Journal of Student Research 2019

Journal of Student Research

Tradition and Modernization: the Survival of the Japanese Kimono goes through; having never lost its meaning and aesthetic. It has instead become a symbol of Japan. It may seem like western ideals have overtaken the kimono, but not. The one overtaken is the traditional craft of a kimono as newer and more efficient ways are being used to make it. Thus, lowering cost, resources, and increasing the survival of larger kimono houses such as Chiso in comparison to smaller kimono houses which do not have the same capacity to make it traditionally. Through this study, with modernization, tradition itself is being harmed, but preservation is through dedication and awareness. The preservation methods are through Japanese designers, businesses, and the introduction of the yukata sparking an interest in the full kimono.

146

147

fashion sense the wearer as compared to the kimono as the thought that the kimono is a traditional garment is harder to digest as a fashionable addition because the wearer does not want to destroy tradition and history compared to the yukata (Ito, 2012). Influences of the kimono in Japanese fashion during the 21st century is through the silhouette, simplicity, and motifs. In Japan’s societal fashion scene, clothing styles refined from western fashion are clean cut and simple, with color choices leaning more towards shades of black and white with accents (Ito, 2012), bringing it back to the cultural aesthetic of light and darkness, analyzed to a certain point in Junichiro Tanizaki’s book In Praise of Shadows 6 (Tanizaki, 1977). Another influence are motifs used throughout Japan’s history as symbolism, secret messages or expression of either what was happening during the era, family status/name or fashion itself. Even in the 21st century, these symbols are not only in fashion but also, architecture and Japanese culture and livelihood as depicted through the historical photos and traditional motifs (Inoue, 1999). integration, but the craft itself is in decline. Many of the younger generation do not want to learn the craft and make it into an occupation as income is hard to obtain, and the time it takes to learn the art form is long. Thus, interest in kimono-making as an occupation has declined. It is leading to the vanishing historical craft of making the kimono as the older generation who understands the art pass away due to old age or through time if no preservation method is in place other than government protection of the methods. The kimono has transcended through time and reflected each era that Japan Types of ways a yukata can be worn and changed, using the child yukata as a example (William, 2013). Conclusion The kimono may be stabilized using western techniques and global

6

A philosophical book that compares Japanese and western aesthetic.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents