced.

• Fig. 1 is a schematic view showing an example of a kimono to which the present invention is applied.
• Fig. 2 is a schematic view showing an example of a collar belt member, a bodice belt member and a longitudinal member.
• Fig. 3 is a schematic view showing an example of a front main panel in a main panel part.
• Fig. 4 is a schematic view showing an example of a back main panel in a main panel part.
• Fig. 5 is a schematic view showing an example of an Ohashori member.
• Fig. 6 is a schematic view showing an example of an Obimakura (a small oval cushion to keep the Obi knot in place) belt and an Obi holder.
• Fig. 7 is a schematic view showing an example of a state of wearing of the collar belt member and the bodice belt member.
• Fig. 8 is a side view showing an example of a state of wearing of the collar belt member, the bodice belt member and the main panel part.
• Fig. 9 is a schematic view showing a Nagajuban and a kimono in a conventional simplified kimono.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to figures for understanding the present invention.

Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of a kimono to which the present invention is applied. Fig. 2 is a schematic view showing an example of a collar belt member, a bodice belt member and a longitudinal member. Fig. 3 is a schematic view showing an example of a front main panel in a main panel part. Fig. 4 is a schematic view showing an example of a back main panel in a main panel part. Fig. 5 is a schematic view showing an example of an Ohashori member. Fig. 6 is a schematic view showing an example of an Obimakura belt and an Obi holder.

Herein, as shown in Fig. 1, a kimono 1 to which the present invention is applied comprises a collar belt 2, a bodice belt 3, a back lining 4, a main panel 5 and an Ohashori belt 6.

First, as shown in Fig. 2, the collar belt 2 and the bodice belt 3 are arranged parallel to each other, and each middle portion is connected with the back lining 4. The bodice belt 3 and the back lining 4 are sewn at a portion of a seam 22 so that a position of the back lining 4 in a worn state can be structurally fixed by the bodice belt 3.

In addition, a distance between the collar belt 2 and the bodice belt 3 is about 15 cm. In addition, a width of the bodice belt 3 is about 12 cm.

Hook and loop fasteners 7 are placed on both ends of the collar belt 2 . Also, hook and loop fasteners 8 are placed on both ends of the bodice belt 3 so that the bodice belt 3 can be wrapped around a body and fixed. Also, hook and loop fasteners 20 are placed on the opposite surfaces of the surface having the hook and loop fasteners 8 on the both ends of the bodice belt 3. For the hook and loop fasteners 8 and 20, wide fasteners are used. All of the hook and loop fasteners are male and female same-body fasteners.

In addition, a fusible interlining 9 is bonded to a portion corresponding to a neck part in the collar belt 2. The collar belt 2 is made by bonding the relatively thick fusible interlining 9 at a width of 12 cm and length of 120 cm to a middle portion of the cloth at a width of 12 cm and length of 150 cm by an iron, and folding in two and sewing this.

Herein, although the bodice belt 3 and the back lining 4 are sewn at the portion of the seam 22, it is only necessary to connect them, and it is not necessary to fix them at the portion of the seam 22. However, the above-mentioned constitution is preferable, because a shape that the collar is lowered is easy to maintain by securely connecting the bodice belt 3 with the back lining 4.

In addition, although the distance between the collar belt 2 and the bodice belt 3 is not limited to a particular length, the above-mentioned constitution is preferable, because a length of about 15 cm can respond to different body types of wearers to some extent.

In addition, it is not necessary to form the bodice belt 3 so as to have a width of about 12 cm. However, since the bodice belt 3 can be tightly wrapped around the upper body and is unlikely to loosen and slip off after wrapping by forming the bodice belt 3 so as to have a certain width, the above-mentioned constitution is preferable.

In addition, although the hook and loop fasteners 7 are placed on the both ends of the collar belt 2, it is only necessary to constitute the ends of the collar belt 2 so as to be fixable, and it is not necessary to place the hook and loop fasteners. However, it is preferable to place hook and loop fasteners, because they can be easily attached and detached.

In addition, although the hook and loop fasteners 8 are placed on the both ends of the bodice belt 3, it is only necessary to constitute the both ends so as to be connectable, and it is not necessary to place the hook and loop fasteners. However, it is preferable to place hook and loop fasteners, because they can be easily attached and detached.

In addition, although, on the both ends of the bodice belt 3, the hook and loop fasteners 20 are placed on the opposite surfaces of the surface having the hook and loop fasteners 8, it is only necessary to constitute the ends of the collar belt so as to be fixable, and it is not necessary to place the hook and loop fasteners. However, it is preferable to place hook and loop fasteners, because they can be easily attached and detached.

In addition, it is not necessary to place the hook and loop fasteners 8 and 20 on the both surfaces on the both ends of the bodice belt 3 and to use wide fasteners. However, the constitution is preferable, because the belt can be wrapped around the body in either case of the right end or left end on the upside, by placing the hook and loop fasteners on the both surfaces of the ends. In addition, the entire thickness of the bodice belt 3 and the hook and loop fasteners 8 and 20 is constant by using a wide hook and loop fastener. This is preferable, because the fastener serves the role as a stiffener in wrapping the Obi, and an Obi-ita (accessory used to set the shape of the Obi) is not required. Furthermore, the constitution is preferable, because the bodice belt 3 can be tightly wrapped regardless of wearer's age and body type.

It is not necessary to bond the fusible interlining 9 to the portion corresponding to the neck part in the collar belt 2, and the widths and lengths of the collar belt 2 and the fusible interlining 9 are not limited to particular sizes. However, the above-mentioned constitution is preferable, because even if the collar belt 2 is brought into contact with the nape, pain is not caused and the shape is hardly lost even with repeated use, so that a beautiful shape of the collar part can be maintained.

As shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, the main panel 5 is composed of a front main panel 10 and a back main panel 11. The front main panel 10 and the back main panel 11 are joined through side line portions 12 of the front main panel 10 and side portions 13 of the back main panel 11 to form one main panel.

In addition, as shown in Fig. 3, the front main panel 10 is constituted so that a hem 15 on the side of the Tsuma, i.e. a position of the hem on the middle side of the body, is placed about 15 cm above a position of a hem 16 on the side line. This is constituted by sewing a cloth which was cut into upper and lower parts at an angle so that an inside portion 30 is positioned about 15 cm above an outer portion 31, when the front main panel 10 is made from cloth which was cut into upper and lower parts.

In addition, as shown in Fig. 4, an opening area 17 which was cut from the top middle portion of the upper side in a range of 10 cm in length and width is placed on an area corresponding to a back neck part of the back main panel 11. In addition, lower both ends 18 of the opening area 17 are constituted so as to be curved.

In addition, the front main panel 10 and the back main panel 11 have Kakeeri (collar protector) 14 on a portion in contact with the neck. In addition, tucks 21 are respectively provided on positions as high as the Obi worn on the front main panel 10 and the back main panel 11 and on areas of the side lines.

Herein, it is not necessary to constitute the kimono so that the hem 15 on the Tsuma side of the front main panel 10 is about 15 cm above the position of the hem 16 on the side lines. In addition, the length is not limited to about 15 cm. However, the above-mentioned constitution is preferable, because the hem on the Tsuma side is raised when worn, and thus the bottom can be made to look beautiful. In addition, unlike hemming up with the conventional skill in the art of kimono wear, it is not necessary to fix in a state of hemming up, and thus the hem does not slide down with time.

In addition, it is only necessary to constitute the opening area 17 of the back main panel 11 so as to lie along the outer periphery of the circular collar belt 2 when worn, and its size is not limited.

Although it is not necessary to constitute lower both ends 18 of the opening area 17 so as to be curved, the above-mentioned constitution is preferable, because the curved shape lies along the roundness of the wearer's shoulder portions, and thus a more beautiful collar part of the back collar can be made.

In addition, it is not necessary to place the tucks 21 on the front main panel 10 and the back main panel 11 . However, it is preferable to place the tucks 21, because the remaining part is housed therein, and sagging and wrinkling are hardly caused. In addition, in order to enhance their effects, it is more preferable to place them at four areas on both sides of the front main panel 10 and the back main panel 11.

As shown in Fig. 5, hook and loop fasteners 19 are placed on both ends of the Ohashori belt 6. In addition, the Ohashori belt 6 is constituted so that one cloth is folded at the lower part and its upper end is sewn. In addition, its upper side is angled down from the middle portion to the side portions so that the width is gradually decreased toward the side portions. In addition, the Ohashori belt 6 is made of a fabric with the same pattern as of the main panel 5. All the hook and loop fasteners are male and female same-body fasteners.

Herein, although the hook and loop fasteners 19 are placed on the both ends of the Ohashori belt 6, it is only necessary to constitute the Ohashori belt 6 so as to be able to be wrapped around the body over the main panel 5, and it is not necessary to place the hook and loop fasteners. However, it is preferable to place the hook and loop fasteners, because it can be easily attached and detached.

In addition, it is not necessary to constitute the Ohashori belt 6 so that one cloth is folded at the lower part and its upper end is sewn. However, the above-mentioned constitution is preferable, because a space is formed within the Ohashori belt 6, and it looks like a conventional Ohashori which is made by folding a remaining part of a left front main panel of a kimono.

In addition, it is not necessary to form the Ohashori belt 6 so that its upper side is angled down from the middle portion to the sides and the width is gradually decreased toward the side portions. However, the above-mentioned constitution is preferable, because the upper side angles lie along the small of the lower back when worn, and the Ohashori belt 6 can be wrapped straight perpendicular to the body, resulting in good appearance.

When the Obi is worn, an Obimakura belt 25 in which an Obimakura 23 and an Obiage (sash bustle) 24 are integrated as shown in Fig. 6 is used. The Obimakura belt 25 is composed of an object formed by stuffing a quilting cotton 26 into the middle portion of the cloth of the Obiage 24 and sewing it.

In addition, when the Obi is worn, an Obi holder 29 having a tunnel 28 through which an Obihimo (webbing strap) 27 passes as shown in Fig. 6 is used. On the Ohashori belt 6, an Obi belt (not shown) which has an appearance looking like the Obi and can be wrapped around the body with the hook and loop fastener is used.

In addition, when the Obi is worn, Taiko-obi (Obi fastened with a drum-shaped knot) accessory (not shown) or Bunko-obi (Obi fastened with a ribbon-shaped knot) accessory (not shown) constituted so that the Obi holder 29 through which an Obimakura belt 25 and the Obihimo 27 pass can be inserted therethrough, is used. They are attached over the Obi belt and the Obimakura belt, and fastened to the body by the Obiage 24 and the Obihimo 27 to fix them.

Herein, when the Obi is worn, it is not necessary to use the Obimakura belt 25, and conventional Obimakura and Obiage which are separated from each other before use can be used. However, the Obimakura belt 25 is preferable, because the Obiage can be wrapped around the body without a step for putting the Obimakura into the Obiage by integrating the Obimakura and the Obiage, and it is easy to wear.

In addition, it is only necessary to fix the Obi and adjust its shape, and the material for the Obimakura 25 is not limited to the quilting cotton 26.

In addition, when the Obi is worn, the Obi holder 29, the Obi belt and the Taiko-obi or Bunko-obi accessory are not necessarily required, and the Obi becomes worn by using the conventional Obi and Obihimo. However, they are preferable, because the step for wearing the Obi can be easy by separation between the part for wrapping the Obi around the body and the accessory having the appearance looking like the Taiko-obi or Bunko-obi. This allows the Obi to be fixed only by procedures that the Obi belt is wrapped around the body, on which the accessory is put, and fasten the Obihimo 27 and the Obiage 24. Unlike a conventional step for wearing the Obi, it is not necessary to put arms toward the back in a state that the Obi is wrapped around the body, pass through a rope in a posture difficult to work, adjust the shape of the Obi and fix it.

Hereinafter, the wear method for the kimono 1 constituted as mentioned above will be described by reference to the figures. Fig. 7 is a schematic view showing an example of a state of wearing the collar belt member and the bodice belt member. Fig. 8 is a side view showing an example of a state of wearing the collar belt member, the bodice belt member and the main panel part.

First, the bodice belt 3 is wrapped around the body at a part under the chest, as shown in Fig. 7 (a) . The bodice belt 3 is fixed by the hook and loop fasteners 8 placed on its ends. In addition, the collar belt 2 is hung on the shoulders from the back side and crossed in front of the body, and the collar belt 2 is fixed using the hook and loop fasteners 7 on the ends of the collar belt 2 and the hook and loop fastener 20 on the surface of the bodice belt 3.

In addition, the back lining 4 is positioned in the middle of the back, as shown in Fig. 7 (b) . The circular collar belt 2 which has been formed thus far becomes a beautiful collar part of the kimono.

In addition, the bodice belt 3 becomes unlikely to loosen and slip off by being wrapped almost straight perpendicular to the body. Thereby, the shape of the collar part becomes easy to maintain, and the loss of shape when worn is hardly caused.

Next, the main panel 5 is draped over the attached collar belt 2, as shown in Fig. 8. The Kakeeri 14 overlaps on and lies along the collar belt 2. The overlapped front main panel is fixed using a Korin belt (elastic with plastic clips on both ends). Note that, for the Korin belt, a commercial one may be used.

Subsequently, the Ohashori belt 6 is wrapped around the area of the main panel 5 where the Obi is worn, and fixed by the hook and loop fasteners 19. The Ohashori belt 6 can look like the conventional Ohashori by wearing it so that the folded side becomes the bottom side. Up to this point, wearing of a kimono before the step of wearing the Obi has been completed.

Next, the step of wearing the Obi will be described.

Over the Ohashori belt 6, the Obi belt is further wrapped around the body and fixed. Subsequently, the Taiko-obi accessory which the Obimakura belt 25 and the Obi holder 29 pass through is overlapped on the Obi belt on the back side. The Obiage 24 of the Obi belt 25 is wrapped from the back side to the front of the body, and fastened and fixed on the front side of the body.

Next, like the Obimakura belt 25, the Obihimo 27 is also wrapped around the body, and fastened and fixed at a position where it overlaps with the front Obi belt. Herein, the Bunko-obi accessory can be used instead of the Taiko-obi accessory. When the Obi is worn, wearing of the kimono has been completed.

Thus, the kimono according to the present invention can be easily worn even by a person who lacks skill in the art of kimono wear, and skill in the art of kimono wear to make a beautiful kimono style is fully reproduced.

• 1 Kimono
• 2 Collar belt
• 3 Bodice belt
• 4 Back lining
• 5 Main panel
• 6 Ohashori belt
• 7 Hook and loop fastener
• 8 Hook and loop fastener
• 9 Fusible interlining
• 10 Front main panel
• 11 Back main panel
• 12 Side line portion
• 13 Side portion
• 14 Kakeeri
• 15 Hem on the side of Tsuma
• 16 Hem on the side line
• 17 Opening area
• 18 Lower both ends of the opening area
• 19 Hook and loop fastener
• 20 Hook and loop fastener
• 21 Tuck
• 22 Seam
• 23 Obimakura
• 24 Obiage
• 25 Obimakura belt
• 26 Quilting cotton
• 27 Obihimo
• 28 Tunnel
• 29 Obi holder
• 30 Portion on the inside of the cut/suture portion of the front main panel
• 31 Portion on the outside of the cut/suture portion of the front main panel