小袖

Japanese

Kanji in this term
小	袖
こ Grade: 1	そで Grade: S
kun'yomi

Etymology

Compound of 小 (ko, “small”) +‎ 袖 (sode, “sleeve”). The ko here refers to the opening of the sleeve, which is smaller than that of the more formal kimono.

Noun

小(こ)袖(そで) • (kosode) 

1. A smaller Japanese robe similar to a kimono, worn either under a kimono or on its own.

See also

• 羽織(はおり) (haori): a short coat for formal kimono
• 水干(すいかん) (suikan): a kimono tunic
• 袴(はかま) (hakama): traditional Japanese trousers