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.
花嫁は白無垢を着ていた。
The bride was wearing a white wedding kimono.
白無垢姿の母の写真を見つけた。
I found a photo of my mother in her white wedding kimono.
神前式では白無垢を、披露宴では色打掛を着るのが伝統的だ。
Traditionally, the bride wears a white shiromuku for the Shinto ceremony and a colored uchikake at the reception.
Compound of 白 (white) + 無垢 (pure/unblemished). The all-white kimono ensemble traditionally worn by Japanese brides, including the outer 打掛, inner kimono, and accessories — all in white. The bride often changes into a colorful 色打掛 at the reception, symbolizing being 'dyed' the colors of her new family.
CULTURAL CONTEXT:
In the 神前式 (Shinto wedding ceremony), 白無垢 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 TERMS:
- 打掛: outer bridal robe
- 色打掛: colored bridal robe (worn at the reception)
- 綿帽子: white hood worn over the bride's hair
- 角隠し: a band of white silk worn over the bride's headdress