unpadded kimono; kimono without cotton padding
Refers to a kimono worn in warmer months after the cotton padding (綿) has been removed. A seasonal garment associated with the traditional change of clothing on the first day of the fourth month of the lunar calendar.
There was a custom of wearing an unpadded kimono on the first day of the fourth month of the lunar calendar.
first day of the fourth month (lunar calendar)
Only when written 綿抜き
Specifically the 1st day of the 4th month in the traditional lunisolar calendar, marking the seasonal change when people switched from padded to unpadded clothing. Also written as 四月朔日. Restricted to the kanji form 綿抜き.
See also: 綿抜の朔日
Watanuki (the first day of the fourth month) is also called Watanuki no Tsuitachi.
Alternate kanji spelling for the date sense, using 四月 (fourth month) and 朔日 (first day).
Standard spelling for both senses; the kanji 抜き (remove) reflects the seasonal change of removing cotton padding from clothing.
Alternate kanji form; 貫 (pierce/penetrate) is less transparent for the meaning. Rarely used.
From 綿 (cotton padding) + 抜き (removing), referring to the removal of cotton padding from kimono for warmer weather. The date sense derives from the custom of changing to unpadded clothing on that day.