白無垢(しろむく)

しろむく
noun
white wedding kimono
culture
1. white wedding kimono; pure-white bridal kimono
An all-white kimono ensemble worn by brides in traditional Japanese weddings. Symbolizes purity and the bride's readiness to take on her new family's colors.
花嫁(はなよめ)は白無垢(しろむく)を着(き)ていた。
The bride was wearing a white wedding kimono.
白無垢(しろむく)姿(すがた)の母(はは)の写真(しゃしん)を見(み)つけた。
I found a photo of my mother in her white wedding kimono.
神前式(しんぜんしき)では白無垢(しろむく)を、披露宴(ひろうえん)では色(いろ)打掛(うちかけ)を着(き)るのが伝統的(でんとうてき)だ。
Traditionally, the bride wears a white shiromuku for the Shinto ceremony and a colored uchikake at the reception.

Compound of 白(しろ) (white) + 無垢(むく) (pure/unblemished). The all-white kimono ensemble traditionally worn by Japanese brides, including the outer 打掛(うちかけ), inner kimono, and accessories — all in white. The bride often changes into a colorful 色(いろ)打掛(うちかけ) at the reception, symbolizing being 'dyed' the colors of her new family.

Cultural note

In the 神前式(しんぜんしき) (Shinto wedding ceremony), 白無垢(しろむく) is the most formal choice. The pure white symbolizes the bride's innocence and her readiness to be 'colored' by the new family she is joining.

Related words

  • 打掛(うちかけ): outer bridal robe
  • 色(いろ)打掛(うちかけ): colored bridal robe (worn at the reception)
  • 綿帽子(わたぼうし): white hood worn over the bride's hair
  • 角隠(つのかく)し: a band of white silk worn over the bride's headdress

Related Words

Related: ウェディングドレス (wedding dress)
general
Added 2026.5.12 13:10 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
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