THIS is your Kimono Size! // The Ultimate Kimono Size Guide

Find put if a kimono fits you by measuring and calculating your correct kimono size. This video will also show you how to get your correct kimono undergarment (nagajuban) size and hoe to find out the size for a fitting kimono coat (haori).

Use the chapters to jump through the video.
00:00 Intro
01:05 Free size kimono do not exist
01:43 Why do you need your kimono size?
03:11 What measurements do you need?
03:57 What measurements will not be in this video?
04:57 Length of a women's kimono
07:33 Length of a men's kimono
09:03 Sleeve length for women's and men's kimono
11:54 Kimono width for men's and women's kimono
15:34 The special measurement (erishita)
16:51 Wrap up of kimono size
17:43 Size for women's undergarment (nagajuban)
20:36 Size of men's undergarment (nagajuban)
21:58 Wrap up of undergarment size
23:30 How to measure a kimono correclty
24:55 Size of men's kimono coat (haori)
26:17 Size of women's kimono coat (haori)
28:44 Why aren't obi sizes in this video?

Woodblock prints used in this video (in order of appearance):

(1) Suzuki Harunobu. Ise, from an Untitled Series of Thirty-six Immortal Poets, 1767/68. The Art Institute of Chicago.

(2) Utagawa Toyokuni and Utagawa Kunihisa. Asukayama, from the series ”Famous Sights of Edo, a Hundred Beauties”, 1857. National Diet Library Digital Collections.

(3) Kikukawa Eizan. Bijin rokkasen, Edo period. Tokyo National Museum.

(4) Utagawa Toyokuni and Utagawa Kunihisa. Hori no Uchi Soshidou, from the series ”Famous Sights of Edo, a Hundred Beauties”, 1857. National Diet Library Digital Collections.

Thank you so much for watching!!

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Music:
"Mizuki" by Bad Snacks
"Kimono Life" by Sondey

Intro Soundeffect:

[jodyrodgers]

Thank you, Billy san. Please do make a video about how to “cheat” an obi for plus size (or, as I have encountered online, “chubby san”). Does the back width of the haori adequately accommodate the bulk of the obi knot? I was certain you were going to say it was +4 cm! What a surprise!
Again, thank you.

[zoukatron]

Wear-length actually doesn't sound that bad as a direct translation into English for kitake.

[Contessamy]

Omg this is what I needed now!!!! I'm just making a kimono, and I've been trying to understand my size (obviously not yuki and length, but rather around hip/chest etc). Thank you for making this video! I am grateful.

[TsukiNohime]

This is perfect! Being in Canada means I have access to kimono only online (or exceedingly rarely at second-hand stores) so being able to know the measurements means I can order kimono and yukata that fit me way better! Also: making my own kimono will be so much easier!

[mayoooketchup]

This video is not only a gem but of public interest. For no-so-jozu japanese speaker I can't thank you enough for this guide so precise!

[chichinn]

this is a godsend❣️ as a tall lanky lass sizing is the bane of my existence thank you sooo much☺️

[marialuizamatai]

Yay!... Finally someone is talking clearly about measurements...
Hello from Brazil... it's nice to see you again.

[maiajohnson]

I have been looking into how to get accurate kimono measurements for my cosplay projects. This is really going to help! And I'm learning more about kimonos at the same time! Thank you so much for making this video! 😆😆😆😆

[TalassiaKardashian]

Most needed video ever...
I just calculate the size range from 10 cms below my height and 10 more up of my height, and basically all my kimonos fit me for that 🥰
Loving your channel work!

[mayalynn]

Thank you so much for talking about plus size measurements in kimono. I've been sewing kimono and related garments for cosplay for years, but my measurements never quite fit into other directions I've found online.

[Spydernights]

I've watched this video twice and taken a bunch of notes before making my own kimono (using your other video). I'm also super jealous of your kimono. It would totally not work for me for many reasons, not the least of which is that I'm studying chado and it's too flashy, but I just love it.

[jonlilley]

My Kimono wearing days are past, but this information is very interesting to get. I was very lucky to find a kimono, haori, and hakama in my 'western' size (second hand) in Osaka when I lived there. New years was a blast with all my friends & family! The first year, it was a friend and me in full regalia. The following years, EVERYONE was in kimono and we had a blast! And I refuse to wear a fundoshi again! I had to hold my breath the whole time! : )

[proximacentauri]

Just in time! Seen this video 5 times already 😜 Thanks Billy 🙏🏻💙 I was on the edge of love and hate about kimono after receiving another vintage kimono which is too narrow for me :( That’s decided that even I admire and love vintage kimono my Slavic shapes require the tailored kimono 💪
My dream is to have tailored kimono from Cocoroya… fabrics’ design and colours are really in my style. Actually I search the internet to find a way to make this dream come true 🇯🇵👘🤍♥️

[sharonlevine]

This was the most helpful yet. Although I am cis-gender female, my large shoulders and narrow hips just don't fit female standards, so self-made kimonos and similar garments are becoming more and more the solution. especially as I can wear no synthetic.
I also make Japanese peasant clothing - best work garments. Maybe you could discuss them?
Many many thanks for all your work.

[DisasterAuntie]

I've always liked your videos, but now I like you as a person and not just as a kimono teacher. On behalf of me and my fellow round people, thank you for being angry at the concept of "free sizing" or "one size fits all!"

I've been following a kitsuke group on social media, and someone found a kimono that was perfectly her size except for the length: she can't make an ohashori because without folding, it hits right where it is supposed to hit. One of the other posters there mentioned the history of the ohashori, that it wasn't traditional until people started belting the length to keep their hands free. I wonder if the Kimono Aunties would recognize that? I am only 5'4" which is short for North America but longer for Japan, and I am wondering if I wore a kimono that was "too short" in that way, would I be able to say "In these modern times, an ohashori is expected, but I'm a traditionalist" and they would approve, or if I would just sound like someone who didn't care about the rules. Do you have an opinion?

[loredanascolari]

Thank you very much! You make very simple to understand this topic. And 👍👍👍👍 for the idea that kimono aren't free size at all: at the beginning of my journey with kimono I was deceived by "free size" kimono or yukata in on line stores.

[starrhaltli]

I'm so glad you have made this video! I watch them a lot, especially when I am putting on my kimono, that is too small by the way. It did make me chuckle as well when you said ankle instead of wrist when you were talking about measuring the yuki. 😉 Don't worry, my husband has a hard time with English so it was very endearing to me.

[ivernori]

Yaaay, thank you so much! I chose some fabrics for nagajuban and haori but was worried about the measurements. ❤️❤️

[aliceliotto]

What I loved most in this video is "kimono in your size is addicting..." Yes, it is. After having sewn some I've found my best size, and when I look to buy I'm really selective on measures. I don't care too much about yuki because short sleeves can be comfortable, as you say. What I care a lot about, besides the length, is the width of the front panel.

[cicigabel]

Dear Billy, Thank you so much for this video! I am just struggling with the Nagajuban fitting and this video is absolute the Holly Guidance! I would be very interested in "Dressing Tricks" & "Obi Size" videos. Looking forward! Liebe Grüße aus Nürnberg🤗❤️.