A comparison between the Japanese kimono and Chinese robe - Research Paper Example

Download file to see previous pages Dress materials and designs are the best indicators of the history of a particular region. It holds absolutely true when we say that by looking at the texture, designs, pattern and also the color of the dress material that was worn, one could easily decipher the culture of the people who wore it and also get to the know their way of life in general. Japanese kimono and Chinese robes have been brought into comparison as they resemble each other to a very great extent. There seems to be a cultural link between that of Japan and China which could be deciphered from their clothing. Japanese kimono and Chinese robes looks similar yet comes with their own uniqueness.The kimono came into being in the fifth century. A kimono robe is the typical sign of the Asian cultures. The garment has its long history entrenched in the hearts of the Japanese and Chinese culture. Later, the garment was made more contemporary to include kimono robes that are fundamentally all one size for both men and women. While silk kimonos are traditional garments in Japan, Chinese have Cheongsam as their traditional Chinese garment (Garrett, 1998). Both of these garments are very old and carry with it a long lost historical angle to it. Kimono, a piece of clothing, is not just a form of dressing among the Japanese but is also a clear-cut manifestation of how the Japanese history has evolved over time. The style of Kimono has been altered from one age to that of another and it has undergone changes throughout its history and has finally attained a form today. Goldstein-Gidoni (1997, p. 35) comments “The word kimono used in contemporary Japanese refers to the modern kimono, which “stems from the decorative festive clothing worn on special occasions” The inception time of the Kimono dates back to the time in Japan history pointed out as a specific period. That specific period is the Jomon period (Said, 1995). Kimono was in the form of a piece of clothing that was loosely draped over the body of the wearer. Those times, people did not pay much of attention to clothing as their major activity was to go for hunt and assembling. It was between the year 300 and 550 AD, Kimono dress patterns went for a change. Now the influence of the Chinese culture over the Japanese can be seen and the Kimono dress became a two-piece cloth. The arrival and the settlement of the Chinese in Japan brought about a huge change in their dressing patterns. Kimono was made in white color that was taken from the silk worm. Figure 2: Chinese White Women’ ...Download file to see next pagesRead More