Kamishimo (formal samurai clothing)
【裃】
【KAMISHIMO】
-
Kamishimo, a type of costume for samurai role, in “Kanadehon Chushingura”. Nakamura Ganjiro 3rd (Sakata Tojuro 4th) as Yuranosuke. November, 2002 at the National Theatre. （Y_E0100231080009）
This is a formal attire worn by the samurai in the Edo period, when they attended the castle or in other occasions. A set of Kataginu, a sleeveless robe worn over Kosode, and Hakama is called Kamishimo. In some cases, they would wear a Hakama with the bottom long enough to be draggled, and this is called Naga-gamishimo together with Kataginu.
In Kabuki, it is widely used as a costume to represent a samurai, and in fact the role of the samurai before the Muromachi period who did not wear Kamishimo, appear on stage with Kamishimo costume. Moreover, the cloth for Kamishimo in the real world was basically plain or had only small patterns called Komon, but more showy colors and patterns are used for the costume to represent the character’s personality, social status, and age.
In Kabuki, it is widely used as a costume to represent a samurai, and in fact the role of the samurai before the Muromachi period who did not wear Kamishimo, appear on stage with Kamishimo costume. Moreover, the cloth for Kamishimo in the real world was basically plain or had only small patterns called Komon, but more showy colors and patterns are used for the costume to represent the character’s personality, social status, and age.
