The Japanese school uniform is modeled in appearance similar to that of the European-style naval uniforms. It was first used in Japan in the late 19th century, replacing the traditional kimono. Today, school uniforms are common in many of the Japanese public and private school systems. The Japanese word for this type of uniform is seifuku (制服).
A typical sailor fuku with long sleeves for autumn and winter
Bankara students in 1949, wearing hakama and uniform caps
Shimoda Utako in hakama; she was an advocate for dress reform.
A 1917 gakuran with cap
The kimono is a traditional Japanese garment and the national dress of Japan. The kimono is a wrapped-front garment with square sleeves and a rectangular body, and is worn left side wrapped over right, unless the wearer is deceased. The kimono is traditionally worn with a broad sash, called an obi, and is commonly worn with accessories such as zōri sandals and tabi socks.
A Zen temple-goer wearing a formal cherry-blossom-motif kimono
A rakugoka (storyteller) wearing kimono and 5-mon haori
A man and a woman wearing formal kimono, for a 1923 wedding (other views)
Woman in kimono at Fukuoka City Hall