noun
akome (archaic court under-robe)
Archaic term for a specific layer of Heian-period noble attire, worn between the undergarments and the outer robe. Only encountered in historical or literary descriptions of court dress.
平安時代の貴族は、衵を重ねて着ていた。
Heian-period nobles wore the akome as a layered garment.
この絵巻には、あこめを着た女房が描かれている。
In this picture scroll, a court lady wearing an akome is depicted.
A single-layer unlined robe, typically worn as an outer garment or under the akome in Heian court dress.
A formal outer robe worn by noblewomen, layered over the akome.
The origin is uncertain; the word is attested in Heian-period texts referring to a specific court garment. The kanji 衵 and 袙 are both rare and specifically associated with this historical clothing term.