Online dictionary of history and traditions in Japan: Hakama

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French version

Hakama

袴
alternative words: Kimono trousers, Japanese trousers
keywords: craft
related topics: Kimono , Kofun period , Haniwa , Heian period , Meiji period , Samurai
related web sites: http://azusa.miko.org/~tatyana/event/hakama/hakama.html , http://www.j-avenue.com/sukeroku/hakama.htm
explanation: As attested by Haniwa doll of Kofun period, origin of hakama (Japanese trousers) was very old. Under an influence of the Chinese civilization, the usage of hakama had declined during Heian period and replaced by kimono with a long skirt, especially among women. When samurai clans took the power in the middle ages, the usage of hakama became again popular among men. Hakama for women resurfaced during Meiji period as a girl's school uniform.