Kimono Japenese - Case Study Example

The Kimono Dress Name Institution Module Instructor Date Introduction Culture is a common style, practice or belief among a group of people or a community. Take for example, among Africans; they have certain practices and beliefs that distinguish them from the Western people. Culture depicts civilization. During the colonial era, the Western people especially the Europeans moved to other nations in Africa, Asia and South America among other continents to spread their culture. They came to refer to this as “spread of civilization”. African culture is different from the Western culture. So are the Asian culture and other cultures. The focus in this paper will be the Asian culture. Therefore, this paper will critically analyze a popular Asian cultural product from Japan known as Kimono. Furthermore, the Japanese cultural product will be analyzed basing facts upon its characteristics and cultural specificity. Consequently, the global significance of the product will also be analyzed. It is worth to note that, a culture from a particular continent not only benefits that continent but also the whole world in extension. The other factors about the Kimono dress that will be analyzed in this paper are how and why the product has changed when transplanted into other cultures. The change that will be focused on will either be physical change or material change. The changes in the significance of the product once it is transplanted to other cultures will also be analyzed. Characteristics of the Kimono Dress The Japanese culture is one of the oldest cultures in the world dating back to the 10,000BC (Peter, 1990). The culture has had many interesting events and practices. The Japanese have developed gradually from the times of the shogun and the samurai. They also experienced the 1945 atomic bomb blow which greatly affected their development. They have continued to struggle to maintain their economy through international aids from international organizations and the United States of America. Amidst the struggles to maintain their economy, the Japanese have kept in pace with their cultural beliefs and practices.  Japan has had unique characteristics such as the Kimono dress. It has widely been spoken of and has been borrowed by other cultures especially the Chinese and parts of the Western world. Dalby (2001) gives an explanation that Kimono is a type of dress commonly worn in Japan. It is one of the popular traditional wears in Japan. The difference between it and other clothes is that it is distinctively a full-length robe that reaches the feet. The traditional wear has several observable characteristics that distinguish it from other cultural wear. To begin with, the Kimono is made in such a manner that it is T-shaped. The T-shape enables it to be easily worn. Besides, the human body is often T-shaped when the arms are spread apart. That is to say, the wear was made in a manner that easily fitted the human body. The other characteristic of the Kimono dress is that, different from other clothes, it is wrapped around the body. This is an easier way of having the cloth on the body of an individual. The Kimono is wrapped in a special manner such that the left side is over the right side. In Asia, wrapping clothes over the body is a common practice, what can be referred to as the Asian culture. Asia has many wrestlers and this is a common practice among them. They have various reasons for wrapping the Kimono dress around their body; either to save time during dressing up or uphold their moral uprightness. The Western culture rarely exhibits a practice where individuals cover the whole body. This is one of the differences between the two cultures. The other characteristic of the Kimono Japanese dress is that it is worn with traditional footwear and split-toe socks. Diamond (1998) argues that, in Japan, the traditional footwear worn with the Kimono dress is commonly known as geta while the split-toe socks are known as tabi. Wearing the Kimono dress with the traditional footwear is common such that it is impossible to find a person wearing the dress with any modern footwear such as shoes. The most encouraging thing among the Japanese is that they love and envy their culture so much that they will go miles ahead to promote it. Will all these put on; definitely a warm feeling will be felt. It is the reason why this dress is mostly worn by the Japanese during the cold seasons. Some aspects of the how the Kimono dress is manufactured has remained constant for a long period of time. Another observable characteristic of the garment is that it is distinctively rectangular in shape. This has made it to be easily identifiable whether as a painted nylon bathrobe or a formal Japanese dress. Clothes are rarely rectangular in shape. Therefore, the rectangular shape in which the dress is made makes it one of the most unique cultures in the world. The rectangular shape enhances how it is put on as it is simply rolled from the left to the right in order to cover the body. Technically, the other observable characteristic is that all kimono sleeves reach the wrist. Initially, it was said that the Kimono dress is T shaped. Once the arms of the person wearing the dress are outstretched, they will fit well into the T shape of the dress. Additionally, the length of the Kimono dress is often determined by how far the sleeve falls from the outstretched arm. There are Kimono dresses with short sleeves and others with long sleeves. The Kimono dresses with short sleeves are known as ‘kosode’ while those with long sleeves are known as ‘furisode’. The size of the sleeve opening and whether or not it has side slits can also affect the kimono terminology. The other characteristic of the Kimono Japanese dress is that it is mostly worn by women (Ashikari, 2003). This is one of the evident cultures of the Japanese people. It is very rare to find men wear this type of dress except for the professional wrestlers who take part in wrestling competitions. The other observable characteristic of the traditional Japanese Kimono dress is that it made of silk and satin weaves. This distinguishes it from the other cultures especially the African culture where most of its cultural dresses are made of animal skins and hides. Apart from the traditional Japanese Kimono dress, there is the modern type which is made of fabrics such as cotton, rayon, polyester and other synthetic fibers. Cultural Specificity of the Japanese Kimono Dress The world has different cultures. However, specific countries have their own culture that they do not share with any other country. For example, the Kimono dress of Japan is their specific culture. Therefore, what is cultural specificity? It is what separates one person from another. It is worth noting that the fundamental needs of human beings are similar. Human beings need food, water and shelter as the primary basic needs. Basically, human beings are pretty much similar. At the same time, people are very different. According to the various cultural practices and beliefs exhibited in various countries, human beings different. Thus, the Japanese Kimono dress is a specific dress only for the Japanese and not any other person. To begin with, Kuitert (1988) demonstrates that one of the cultural specificities of the Japanese Kimono dress is that it is worn depending on the occasion that one has in mind. In Japan, kimonos that are worn everyday appear to be a bit simpler than those that people wear in special or rather formal occasions. This practice is only evident and common in Japan making the Kimono dress a cultural specificity in Japan. The other cultural specificity of the Japanese Kimono dress is that distinctions are often made between what men, women and children wear. In Japan, it is a common cultural practice among the Japanese that the Kimono wear is worn considering the season. It is mostly worn during the cold season as it is wrapped around the body thus keeping people warm. This is a unique culture in Japan. Previously, it was said that the Kimono type of dress is made of silk while others are made of cotton, linen or even wool. Therefore, when a comparison is done between the western kinds of dress and the Kimono dress, it will be realized that the Kimono limits the movements of people. Besides, the Kimono is time consuming and really difficult to wear. This is the reason why the wearing of the Kimono is a special practice on very special events and occasions like traditional Japanese events, weddings and gatherings among others. The other specificity of the Kimono dress is that it is only women who mostly wear the dress (Ashikari, 2003). This is unlike other cultures like the Western culture where some clothes are shared by the men and women. For example, the Western culture allows for the trousers to be worn by both men and women. The uniqueness in the Kimono dress makes it to be worn mostly by the Japanese women. The other cultural specificity of the Kimono dress is that it can be worn by wearers of all types despite the height and size. This is because both the lengths and widths of the cloth are normally adjustable. The Japanese women often wear the Kimono in a specific way or manner. They begin by putting on a pair of tabi which are pairs of socks that are split between the big toe and the other small toes. Afterwards, the women put on a hada-juban and a naga-juban. The two are held around the waist with a string. This way of wearing the kimono is very unique. It is only applicable or rather known to the Japanese, making the culture of the kimono dress very specific. The other cultural specificity of the Kimono dress is that it is not worn with shoes. This is unlike the other cultures such as the western culture where clothes are worn with shoes. Instead, the Japanese wear Kimono with two kinds of footwear known as zori. Global significance of the Kimono dress The Kimono dress has been very significant globally in several ways. The type of dress originated from Japan (Martin, 1995). However, so many people have adopted the Japanese culture of wearing the Kimono dress. To start with, the Kimono dress is worn by international artists during events and performances on stage. One celebrity who has ever worn the dress while on stage is Jennifer Lopez. This is because this type of dress is easy to wear and is very attractive. The other global significance is that the cloth has been worn by several people, not only in Japan but in other parts of the world to prevent cold. The cold winter seasons are often very unfriendly to the people from the Western part of the world. That is to say, they have to purchase clothes in readiness for such seasons. Some of the clothes bought include the heavy Japanese Kimono dresses to help prevent them from cold. This type of well does it perfectly well as it is rolled over the body from left to right, covering the whole body from the shoulders to the feet. The Kimono dress is a traditional type of cloth in Japan. This cloth enhances the cultural practice and beliefs of the Japanese people. It is one of the dresses of the Japanese people that has existed for a long time and still continues to exist. The dress has sunk deep into the culture of the Japanese till it has become one of the factors that attract tourists to Japan. Its funny shape and length makes it one of the funniest cloths on the globe. However, it has been very outstanding in special events such as weddings and formal gatherings among other events. The other global significance of the Kimono dress is that it has enhanced the flow of exchange in the business world. This type of dress originates from Japan. It is then exported to other countries especially the Western World countries. This helps the Japanese to earn a little foreign exchange for their development. On the other hand, once the dress is bought, it is modified in the Western countries and later sold at higher prices. In short, it is worth noting that the Kimono dress has sparkled trade in the world, both the ancient and the modern world. The kimono dress is also significant because it is worn by professional wrestlers in the world of wrestling. It has been seen that some wrestlers do not like exposing their bodies yet they still want to participate in fighting competitions. This is the right type of cloth for such people as it is light and can easily be worn and still be taken off the body. Many wrestlers including a few in the World Wrestling Entertainment have worn the Kimono dress during competitive matches. This clearly demonstrates how the Kimono dress is of great importance to a wide range of people. The Japanese kimono dress has really led to the expansion and development of the global advertisement sector. This is one of the global significance of the dress. Since the proprietorship of the dress, many advertisements have been done on the mass media and the social media. For example, pictures of this type of dress have been dominant on the internet. As much as this is a form of advertisement, it has really made people aware of this kind of dress, its cons and pros. It has been exposed that there are several pros of the dress such as the quality material that it is made of, how it is easily worn and how warm it keeps people. The other global significance of the wear is that it has become part and parcel of people’s wear. For several decades, the clothes from the Western part of the world were meant for street wear whereas the Japanese dress was meant for home. In the recent past, women used to work while dressed in the kimono dress. The women used to cover it with an apron or duster while at work. There are modern kimonos which are still worn to date in special events and occasions. Goldstein (cited in Kimono and the construction of gendered and cultural identities, 1999) suggests that the furisode kimono is a modern type kimono that is worn by worn by single women. It is mostly preferred for social functions like weddings and tea ceremonies. The other type of kimono dress that has become part of the modern fashion is the uchikake kimono which is nowadays worn on a woman’s wedding day. This type of kimono is all white and very long. Once a woman is married, the houmongi kimono replaces the furisode kimono. The houmongi is made of solid fabrics making it comfortable to be worn. The other modern type of kimono is the yukata kimono which is a light cotton kimono and it is worn especially during the summer season and at festivals. There is also another type of Kimono known as the mofuku kimono. It is all black and worn to funerals. It is often used to show respect to the deceased individuals. The other global significance of the Kimono dress is that it has become a type of dress that is preferred by the young men in western countries. Many young people have preferred to have this kind of wear in ceremonies, weddings and funerals. How and why the Kimono dress has changed when transplanted into other cultures Milenovich (cited in Kimonos, 2007) indicates that the Kimono dress has been moved into other cultures in the recent past. One of the cultures that have greatly become interested in the Japanese kimono type of dress is the Western culture. Many people especially the youths in the Western world have started wearing this kind of dress in non-formal occasions such as get-togethers or even wedding celebrations. However, the spread of this type of dress into other cultures has faced a lot of challenges. As a matter of fact, there have been physical or rather material changes when the kimono dress is moved into other cultures. Moreover, when the kimono dress is transplanted into other cultures such as the western culture, there is often a change in the significance of the product. To start with, when the Kimono dress is transplanted to other cultures, there is often a change in the material and physical nature of the dress. Instead of manufacturing a similar product made of silk and the materials of the sort, the people of the western culture often manufacture a cloth similar to the Kimono dress though from cotton, wool or synthetics. This results in a very different type of kimono dress (Grant, 2005). Nakagawa and Rosovsky (1963) argue that when the Kimono dress is transplanted into other cultures, the functionality and where it is worn also differs. These are some of the changes that are recorded when the culture of a place is incorporated by different people. The Japanese prefer to wear the Kimono type of dress in special occasions. However, in the Western world, people wear the kimono dress in the streets and everywhere, including informal gatherings. This is a change in the significance of the product that is recorded when it is interpreted into other cultures. To recap it all, the Kimono dress is an interesting type of dress that was initially started in Japan before it spread to other cultures. The traditional Kimono dress is made of silk and is easy to wear as it is T-shaped and easily fits into the body. However, changes and interpretation and transplant of the culture to other cultures has led to the development of new or modern Kimono dresses that are made of cotton, wool and other synthetic fibers. The transplant in other cultures has led to a significant change in the global significance of the Kimono dress. References Ashikari, M. (2003). The memory of the women’s white faces: Japaneseness and the ideal image of women. Japan Forum, 15 (1), 55. Dalby, L (2001). Kimono: Fashioning Culture. Seattle: University of Washington Press Diamond, J (1998). "Japanese Roots". Discover Magazine 19 (6). Goldstein-Gidoni, O. (1999). Kimono and the construction of gendered and cultural identities. Ethnology, 38 (4), 351-370. Grant, P. (2005). Kimonos: the robes of Japan. Phoebe Grant’s Fascinating Stories of World Cultures and Customs, 42 Kuitert, W (1988). Themes, Scenes and Taste in the History of Japanese Garden Art. J.C.Gieben, Publisher, Amsterdam Martin, R (1995). "Our Kimono Mind: Reflections on 'Japanese Design: A Survey since 1950'". Journal of Design History 8 (3) (The Design History Society). pp. 215–223. Milenovich, S (2007). Kimonos. New York: Abrams. Nakagawa, K. Rosovsky, H. (1963). The case of the dying kimono: the influence of changing fashions on the development of the Japanese woolen industry. The Business History Review, 37 (1/2), 59-68 Peter N. D(1990), The Myth of Japanese Uniqueness (London: Routledge), passim. Read More

The traditional wear has several observable characteristics that distinguish it from other cultural wear. To begin with, the Kimono is made in such a manner that it is T-shaped. The T-shape enables it to be easily worn. Besides, the human body is often T-shaped when the arms are spread apart. That is to say, the wear was made in a manner that easily fitted the human body. The other characteristic of the Kimono dress is that, different from other clothes, it is wrapped around the body. This is an easier way of having the cloth on the body of an individual.

The Kimono is wrapped in a special manner such that the left side is over the right side. In Asia, wrapping clothes over the body is a common practice, what can be referred to as the Asian culture. Asia has many wrestlers and this is a common practice among them. They have various reasons for wrapping the Kimono dress around their body; either to save time during dressing up or uphold their moral uprightness. The Western culture rarely exhibits a practice where individuals cover the whole body.

This is one of the differences between the two cultures. The other characteristic of the Kimono Japanese dress is that it is worn with traditional footwear and split-toe socks. Diamond (1998) argues that, in Japan, the traditional footwear worn with the Kimono dress is commonly known as geta while the split-toe socks are known as tabi. Wearing the Kimono dress with the traditional footwear is common such that it is impossible to find a person wearing the dress with any modern footwear such as shoes.

The most encouraging thing among the Japanese is that they love and envy their culture so much that they will go miles ahead to promote it. Will all these put on; definitely a warm feeling will be felt. It is the reason why this dress is mostly worn by the Japanese during the cold seasons. Some aspects of the how the Kimono dress is manufactured has remained constant for a long period of time. Another observable characteristic of the garment is that it is distinctively rectangular in shape. This has made it to be easily identifiable whether as a painted nylon bathrobe or a formal Japanese dress.

Clothes are rarely rectangular in shape. Therefore, the rectangular shape in which the dress is made makes it one of the most unique cultures in the world. The rectangular shape enhances how it is put on as it is simply rolled from the left to the right in order to cover the body. Technically, the other observable characteristic is that all kimono sleeves reach the wrist. Initially, it was said that the Kimono dress is T shaped. Once the arms of the person wearing the dress are outstretched, they will fit well into the T shape of the dress.

Additionally, the length of the Kimono dress is often determined by how far the sleeve falls from the outstretched arm. There are Kimono dresses with short sleeves and others with long sleeves. The Kimono dresses with short sleeves are known as ‘kosode’ while those with long sleeves are known as ‘furisode’. The size of the sleeve opening and whether or not it has side slits can also affect the kimono terminology. The other characteristic of the Kimono Japanese dress is that it is mostly worn by women (Ashikari, 2003).

This is one of the evident cultures of the Japanese people. It is very rare to find men wear this type of dress except for the professional wrestlers who take part in wrestling competitions. The other observable characteristic of the traditional Japanese Kimono dress is that it made of silk and satin weaves. This distinguishes it from the other cultures especially the African culture where most of its cultural dresses are made of animal skins and hides. Apart from the traditional Japanese Kimono dress, there is the modern type which is made of fabrics such as cotton, rayon, polyester and other synthetic fibers.

Cultural Specificity of the Japanese Kimono Dress The world has different cultures. However, specific countries have their own culture that they do not share with any other country.

Read More