short coat for noblewomen (Nara and Heian period)
Historical term for a specific garment worn by court ladies in ancient Japan. Not used in modern everyday language.
The karaginu is worn as the outermost layer of the twelve-layered court robe.
From 唐 (kara, 'Tang China') + 衣 (kinu, 'clothing'), referring to a garment influenced by Chinese court fashion.