The kosode is a small-sleeved garment that developed from the Muromachi through the Edo period and is the ancestor of the modern kimono. It comes up in discussing the history of dress at tea gatherings, and its designs were applied to the textiles used for utensils.
History
It originally referred to a tube-sleeved undergarment worn beneath wide-sleeved robes, was promoted to an outer garment in the Muromachi period, and developed elaborate decoration through tsujigahana and yuzen dyeing in the Momoyama and Edo periods. Reflecting the aesthetics of both warrior and townsman society, it became the basis of later Japanese dress including furisode, uchikake, and the various obi knots.
Why it appears in a tea glossary
Kosode is rarely worn as such at a modern gathering, but its patterns are the source referenced in the designs of celebrated textiles and of the silk pouches that wrap thick-tea containers. A guest examining a pouch is often looking at a kosode pattern.
Sources
- 小袖（デジタル大辞泉） / コトバンク
Supports: 平安末期には貴族が装束の下に着る白絹の下着で、鎌倉期に上着の性格を帯び、室町以降に女性が着流しとなり、江戸期には階層・男女を問わず広く用いられたこと
About this article
Edited by the operator of Chaen (a one-person operation) / Last updated:
Tea ceremony descriptions can vary by school and source. Where interpretations differ, this glossary avoids definitive claims and focuses on broadly shared understandings. If you notice an error, please let us know viaContact. To learn about our organization, seeAbout Chaen.
Term info
- Category
- Term
Related terms
- Chado (The Way of Tea)chado
The Japanese practice of preparing and serving powdered green tea, treated as a lifelong discipline rather than a beverage ritual.
- Wabiwabi
Finding sufficiency of mind within insufficiency and plainness; one of the root concepts of tea practice.
- Ichigo ichie (one time, one meeting)ichigo ichie
The principle that every gathering is unrepeatable, and should therefore be treated as if it will never occur again.
- Zarei (seated bow)zarei
The bow made from a kneeling position; the basis of both guest and host etiquette.
- Hakamahakama
Formal divided garment worn by men at more formal gatherings; a visible index of how formal an occasion is.
- Chaki (tea containers, collectively)chaki
The general term for vessels holding matcha, divided into thin-tea containers and thick-tea jars.
- Okashi (sweets)okashi
The sweets served with tea, divided into moist omogashi and dry higashi, and eaten before the tea arrives.