What's EDO-komon (江戸小紋)?
江戸小紋のルーツは 武士の裃（かみしも）
The origin of EDO-komon is samurai's old ceremonial dress, called Ka-mi-shi-mo in Japanese in EDO era.
江戸小紋の柄って？What is the pattern of EDO-komon?
遠目には無地に見えますが、近づいてみるととても手のこんだ細かな柄がうめつくされているのに驚きます。
パッと見た目の雅さや豪華さはありません。でも江戸時代には武家社会で町人社会で、競いあうように江戸小紋を着ました。江戸小紋は日本人ならではの〝粋さ〟が見事に演出された着物です。
江戸小紋の細かな柄は、それぞれ様々な意味がうめこまれています。 江戸小紋は武士の裃（かみしも）から発達したもので、柄の基本は裃の模様からきています。他の藩との区別を象徴するため、紀州徳川家の「極鮫（ごくさめ）」、加賀前田家の「菊菱」など、各藩で「定め小紋」を決めてそれぞれの柄を占有していました。
It looks like just plain from far away but you might be surprised at being filled with so many fine patterns when viewed at close range. At first glance, it does not feel the luxury and opulence of the appearance. But in the Edo era, Edo-komon used to be worn by the samurai and townspeople as each other compete. Edo-komon is the kimono which brilliantly choreographed chic of Japanese unique.
The fine patterns of Edo-komon include various meanings in each. Edo-komon is as it developed from the samurai's ceremonial dress called ka-mi-shi-mo, the basic pattern has come from the pattern of kamishimo. In order to symbolize the distinction between the other clan, for instance "Gokusame (the pattern of an extremely small shark)" of Kishu Tokugawa family, and "Kikubishi" of Kaga Maeda family, they had decided own pattern called "Sadame komon" in each feudal clan and occupied it.
江戸中期になると庶民の間にも小紋染めの着物が流行りだします。定め小紋にはない動植物や日用品を図案化した小紋が発達しました。
ユーモア感覚を表した柄が無数に生み出され、色合いのみならず細かな柄がそれぞれ持つ意味合いにも注目すると、江戸小紋の魅力は計り知れないものですね。
In the middle Edo period, dyeing a fine pattern kimono began to be popular among the common people. Not to be seen in "Sadame komon", the fine pattern that made a design of animals & plants and daily necessities developed. Pattern that represents a sense of humor was produced countlessly, and pays attention to not only the color but also the implication that a fine pattern has each; the charm of Edo-komon is an immeasurable.
