Accessories & Garments

• Geta: Geta are wooden sandals worn by men and women with yukata. A slightly different style of geta is worn by geisha.

• Hakama: a divided or undivided skirt, rather like a very wide pair of pants, traditionally worn only by men but now worn also by women, and also worn in certain martial arts such as aikido. A hakama typically has pleats, a koshiita - a stiff or padded part in the lower back of the wearer, and himo - long lengths of fabric that are tied around the waist around an obi (described below). Hakama are worn in several budo arts such as aikido, kendo, iaido and naginata. They can range from very formal to visiting wear, depending on pattern. While very formal women's outfits do not include hakama, men's usually do.

• Haori: Hip- or thigh-length kimono coat which adds formality. Haori were originally reserved for men, until fashions changed at the end of the Meiji period. They are now worn by both men and women, though women's kimono jackets tend to be longer.

• Haori-himo: a tasseled, woven string fastener for the haori. The most formal colour is white.

• Obi: The Japanese equivalent of a sash or belt, which is used for a kimono or yukata. Obi are generally worn differently depending on the occasion, and they are usually more intricate for women.

• Tabi: Ankle high, divided-toe socks that are usually worn with sandals. They also come in a boot form.

• Waraji: Straw rope sandals. Most often seen on monks.

• Zori: Cloth, leather or grass-woven sandals. Zori may be highly decorated with intricate stitching or with no decoration at all. They are worn by both men and women. Grass woven zori with white straps are the most formal for men. They are similar in design to "flip-flops".

• Kanzashi: Hair ornaments worn in the coiffured hair style which often accompanies kimono. These may take the form of silk flowers, wooden combs, jade hairpins etc...