Koromogae: Why Japanese People Refresh Their Homes Twice a Year

As temperatures rise and the humid breeze heralds the approach of summer, closets across Japan are thrown open. Heavy sweaters and brushed wool trousers are tucked away, replaced by airy garments of linen and cotton. This ritual, known as koromogae, is a time-honored Japanese tradition marking the turn of the seasons.

Yet clothing is not all that changes. The tableware gracing family meals and the décor adorning living spaces also shift with the seasons. In this article, we explore the history of koromogae and the Japanese philosophy of “welcoming the season” that underlies it. We also introduce a selection of MUSUBI KILN items perfectly suited for the arrival of summer.

Koromogae is the Japanese custom of swapping out one’s wardrobe for seasonally appropriate clothing twice a year, traditionally on June 1 for summer and October 1 for winter. In Japanese, koromo means “garment,” and gae means “to change” or “to replace.”

The practice originated in the Chinese imperial court, where attire was changed according to the seasons, and was introduced to Japan during the Heian period (794–1185 CE). At that time, the aristocracy and members of the imperial court observed the custom on the first day of the fourth and tenth months of the lunar calendar. During the Edo period (1603–1868 CE), the Tokugawa shogunate institutionalized wardrobe changes four times a year for the samurai class, and the custom gradually spread to commoners as well.

Today, the timing of koromogae is left to individual discretion. Meanwhile, “Cool Biz”—a campaign encouraging lighter office attire such as no ties and no jackets during summer to conserve energy—has been promoted by the Ministry of the Environment since 2005 and is now widely adopted. This, too, can be seen as a modern form of koromogae.

Japan is an island nation with four distinct seasons, and the Japanese have been attuned to seasonal transitions in every aspect of daily life. The Japanese language has a long tradition of expressions for “welcoming the season.” One example is the phrase geishun (迎春), meaning “welcoming spring,” which appears on New Year's greeting cards and traces its origins to Chinese classical texts over two thousand years old. This reflects the Japanese sensibility that the seasons are not something that passively arrive, but rather something to be actively welcomed.

Changing one’s wardrobe facilitates temperature regulation, but it is also a form of “mental reset,” a way of consciously acknowledging the turning of the seasons and refreshing one's state of mind. In the case of kimono, Japan’s traditional garment, not only the type of fabric but also the patterns are chosen to match the time of year. Cherry blossoms for spring, fireworks for summer, maple leaves for fall, and camellias for winter are just a few examples.

It is considered iki, a distinctly Japanese aesthetic ideal describing refined elegance in appearance and manner, to wear seasonally themed patterns slightly ahead of the actual season. This practice, too, reveals the inclination to prepare one's heart for the coming season.

The idea of “switching with the seasons” extends well beyond clothing. Japan’s hot and humid climate has long inspired creative ways to evoke coolness through visual appeal and tactile sensation.

Consider the home: the carpet that warmed one’s feet during winter is replaced in summer with a cool rush mat or bamboo rug. Fabric slippers give way to those made of plant-based materials, and the smooth, dry texture underfoot brings a refreshing touch to sweltering days.

Particularly distinctive is the practice of changing tableware with the seasons. The same dish might be served in warm, earthy pottery during winter, then presented on translucent glass or blue-tinged vessels in summer. This simple switch transforms the entire atmosphere of the table. For summer dining, colors such as white, blue, and clear tones are favored for their visual coolness. As with kimono, motifs and patterns are also selected to suit the season.

MUSUBI KILN’s summer collection includes vessels and traditional crafts perfectly suited for your seasonal koromogae. Incorporate cool colors and materials into your daily life, and enjoy the beauty of the season through the eyes.