On April 13th, a woman wearing Hanfu for a photo shoot at the Longmen Grottoes in Luoyang was mistaken for wearing a kimono by tourists, sparking discussions among netizens.
In the video, upon seeing her attire, a bystander exclaimed, "Wow, a kimono!"
The woman quickly clarified, "This is Hanfu, not a kimono."
The accompanying photographer retorted angrily, "Who said it's a kimono? Go visit museums more often."
The woman in Hanfu expressed her frustration, feeling more resigned than anything else. She noted that this is a common occurrence for Hanfu enthusiasts—to be mistaken for wearing a kimono when wearing Hanfu. The revival of Hanfu still has a long way to go, and enthusiasts must continue their efforts.
This event not only sparked lively discussions among netizens but also prompted us to reexamine the differences between Hanfu and Kimono.
Hanfu and Kimono, though having historical connections, exhibit significant differences in historical origins, design styles, and accessory combinations.
Firstly, in terms of historical origins, Hanfu is the traditional attire of the Han Chinese, boasting a long history and rich cultural connotations. It prevailed from ancient China to the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, characterized by its crossed-collar style and lack of buttoning. On the other hand, Kimono is the traditional attire of Japan, originally known as "Wafuku," stemming from the trade between the Eastern Wu of China during the Three Kingdoms period and Japan, gradually evolving into clothing with distinctive Japanese characteristics.
Secondly, regarding design styles, Hanfu typically features smooth curves with crossed collars and right lapels, while Kimono predominantly employs straight lines, appearing relatively rigid without crossed collars. Additionally, Hanfu's tailoring and color schemes are more diverse, reflecting ancient Chinese aesthetic principles and cultural characteristics.
Lastly, in terms of accessory combinations, Hanfu usually consists of a combination of garments, headwear, hairstyles, facial adornments, footwear, and ornaments, rather than just a single garment. Kimono requires specific accessories like belts (obi) and neckwear (collars) for wearing, with fixed rules for the order and manner of wearing.
In summary, while Hanfu and Kimono have historical connections, they differ significantly in historical origins and other aspects. Hanfu, with its flowing lines and rich accessories, embodies the cultural charm of ancient China, whereas Kimono, with its unique tailoring and wearing style, showcases traditional Japanese aesthetics.
