Kyo Kuromontsukizome (Black, crested kimono) Montsuki (crested kimono) have their origin in the Muromachi period. They changed from a simple design mark to a distinct family crest in the Momoyama period. In the Edo period, it was called among the warriors and black montsuki dyed from vegetable dyes came to be favored. Moreover, when this dye was mixed with tannin acid, it made the silk cloth so strong that even a sword could not penetrate it, thereby it came to be used as a means of self-protection as well. In the Meiji period, black montsuki came to be used for haori and hakama and worn mainly for ceremonial occasions, such as wedding and funerals. Kyoto's black montsuki later incorporated European dye techniques and artificial dyes and techniques such as using crimson or indigo dyes under the black dye, giving its resilient sheen. BACK