留袖(とめそで)

From 留(と)める (to fix, to keep) + 袖(そで) (sleeve). Historically, the sleeves of a young woman's furisode were shortened ('fixed' shorter) upon marriage to produce the tomesode style.

Types

• 黒留袖(くろとめそで): black tomesode — worn by mothers of the bride/groom; the most formal
• 色留袖(いろとめそで): colored tomesode — worn by married women or unmarried relatives at formal events

Common collocations

• 留袖(とめそで)を着(き)る: to wear a tomesode
• 留袖(とめそで)姿(すがた): figure in a tomesode
• 留袖(とめそで)を借(か)りる: to rent a tomesode

Cultural note

Most commonly seen at weddings, worn by the bride's and groom's mothers. The patterns are concentrated at the hem so that they appear elegant when seated, with the upper body remaining a dignified solid color.

Similar words

• 振袖(ふりそで): furisode — long-sleeved kimono for unmarried women
• 訪問着(ほうもんぎ): hōmongi — semi-formal kimono with patterns flowing across the whole garment