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GLOSSARY:
EBOSHI: Men�s upstanding silk hat, shaped like a tea cozy.
FURISODE: Woman�s robe with long hanging sleeves.
HAKAMA: Divided skirt or full pleated trousers.
HAORI: Short robe worn over a kosode like a jacket.
JINBAORI: Heraldic vest worn over armour to designate one�s allegiance.
KOBAKAMA (YOROI): Knee length pleated trousers worn under armour and by commoners.
KOSODE: Robe with a small sleeve opening.
MON: Family crest usually of circular design.
OBI: Long sash of varying widths worn to belt the robe.
OSODE: Robe with a large sleeve opening.
UCHITAKE: Formal outer robe worn unbelted over a kosode.
THE USE OF COLOR AND DESIGN:
RED � Represents color itself and is associated with the sun, with life force, and with passion.
PURPLE � Associated with the highest rank of nobility, and it also connotes life love, longing and elegance.
BLUE � Appears to be universal in that it crosses all boundaries of time, place and social rank. It was a favorite color of the Samurai or warrior class.
GREEN AND YELLOW � Usually associated with springtime and nature. Yellow was usually used as an accent color.
BLACK � Associated with wisdom, mystery, and magic. Teachers and clerics wore this color.
BROWN AND GREY � Originally these were the ubiquitous colors worn by commoners but the with the heightened influence of the Teamasters in the Momoyama Period, their popularity increased.
WHITE � Associated with death and funerals. Brides who are �dead� to their childhood and father�s household also wear it.
DESIGNS � Images of nature (animals, plants and flowers) were the most popular. Even these took on secondary, poetic meanings (a cat represented a man�s courtesan and a crow stood for his disagreeable wife). Other designs were the mundane items surrounding the wearer such as a fan, a mirror, or a ball but the image was lifted to new artistic heights by the addition of embroidery and dyeing.
COLOR YOUR OWN KIMONOS: