Translation guide
A formal kimono worn by married women, typically featuring shorter sleeves, subdued colors, and family crests, for ceremonial occasions.
The most common and general term for a married woman's formal kimono.
A formal kimono with shorter sleeves, worn by married women. The most typical type is the black tomesode (黒留袖) with five family crests, worn at weddings and formal ceremonies.
I wore a black tomesode to the wedding.
Specifically the black version of the tomesode, the most formal type.
A black tomesode with five family crests, the most formal kimono for married women. Worn by the mothers of the bride and groom at weddings, and at other highly formal events.
The groom's mother was wearing a black tomesode.
A colored version of the tomesode, slightly less formal than black.
A colored tomesode, often with one, three, or five crests. Worn by married women at formal occasions like weddings and ceremonies, but slightly less formal than black tomesode.
Colored tomesode can also be worn when attending weddings.
A broader category of formal kimono that includes tomesode and other types.
Formal attire, a broader term that includes tomesode and other formal kimono. Can also refer to formal Western clothing.
I will attend the wedding in Japanese formal attire.
A different style of formal kimono with a train, worn by married women.
A formal kimono with long sleeves and a train, historically worn by married women of samurai or noble families. Rarely seen today except in historical contexts or very traditional weddings.
You can sometimes see hikifurisode in period dramas.
Tomesode (both black and colored) are specifically for married women. Unmarried women wear furisode (振袖), a kimono with long swinging sleeves, for formal occasions.
The number of family crests (紋) on a tomesode indicates its formality. Five crests (五つ紋) is the most formal, three (三つ紋) is semi-formal, and one (一つ紋) is the least formal.