It was during the era between 300 years before Year One, till 300 years later that the Japanese were bound to :

• Grass fibers
• A luxurious type of extremely expensive cloth sold by the Chinese

This luxurious fiber was silk, which was only available to those, who were a part of the Imperial Palace in Nara. And the joke goes that silkworms were available to the rest. Coming down to a later stage in the history of Japanese fashion, the men wore a garment called ‘kinu’ during the 4th and 5th centuries. This was a long sleeved double extra large blouse. This was an important era, as it was also the time when they invented the Japanese Culotte, also known as ‘hakama’.

The first ever fashion dictator of Japan was Prince Shotoku, who came into the picture around the year 574, and existed till 622. He merged the clothes of the Sui dynasty, with the Hans dynasty and created unique designs. His designs were made into the national dress of that era. This garment was the extra-long and extra-large robes. These, in the present day and age, are worn by the ‘Noh’ and ‘Kabuki’ stage actors.

Coming down later to the Heian era, the royal women wore robes that were of 5, 6 or then 12 layers. However, the common person wore simple robes that would flow – extra-large and extra-long. Moving one era down to 1463 to 1600, wherein the robes were even more simplified, continuing the trend through the era dated 1603 to 1867.

The era dated 1868 to 1912, heralded the European influence into the imperial Japanese clothing, especially where the royal men were concerned. Even women wore robes that had the influence of the west. Thereafter came in the modern era with the famous Japanese street wear.