DressandAppearance2

media type="custom" key="5445193" Dress and appearance was very important in Japanese history. They wore many styles and outfits that were also important for the recognition of people’s status. The kimono was one of the most important parts of the appearance of the Japanese. They came in many formats and colors.

A kimono is a long robe that reaches to the floor and worn with a sash. Both men and women wore these fine pieces of clothing. Kimonos were distinguished by their cut and color. Your age affects what kind of kimono you wear. For example the younger women wear short sleeved and brigh ter colored kimonos while older women wear short sleeved and darker colored kimonos. People often changed their kimonos and just wore plain ones with no designs called yukata. There are different types of kimonos for the different seasons and different types of ceremonies. During the summer, they wear a light yukata, and during the winter they wear a flannel kimono called nemaki.

Kimono designs were very important in Japanese history. They were important because each one was handmade and each an original. Many kimonos carried family crests so others recognized the family and if they were of high importance or not. Men and woman both wore different types of kimonos. Woman wore embroidered and colorful kimonos while men wore dark formal kimonos. The most detailed designs are woven on hand-operated looms. Certain designs on the kimono specify if they are formal or informal. The designs that have woven and dyed patterns are considered informal; the designs that are considered formal have many colors and many different designs on them.

Cosmetics were a very big part of the appearance of people in Japanese culture, though you only wore heavy make up during ceremonies. Men also wore make up until Samurai banned it. The women were still very fond of the makeup, so they continued to wear it. Their nail polish was made of vegetable dye, and they used powder to whiten their face. They shaved their eyebrows and then put black powder in its place as an eyebrow called a “moth wing”. Rouge was used to color the lips and cheeks. Their clothing was perfumed by being held over burning incense. Fans and parasols were not only carried by woman, the men carried them too.

Hair styles in Japan were tied to social status. The poorest people wore their hair cropped and short. Samurai had the tops of their heads shaved and the sides and back were gathered into a braid. Their hair was also oiled and then was doubled forward over the crown and tied that way. It was embarrassing for them to get their hair messed up, even during a fight. Merchant woman wore their hair in elaborate styles with thick grease and hair pins, and it stayed like that for about ten days without washing. There is also a festival for a hair stylist! It celebrates Toragogen one of the most famous woman hair stylists who created many fashionable styles, including the traditional style called Shimada-mage.

Although the Japanese’s appearance was very important a long time ago, now the Japanese dress just like we do. Still, when traditional ceremonies come along people get out their beautiful kimonos and do it just like their ancestors. The kimono will always be important for the Japanese as a great part of their history and lives.

Citations- Odijk, Pamela. __The Japanese__. Morristown, NJ: Silver Burdett Press, 1991.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology, "History: Edo Period (1601-1867 A.D.)". Massachusetts Institute of Technology. http://web.mit.edu/jpnet/kimono/history-edo.html

Mann, Horace. "Medieval Japanese Clothes, Make up, & Hair Styles". 2/16/10 http://www.sfusd.k12.ca.us/schwww/sch618/japan/Clothing/Japanese_Clothing_Make_Up.html

Kalman, Bobbie, __Japan, the Culture. Toronto: Crabtree Pub. Co., 1989.

Odijk, Pamela.__ The Japanese__. Morristown, NJ: Silver Burdett Press, 1991

Mann, Horace. "Medieval Japanese Clothes, Make up, & Hair Styles". 2/16/10 http://www.sfusd.k12.ca.us/schwww/sch618/japan/Clothing/Clothing2.html