History: Edo Period (1601-1867 A.D.)

During this period, commerce and industry developed rapidly. Merchants began to have more power than the Samurai.

Better dyeing techniques were developed. The "Yuzen" dyeing technique (a dye-resist dyeing process) was developed and became popular because any color could be used and could dye many different complex patterns such as flowers and birds.

Kimono were now made of multicolored, highly decorated fabric, and were worn in a single layer.

The belt, or obi, which until this time period was tied in the front, was now tied in the back. See A Woman's Kimono - Obi for some modern obi examples.