COLUMN:What does waving sleeves mean? If you know it ,it will be more interesting to watch Japanese traditional dances.

振袖【Furi-sode】, literally means wave a sleeve.it

Once upon a time, Japanese women shook their sleeves and told their love to their favorite man.

If she swings the sleeve from left to right, it means “like”.

If it swings back and forth it means “dislike”.

Therefore, after marriage they cut their sleeves into 留袖【Tome-Sode】, short sleeve’s kimono.

When you have a  chance watching Japanese dance,please watch out movings of sleeves, too(^^)