Edo/Meiji Japan Activity 3: Kimono Close-Up LEARNING OBJECTIVE
Students will study the Japanese kimono through observation, dicussion, and creating their own kimono pattern to explore the relationship between traditional clothing and culture.
TIME REQUIRED
30 minutes to an hour
MATERIALS (PROVIDED)
MATERIALS (TEACHER SUPPLIED)
• • • •
yukata or kimono: M2007.11 Three Beauties reproduction print (UAAC 1985.41.6) Kimono Close-up worksheet, 3pgs. (to be duplicated) Personal Kimono Design worksheet (to be duplicated)
• copies of worksheets, if desired • access to the Internet and other research sources
BACKGROUND
The kimono originated in Japan during the Heian period (794-1185 CE) and is recognized around the world as a symbol of Japanese culture. The word “kimono” can be directly translated as “wearing thing,” but is more commonly understood as "robe." Although the styles have changed throughout Japan’s history, kimonos are still worn today for special occasions.
SUGGESTED PROCEDURE
There are 3 sub-activities for this lesson: 1. worksheet and print observation 2. yukata observation 3. personal kimono pattern design
RESPONSE GUIDE
Q3) As a group, complete the Venn Diagram to explore the similarities and differences between your clothing and the clothing in the print. our clothing
similiarities
the clothing in the print
- men's and women's clothing very different - different traditional clothing among multicultural citizens - buttons, snaps, zippers, pockets - brand names, advertising - many fabric designs (e.g. dots, stripes, flowers, solid colours) - highly specialized job specific clothing for protection
- made of colourful fabric - layers of material - specific to needs of wearer - indicates wealth/status
- wrap-around robe with a sash - formal, elegant - restricting movement - designs mostly influenced by nature
Copyright © University of Alberta Museums 2011
Q4) Complete the mindmap with at least four kinds of information and messages that clothing can convey. occupation, age, gender, season, wealth, individual taste, occasion, formality (event or situation), married or single Q5) How might kimono styles have changed to reflect the Edo period? Textiles, kimono designs, and methods of construction became more creative and complex (e.g. complex woven patterns, intricate embroidery, complicated dying techniques. Clothing reflected status and wealth. Complicated sumptuary laws allowed only the upper classes to use textiles like silk and certain designs, such as mon (family symbols or crests). Q6) How might clothing styles have changed in the Meiji period? The strict clothing rules of the Tokugawa Shogunate were relaxed and Westernstyle clothing began making its way into the daily life of Japan. The Emperor adopted Western dress and many others followed. Japanese women's hairstyles were simplified to reflect Western women's style of a loose bun. There was a new emphasis upon commercialism and productivity that resulted in more flexible kimonos for work. Textile and garment manufacturing changed with the introduction of new technologies from the West. Q7) When might people wear kimono in the current Heisei period (1989 to present)? Fewer people wear kimono on a daily basis although kimono can be seen almost every day as people go to and from special occasions (e.g. wedding, graduation, funeral, temple ceremonies). Yukata (cotton kimono) are very comfortable in the summer for festivals and at hot spring resorts. Women in Western countries also began to wear kimono-style garments (e.g. dressing gowns). Q8) Carefully observe the kimono. Can you see how many pieces it is made from? Can you determine the most efficient arrangement of pieces so that the entire kimono could be made from one piece of fabric? Sketch the pieces into this rectangle of fabric to try and figure it out.
sleeve
CONTINUING THE JOURNEY
sleeve
main section back
main section front
front overcollar
front collar
Have students find contemporary photographs of Japanese women and note the differences in traditional and modern dress. Of particular interest are the styles of the "harajuku girls," which has influenced contemporary Western style icons, such as Gwen Stefani. Have students compare the clothing styles of the Renaissance to Western clothing of today.
Copyright © University of Alberta Museums 2011
Kimono Close-up
Instructions: Take turns reading the information and questions below. Discuss as a group, then each person record their own version of the group responses.
The kimono originated in Japan during the Heian period (7941185 CE) and is recognized around the world as a symbol of Japanese culture. The word “kimono” can be translated as “wearing thing.” Although the styles have changed throughout Japan’s history, kimonos are still worn today for special occasions.
Examine the reproduction of the woodblock print called Binjin-Ga (Three Beauties) by Utagawa Yoshikazu (UAAC 1985.41.6). The original work was created around 1850 and is in the University of Alberta Art Collection. This print is a triptych – you can examine all 3 parts together or separately.
1 Describe aloud what you
see in the print, focusing on the clothing and the person wearing the clothing. Brainstorm as a group, then choose three points that convey the most information.
1. __________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 2. __________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 3. __________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________
2
Each person formulate a different thought-provoking “I wonder…” statement about the clothing in the picture. Write down three that you think are particularly intriguing.
1. I wonder..._________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 2. I wonder..._________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 3. I wonder..._________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________
Copyright © University of Alberta Museums 2011
Activity 3 - Kimono Close-up worksheet
3 Look carefully at your
our clothing
classmates’ clothing and your own. As a group, complete the Venn Diagram to explore the similarities and differences between your clothing and the clothing in the print.
the clothing in the print
4 Clothing conveys
status
an enormous amount of information about an individual, a society, and a time period. Complete the mindmap with at least four kinds of information and messages that clothing can convey.
5 During the Edo period,
contact with the outside world was restricted, Neo-Confucian ideas about a strict class system were adopted, and culture flourished. How might kimono styles have changed to reflect this period?
Information and messages from clothing about an individual, a society, and a time period.
____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________
Copyright © University of Alberta Museums 2011
Activity 3 - Kimono Close-up worksheet
6 During the Meiji period, Western influences were welcomed in Japan. How might clothing styles have changed in this period?
____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________
7 When might people still wear kimono in the Heisei period (1989 to present)?
____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________
Kimono Observation The traditional kimono is constructed from a single, long bolt of fabric that is approximately 9 meters long and 30 centimeters wide. This ensures that little or no fabric is wasted. Kimono are washed by disassembling the garment completely, washing the fabric pieces, and sewing it back together. Carefully observe the kimono. Can you see how many pieces it is made from? Can you determine the most efficient arrangement of pieces so that the entire kimono could be made from one piece of fabric? Sketch the pieces into this rectangle to try and figure it out. Look at the kimono to get a sense of scale. You need to make appropriate space for: • 2 sleeves • 2 main sections (1 front, 1 back) • 2 smaller front pieces
• 1 collar • 1 over-collar
0.30 m 9m
Copyright © University of Alberta Museums 2011
Activity 3 - Kimono Close-up worksheet
Personal Kimono Design
Copyright © University of Alberta Museums 2011
Activity 3 - Kimono Close-up worksheet
Design your own kimono pattern to tell a story about you. Consider background pattern, colours, crest designs, and images.
Kimonos change with the season, occasion, the wearer’s age, gender, and marital status. Informal kimonos often have a repetitive fabric design while formal ones are more free-style. Essentially, the style of a kimono reflects individuals who are part of a society during a certain era.
