Japanese culture is replete with symbolic meanings, and wedding kimono are no exception. The colour combination of red and white is considered lucky, and many uchikake include white birds on a red background or have a red lining in a white garment. In Japan many birds have auspicious associations, and it is very common to see wedding kimono decorated with cranes (symbolising long life), phoenix (wisdom and immortality), peacocks (good fortune), or mandarin ducks (marital fidelity and love). Flowers are used to denote seasons as well as having symbolic associations.
Most …

The traditional wedding kimono, known as a uchikake, is a long robe worn unbelted over a regular white or pastel kimono (kakeshita) and sash (obi). The uchikake is longer than an everyday kimono – about six feet long – and has a heavily padded hem so that it trails behind the bride as she walks.
Before the Meiji era and the opening of Japan to Western influences in the mid-19th century, uchikake were worn by female members of samurai families and were not exclusive to weddings. Nowadays, the uchikake is strictly …

Chocolate Diamonds are spectacular, especially when set with regular diamonds. The contrast between the two is beautiful.
When I first heard the term “chocolate diamonds”, I thought it was some type of wedding favour or fancy dessert at a wedding table.

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We have started a section on wedding kimonos. Following are the different aspects of these beautiful traditional gowns.