Hanten

January 7, 1990

We go shopping in Oita-shi. At Tokiwa, I buy a hanten for each of us. A hanten is a short, padded coat, worn indoors to keep back and shoulders warm while sitting at the kotatsu.

There are all sorts of modern designs, but I buy all cotton ones with old-fashioned traditional designs of fans. Mine is indigo blue and JQS's is red. They cost 3800 yen apiece.

None of my Japanese students or coworkers would be caught dead wearing hanten in public. It is the epitome of rural farm fashion. Think red longjohns and overalls as the equivalent American outfit. I'm content to be at the age where fashion takes second place to comfort.

Posted by M Sinclair Stevens
January 07, 2002

Comments

Browsing using Google, looked up "hanten" and found this. I've been collecting kimono, haori, etc. for about 6 years. Recently have gotten more interested in folk/country textiles. I was lucky enough to attend an estate sale recently, the lady had been collecting kimono etc. for 40 years. Among the various things I purchased were two hanten, wonderful heavy indigo cotton. Have since been told one of them is for a nursery or bonsai shop. Both are merchant jackets, with kanji and a large design on the back. Like you, comfort comes first!

Amy

Comment by: Amy Bradley "dragontamer". Posted September 9, 2002 05:02 PM.

Hi, We hosted a Japanese student last summer named Mio. Mio sent my husband and I two padded hantens. I would like to purchase one for my brother and another for a friend. Who manufactures padded hantens?

Comment by: Kathleen Schroeder. Posted January 17, 2003 12:50 AM.

You could try japan-shop.com.

e-miyata.com has some padded winter hanten. But they are expensive (about $150). The site is in Japanese. I don't know if they do international shipping.

Comment by: M. Posted January 17, 2003 09:57 AM.

Thank you for your suggestion. I am hopeful my exchange student didn't spend $150. I am wearing my red plaid hanten right now and love it. Thanks again, Kathleen

Comment by: Kathleen Schroeder. Posted January 24, 2003 10:18 PM.

I make hantens and haoris for women, modified, of course. It is one of my favorite jackets next to the haori. I started out making bog coats and then discovered the Japanese kimono/hanten/haori. I've been hooked since. A few times, I've been asked to sell what I was wearing. And of course I did to the person/s who asked and who could pay my price. For those who sew, the best fabrics to use are silks and soft wools, although soft cottons will also do.

Comment by: teresa Fadeley. Posted August 20, 2005 08:27 PM.

hello, i've been searching for some heavy cotton hanten jackets to buy online...seeing as i wont be going to Japan soon. So i was wondering if anyone knew a really good place to get one?

Comment by: Jessica. Posted September 19, 2006 11:01 AM.

hello, i've been searching for some heavy cotton hanten jackets to buy online...seeing as i wont be going to Japan soon. also, i've seen them on animes and jdramas, they look really comfortable to lounge around in while you're indoors. So i was wondering if anyone knew a really good place to get one?

Comment by: Jessica. Posted September 19, 2006 11:02 AM.

I have a hanten at home that my grandfather gave me but its getting worn out and i just thought i should get another one does anyone know where to get one cheap?

Comment by: Viktoreea. Posted December 13, 2006 12:58 PM.

I have one that is from www.hanten-usa.com. It was given to me as a gift. I love it! Unfortunately the website doesn't have pictures but perhaps you could email them and ask?

Comment by: Barbara. Posted December 15, 2006 09:32 PM.

I am looking for a warm hanten. I bought one in Japan, brought it back to the states and with all the moves I made it got lost in the shuffle. Does anyone know where I can order one on-line?

Comment by: Jeff. Posted February 5, 2007 10:17 AM.

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