During the Showa period Japan was under the rule of Emperor Hirohito. The Great Depression and World War II caused the people to wear more modest garments. After the 1,950s there was an economic boom and mainstream clothing was mostly Westernized.
In 1947 the post war pacifist constitution was created, which allowed the youth to participate in the popular trends. They often wore clothing that was inspired by the Swinging Sixties, a youth driven cultural revolution in the U.K. which emphasized modernity and freedom.
Communication Through Kimonos
-Gianna Bonventre
The article, “The History and Significance of Kimonos'' by Nicci describes the different ways and styles of them, and these different styles are used to communicate and can show one’s personality. She talks about how geishas communicate through their fashion, and how kimonos are used in everyday life to communicate.
The author describes how geisha use the designs and colors in the kimonos to communicate. Geisha are a group of female entertainers from Japan trained to perform different styles of traditional performing art, such as dancing, singing, and music. The author writes, “The different colours and embroidery patterns also reflect the seniority of the geisha herself.” In other words, the colors and patterns that are on the geisha’s clothing show the geisha’s seniority. The author goes into detail about this and says, “A junior’s collar will be predominantly red with silver, gold or white embroidery. As they get to their second and third year of training, this will be embroidered with discreet white detail when seen from the front, then completely white when she is a fully trained geisha.” Therefore, geisha use the colors and designs in their fashion in order to communicate their seniority, or skill level with everyone.
Furthermore, the author talks about the different kimonos and what they symbolize. For the most part, they are worn to formal events. “The Japanese kimono is a significant part of wedding and tea ceremony formal wear, and sumo wrestlers are required to dress in the traditional clothing whenever they appear in the public eye.” However, Nicci also describes how to differentiate informal and formal kimono styles. She writes, “Single, repeated patterns on a kimono are considered to be informal, whilst designs that have been created in a free-style sense are considered the formal choice.” Depending on how the kimono is made and the style of it, this is what communicates the formality of the event the individual has.
Edo Period
1,603-1,868
When the military government, Tokugawa Shogunate, came into power there was 250 year period of peace in Japan. During this time there were more elegant kimonos that showed power and status. Many things began to prosper during this period, including the art of fashion. The kimonos had multiple colors and asymmetric designs that were inspired by the mainstream theater costumes. They were also more loose-fitting with wider sleeves and obi belts.
Meiji Period
1,868-1,912
During the Meiji period there was a Meiji Restoration which restored imperial rule under Emperor Meiji. The country started taking influence from the West and became a powerful nation. The government officials had their wives wear Western-style dresses and men started cutting their hair shorter. Accessories like hats. handbags, scarves, and gloves became more commonly worn.
Taisho Period
1,912-1,926
While the empire prospered, modern gadgets and fashion thrived. Radios, magazines, and cinemas inspired people to wear decorated collars and new patterns. The West and East shared their trends through the communication of trade and media. Men started wearing coats, suits, and caps while women started experimenting with new hairstyles while wearing their kimonos. Children were dressed in simple shirts, pants, skirts, and dresses.
Showa Period
1,926-1,989
Heisei Period
1,989-Now
-Ye-Ari Kim
During the Showa period Japan was under the rule of Emperor Hirohito. The Great Depression and World War II caused the people to wear more modest garments. After the 1,950s there was an economic boom and mainstream clothing was mostly Westernized.
In 1947 the post-war pacifist constitution was created, which allowed the youth to participate in the popular trends. They often wore clothing that was inspired by the Swinging Sixties, a youth-driven cultural revolution in the U.K. which emphasized modernity and freedom.
Due to the communication through modern technology, fashion trends are often followed in large amounts or people try to embrace their uniqueness. Japan is traditionally a homogenous society, but now people are freer and use their clothing to contrast from the rest. Many different subcultures have been created because of the mix in old in new, and the West and East. Lolita, decora, goth, kawaii, punk, grunge, and countless other subcultures all make up the Heisei period.
By - Shammi Ritu
Japan Festivals originated centuries ago from Chinese festivals. However, nowadays each festival is different and symbolizes the unique things about the place. Local festivals are held as well as national festivals. The temple or shrine that is involved in these festivals will serve as the main event, which will be surrounded by food stands, entertainment, fireworks, etc. One main thing that all these festivals have in common is that the majority of the people wear Yukata. Yukata are cool and light clothing that is typically worn during the summer. They are made of cotton and usually have wide sleeves. The first time they were seen in history was during the Heian era, and they were usually worn after bathing. After 400 years in the Edo Period, soldiers wore them when bathing became more of a public thing. Traditional yukata are indigo-colored. The younger you are, the brighter the yukatas would be and, as you get older, you may wear more and more traditional ones, but today, it doesn't matter. This is a form of communication expressed through fashion.
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Japanese Yukata's
She is Wearing a modern, flower-patterned Yukata. I picked this specific picture cause it's an empowering photo and she's communicating confidence.
HOW DID THE JAPANESE USED KIMONOS TO CONVEY THEIR MYTHS THROUGH THEIR PATTERNS, STYLES, AND COLORS.
By- Shammi Ritu
-> How did colors use to symbolize status during the ancient time in Japanese fashion?
The lower class would wear simple designs and prints while the nobles and upper class would go for exquisite prints and patterns with silks, gems, etc. The Japanese would put large significance on their clothing because it would tell everything about their class, age, the occasion, etc. Furthermore, that shows how kimonos historically portrayed (communicated) people and their identities in society.
-> How would clothing affect men during this time?
The lower class would wear simple designs and prints while the nobles and upper class would go for exquisite prints and patterns with silks, gems, etc. The Japanese would put large significance on their clothing because it would tell everything about their class, age, the occasion, etc.
Woman's Kimono (Kosode) with Snow-Covered Mandarin Orange Trees and Poem
This is a beautiful kimono and it almost dates back to the Edo period (1615-1868). It is made of beautiful silk and looks like a work of art rather than a kimono. I chose this image because it was from that period and it symbolized a symbol of status.
Centries of Legacy
KIMONO HEAD ACCESSORIES
How they came be and how they empower woman
Shammi Ritu
From a very long time kimonos had accessories and ornaments along with them. They were on the head or hair. They were gold sparkly and they usually had a chrysanthemum crest. One of the more popular hair accessories is kanzashi. It was first discovered in the jōmon period. This was a saying that stick can keep the bad spirits away. In the Nara period, they started to trade and when they began trading they also so hair accessories, and over the centuries, the way they wore it changed but they still held a significant meaning. Now even though hair accessories and pins don't ward off evil spirits it's a sign that women can hold their head up high and say they have respect and power and they aren't less than men.