Nagasamue (Long Samue)

A versatile option for priests, the nagasamue 長作務衣 (“long work clothing”) features a samue-style top with narrow sleeves gathered at the wrist, which is attached to a simplified koromo-length skirt. Nagasamue are closely related in construction to kairyoe, and seem to have developed out of the same historical circumstances. Nagasamue have been less available outside of Japan, and remain relatively uncommon in the United States. Both styles below are based on Japanese models.

As a contemporary priest garment, the nagasamue offers several attractive features, as it combines the practicality of shirt sleeves with the distinction of robes. The gently flared skirt and gathered sleeves read as priestly, while retaining the informality and versatility of samue. In contrast to other priest robes (koromo or kairyoe), which are worn over kimono, nagasamue are intended to be worn with pants.