HOW TO WEAR YUKATA

Step 1: Hold the two collar ends (‘erisaki’) with the right hand. Place the yukata to the right side and take a step forward.

Step 2: Bring the yukata over the back of the body. Open it up.

Step 3: Wear the yukata over the shoulders. Hold both overlaps with both hands away from the body.

Step 4: Hold the yukata tightly and lift it off the floor. Lower the yukata slowly to adjust its length. The skirting of the yukata is worn just above the ankles.

Step 5: Continue to hold the yukata tightly. Bring the left overlap over the body and adjust its width such that its edge runs along the right point of the hipbone.

Step 6: Continue to hold the yukata tightly. Open up the left overlap and bring the right overlap over the body. Lift the end of the right overlap by about 3-5cm.

Step 7: Continue to hold the yukata tightly. Bring the left overlap over the right overlap and hold its end with the right hand. Take the first waist sash (‘koshi himo’ sash) with the left hand.

Step 8: Remove any creases around the stomach, waist and back with the left hand. Tie the ‘koshi himo’ sash around the waist.

Step 9: Insert both hands into the openings under the arm (‘miyatsuguchi’). Use both hands to remove any creases around the waist on both the back and front of the body.

Step 10: Hold the ‘centre’ line on the back with the left hand and adjust the distance between the collar and neck by pulling the collar ends with the right hand. Please note that the distance between the collar and the neck should be the size of a clenched fist.

Step 11: Fold the top right overlap to make a triangle shape.

Step 12: Bring the upper left overlap over the upper right overlap. Tie the upper overlaps with a second ‘koshi himo’ sash.

Step 13: Check that the top and bottom parts are aligned.

Step 14: Check the centre line on the back.

Step 15: Hold the obi board (‘obi ita’) with the left hand. Please note that ‘obi ita’ is used to maintain the shape of the obi tie.

Step 16: Wear the ‘obi ita’ on the front of the body.