Uchikake |
Uchikake Kimono are called the most magnificent and expensive robe among many kinds of kimono. Uchikake were unattainable object for ordinary people in other times and are still so.
Only High ranking women were permitted to wear Uchikake |
In the shogunate administration of the Tokugawa family(1600- 1867AD), high-profile women such as the Shogun’s wives and princesses, high ranking samurais’ wives, court ladies, and upper ranking maids of Ooku were solely permitted to wear the gorgeous Uchikake Kimono (ceremonial robes) as a symbol of their status. The Uchikake Kimono gradually became even more sumptuous and elegant as the power of these women increased, which led to a splendid fashion culture unlike the world had ever seen.
Wedding ceremony |
The woman in middle is the top of woman in a castle. The right and left maid women in red kimono (female servant) don't wear "uchikake" (just wearing kimono) because they were not permitted to wear it which shows symbol of authority and privilege.
(this is around 1600-1800 AD)