When you ask people about Japanese clothing, many immediately think and talk about the kimono, but there is another, equally fascinating garment traditionally worn in Japan, namely the haori.

New TRC exhibition: Haori inside outThis is a type of jacket which was originally an exclusive samurai garment worn by men, from the 16th century onwards. Over time, the haori developed into an item of dress that has many variations, and is worn by men and women, of all ages and on any occasion.

The latest TRC exhibition looks at the different types of haori, for men, women and children, but also at other types of Japanese jackets, such as workwear and a firefighter’s jacket.

The exhibition particularly highlights how haori, just like the more famous kimono, is a perfect visual medium to showcase to the public a range of beautiful images, decorative forms and techniques, such as ikat, shibori (resist-dyeing), damask weaves, metal thread embroidery, as well as stencil printing.

The exhibition looks at the outside of the jackets, but also the inside of some of them, for the images and patterns they feature are deliberately hidden from the world, a secret that is only known to the wearer.

The exhibition is based on a crowd-funding acquisition in 2024 of a large collection of traditional Japanese clothing, and was supported by Leiden Council.