Gaijin or non-Japanese ladies in kimono. [Archive]

Tokis-Phoenix

May 1, 2006, 10:24

One of the reasons why i am doing this thread/poll is because of well, i suppose its because of what is considered socially acceptable in various countries when it comes to other countries cultures or traditions.
Most japanese probably wouldn't look twice at somone wearing british victorian fashion, because the gothic lotita fashion is well known about and nothing rare or out of the ordinary in japan now days as far as i'm aware, and pretty much everyone wears western clothes over there anyways.

But in places like England or America, if anyone wears anything that has strong connections to another culture like kimono in japan, or sari from india, gets different treatment in general- a lot of people look twice when they see muslim wearing Ghutrah for example, which is a part of the headdress worn by Arab men...Even in a place like america, where a lot of the population was founded on immigrants, there still seems to be unwritten rules of what is socially accpetable to wear as far as culture and tradition goes...

Gaijinian

May 1, 2006, 10:35

I might "Discreetly stare," and maybe ask her if she spoke Japanese.

epigene

May 1, 2006, 11:24

I'd stare "discreetly", too. (No offense, but I can't hold my curiosity...:relief: )

I might also either give advice on wearing kimono (because many gaijin ladies don't know how to wear and behave in a kimono in the "real" Japanese style) or praise her (if she "really knows" how to wear and behave in one--this being a rarity). :-)

Uncle Frank

May 1, 2006, 19:30

I'd probably get her to join the JREF Forum.

Frank

:-)

misa.j

May 1, 2006, 20:31

I think kimono will hold its beauty when its worn by a beautiful woman whether she is a Japanese or non-Japanese. To answer you question Tokis, I will notice her, but I wouldn't do anything.

I love seeing people wearing a traditional clothing and enjoying the occasion.

moffeltoff

May 2, 2006, 00:16

If she is goodlooking have a look and maybe try to start a conversation if not I wouldnｴt do anything.

nurizeko

May 2, 2006, 01:30

I might looked at her at a passing glance longer then most folk but it isnt a big deal to me.

yukio_michael

May 2, 2006, 02:03

Minty

May 2, 2006, 04:47

Personally, I'd think that if I saw a woman wearing let's say, a yukata, instead of a kimono--- because, when are you going to see gaijin outside of Japan who are actually fitted for a kimono? I'd think either she was doing it as a lark, or that she was one of those 'obsessive' types who through means of total immersion, hope to one day wake up as a Japanese citizen.

Actually in Taiwan and Hong Kong they have lots of photography shops where you rent costumes for personal portraits, they often have kimono, people just like to dress up for fun. I don't think just because people wear Kimono in public places, necessarily means they are obsess to become Japanese citizen.;-)

I don't think yukata look very good on gaijin, I don't know. Whenever I went to matsuri, I always felt out of place (not that I was wearing a yukata----), but watching Japanese teenagers parading down the street, towing the big kasahoko with ropes, and playing taiko drums, I always felt like I was an interloper in the middle of a ceremony that I snuck a look at when nobody was watching.

I associate the same feelings w/ gaijin wearing yukata/kimono.
Isn't gaijin any foreigners? If Chinese/Koreans wear kimono, most of the time I think it will suit them quite well.:haihai:

Just a curiosity thread - what would you do if you saw a non-Japanese/gaijin lady walking down the street in kimono, and you are not in Japan? The options in the poll are about how you would react or what you would do if you sparked conversation with her or not etc .

I actually have worn Kimono two times, the first time it was one of the costumes for my personal portrait, the second was one of the costumes of my wedding portrait. Yes, people starred in the streets of Taiwan. My husband also have worn kimono, he looked better in the male version of Kimono than the Manchurian Emperor's clothes, but too bad, too many people starred, and that bothered him.:bluush: http://images.google.fr/images?q=tbn:gAv2BS1PtTHtcM:casls.uoregon.edu/clipart_files/Clothing%2520%26%2520Accessories/kimono.1.mn.gif

If I saw people dressed in Kimono, I would take a glance but I won't stare.

PRIZMATIC

May 2, 2006, 06:44

:blush: It is difficult for me to present " not the Japanese woman " to a kimono - too big difference between the Japanese and European cultures. (I saw similar in one reporting on a society of " the Russian - Japanese friendship " - there Russian girls have been dressed in a kimono - ... shall tell so: on expression of faces at these Russian girls it was possible to draw a conclusion - "kimono" and "they" from the different worlds...):angel:

Nana007

May 2, 2006, 07:29

Well I have always loved ethnic clothes, especially saris. I have about 2 of them, but I never wear them except inside the house because I feel so self consious what will people think. I love Kimono and would love to wear them, but I don't think it would look right on me, and then I would be like what does everyone think of me.

zeroyon

May 2, 2006, 15:22

Interestingly enough, we (my classmates) were shooting film for a project for a japanese class I am in, and we had to wear kimono for the scene (I was wearing a mens Yukata, one of the girls was wearing a womens Yukata). We had to shoot one of our scenes in downtown Denver because it was the only place suitable around here for the specific scene, and needless to say, we got TONS of stares and chuckles, and a few people pointing... :okashii:

I chose "Only make nice comments about her or her kimono if she is wearing it well or looks good in it.", because seriously, it's not cool to stare...

I meant to choose "Make a nice/positive passing comment at her- its nice to see non-Japanese interested in kimono. " as well... but I do have to admit though that it probably would be kinda odd to the average person seeing non-japanese in kimono, or anyone in kimono at all in the middle of America.

Tsuyoiko

May 2, 2006, 19:21

I wouldn't look. I am used to seeing people dressed in many different ways, so I might not even notice.

sl0thmachin3

May 2, 2006, 19:31

First thing that comes to my mind if I see a person in that situation is "cool, she's probably going to a cosplay or a costume party."

Sure is eye-catching but I wouldn't mind at all nor think badly or differently if I saw the same person wearing a sarong or somesuch.

I might even ask to have our picture taken together if I happen to have my cam at the time.

yukio_michael

May 3, 2006, 01:37

Isn't gaijin any foreigners? If Chinese/Koreans wear kimono, most of the time I think it will suit them quite well.:haihai:I don't know if I'm worse or better for not taking the Japanese low road in thinking all people not of Japanese blood are gaijin, though rather I think of gaijin as any white-western person... just as most assume that any white-gaijin is from the US... but that's the rub.

Anyways, I don't think that westerners look good in traditional-eastern clothing. I do however think that the Japanese look superb in a pair of blue-jeans.

Minty

May 4, 2006, 05:09

I don't know if I'm worse or better for not taking the Japanese low road in thinking all people not of Japanese blood are gaijin, though rather I think of gaijin as any white-western person... just as most assume that any white-gaijin is from the US... but that's the rub.
Anyways, I don't think that westerners look good in traditional-eastern clothing. I do however think that the Japanese look superb in a pair of blue-jeans.

I don't think a pair of blue jeans is a good comparison to traditional Japanese clothing; you should compare traditional European clothing to traditional Japanese clothing.

I think Japanese like to assume white people are American because they have more ties with American than the rest of the white people. It is the same with the Taiwanese, most of them only know Americans.

Alma

May 4, 2006, 05:47

interesting.. never thought about that, but i'm sure i would notice her, but not stare.

hmm i think i saw before here some girls wearing traditional indian clothes, sari.. and girls weren't indian.. so i think it's same think. i did noticed it, but didn't care too much about it. probably, kimono would be more interesting for me.. that would be something new :)

Kinsao

May 9, 2006, 06:03

I'm very used to seeing women wearing saris, and both women and men wearing traditional Muslim dress and also traditional Hindu and Sikh dress (for instance men with turbans), because my city is very multicultural. In fact, it would be a very odd day if I didn't see a woman in a sari! But I have never seen someone wearing a kimono. If it was Japanese woman I would not take much notice (probably I'd think she was going to a formal event or something), but I think I'd look twice if it was an obviously "western" looking or black person wearing it. Considering it is also not a very "easy" thing to wear (putting it on and stuff), so it's unlikely they'd have worn it for comfort, I'd think they had dressed up for a special reason - a party, a concert, or maybe even in the middle of a show dress rehearsal and had nipped out for a packet of cigs! ^^ I wouldn't walk up to speak to them but if I was standing near them, like in a shop, I'd probably say something like, "I like your unusual kimono; are you going to a special event?"............ :relief:

As regards whether non-Japanese look good in a kimono (wasn't there a thread about this in "culture shock" section?), I think it entirely depends on the person: whether they are good-looking person anyway, with a nice figure, plays a part in that; also whether they are wearing the kimono as it should be worn.

Hideki_Matsui_Beast

May 9, 2006, 06:51

I think there's nothing sexier than a woman in a kimono.

Kinsao

May 9, 2006, 06:58

I think there's nothing sexier than a woman in a kimono.
A woman not in a kimono...? ;-)

Hideki_Matsui_Beast

May 9, 2006, 07:09

A woman not in a kimono...? ;-)

You are a wise man. :cool:

PRIZMATIC

May 9, 2006, 07:49

:cool:I "support" the statement about "wisdom"...
Especially in a question about " the Japanese women without a kimono "...:blush: :wave:

Nana007

May 9, 2006, 07:55

You are a wise man. :cool:

Psst...Kinsaos a female.

Hideki_Matsui_Beast

May 9, 2006, 08:11

Ooooops hahaha. My bad, Kinsao! Sorry!!!

kirei_na_me

May 9, 2006, 08:45

I think there's nothing sexier than a woman in a kimono.

A blue kimono perhaps?

Ma Cherie

May 9, 2006, 08:57

If I saw someone wearing traditional dress from another country, I may speak to them. There could be many different reasons as to why they're wearing a kimono. Since there is a large number of Indian students I see lots of saris. But I don't know if a foreigner would look nice in a kimono, it all depends on how it's worn and what colors they're wearing.

Hideki_Matsui_Beast

May 9, 2006, 09:17

A blue kimono perhaps?

Blue is the sexiest, no question! :love:

godppgo

May 9, 2006, 16:27

Blue is the sexiest, no question! :love:

I find black kimono the sexiest :silly: , not the ones worn in a funeral but ones worn by yakuza boss' wives...

Tokis-Phoenix

May 9, 2006, 22:13

I find black kimono the sexiest :silly: , not the ones worn in a funeral but ones worn by yakuza boss' wives...

You mean tomesode?

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b105/dabigginger/Bumblebee/tomesode.jpg

(above is a classic example of a tomesode, one of the most formal kimono)
As far as traditional japanese clothes go, men essentially wear the same stuff from the day they are born 'til the day they die- for women, its a different matter.
Kimono for women can say a lot about you- from your age, wether you are married or not, to the season or time of year etc. There's different types of kimono as well for different events or formality of the occasion as well.

Women who are young/under 26 years old and not married wear furisode or long sleeved kimono, they can also wear normal length sleeve kimono, but once they are married or old/mature they cannot wear furisode or long sleeved kimono.

furisode;

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b105/dabigginger/Bumblebee/furisode.jpg

The black tomesode (also Kurotomesode and irotomesode) is the most formal kimono for a married or mature woman. Kimono (although not all kimono) also often have family crests on them, the more crests the kimono has the more formal it is- the most crest a kimono can have is 5, men's kimono also often have crests. Tomesode and also come in colors other than black for less formal occasions (black being the most formal color for kimono).
Never wear plain black or white kimono or obi- the only time you wear plain black kimono is to a funeral, while the only time you wear plain white is either when you get married, or when you are dead.

Tomesode;

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b105/dabigginger/Bumblebee/tomesode2.jpg

There's different types of obi as well for the different types of kimono for women, things like maru obi which is the longest and widest is most suited to formal kimono, while obi like hanhaba which is the shortest and narrowest obi for women and usually made out of cotton, is just for yukata, which is a very unformal kimono :) .

yukio_michael

May 10, 2006, 01:44

I don't think a pair of blue jeans is a good comparison to traditional Japanese clothing; you should compare traditional European clothing to traditional Japanese clothing.Yes, I meant that as a joke, as many people have comented before how they feel that the Japanese are becoming more western because they happen to wear blue jeans.

I think Japanese like to assume white people are American because they have more ties with American than the rest of the white people. It is the same with the Taiwanese, most of them only know Americans.I just feel that the ammount of open & public wear of kimono in the west is not enough for the garment to be seen as casual.

As for Asians, the dress more closely adheres to the culture and history, so, I feel they tend to wear it better, it's not a race thing--- just cultural history awareness.

yukio_michael

May 10, 2006, 01:45

kirei_na_me

May 10, 2006, 01:58

I think I've mentioned before that I think gaijin(caucasian, anyway) females are generally too curvaceous for proper kimono wear. We have more to mash down to give that real streamlined look.

Besides, the Japanese have the way they walk, the seiza, just the way they carry themselves, so deeply ingrained. I think it's almost impossible for a gaijin to pass all of that, which comes so naturally to the Japanese, off in order to carry the kimono well.

Of course, I'd love to wear a real kimono, just to see what it's like. I've always wanted a real one. They're so beautiful. Especially those elaborate furisode.

Tokis-Phoenix

May 10, 2006, 02:38

Here is a challenge, try to find a picture of a 'while girl' ---sorry, that sounds a little crass, doesn't it? gaijin female... (who is not tarento, are there any gaijin female tarento?) wearing a kimono. So we can compare.

Here are some non-japanese/white girls in kimono who i think look great in kimono;

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b105/dabigginger/Bumblebee/gaijinfurisode.jpg

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b105/dabigginger/Bumblebee/gaijinfurisode2.jpg

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b105/dabigginger/Bumblebee/gaijinkimono.jpg

(The lady in the plain kimono, she is the admin of one of the forums i am a member of, i think she looks great in kimono :cool: )

I think I've mentioned before that I think gaijin(caucasian, anyway) females are generally too curvaceous for proper kimono wear. We have more to mash down to give that real streamlined look.

Besides, the Japanese have the way they walk, the seiza, just the way they carry themselves, so deeply ingrained. I think it's almost impossible for a gaijin to pass all of that, which comes so naturally to the Japanese, off in order to carry the kimono well.

You can add special padding under your kimono to fill out your curves- there's a ton of acessories you need to wear kimono properly, even if you are japanese, although not all are vital- you can wear kimono properly though even if you are a tall curvy gaijin, you just need to know what to buy and how to wear it ;) .

Of course, I'd love to wear a real kimono, just to see what it's like. I've always wanted a real one. They're so beautiful. Especially those elaborate furisode.

Immortalgeisha forums is good for finding out how to wear kimono properly, there's a lot of girls and guys there (japanese and non-japanese) who go there to chat about traditional japanese things, geisha/maiko and kimono etc. The forum is currently going through an upgrade at the mo(should be finished within the next day or two), but you can still go there if you are interested in wearing kimono or traditional japanese culture :) ;

http://www.immortalgeisha.com/ig_bb/index.php

There's also ichiroya and yamatoku who sell kimono and kimono accessories, i've use them both and find them very reliable online stores (they also have ebay stores as well) if you are interested in buying kimono but cannot get any in japan;

http://www.ichiroya.com/

http://www.yamatoku.jp/classic/

:cool:

yukio_michael

May 10, 2006, 03:16

Besides, the Japanese have the way they walk, the seiza, just the way they carry themselves, so deeply ingrained. I think it's almost impossible for a gaijin to pass all of that, which comes so naturally to the Japanese, off in order to carry the kimono well.I think that was part of what set off a lot of nihonjin about Memoirs of a Geisha, being that the main actresses were not Japanese, of course a good deal of people in an American audience would never even notice the difference, which was pointed out as well.

Of course, I'd love to wear a real kimono, just to see what it's like. I've always wanted a real one. They're so beautiful. Especially those elaborate furisode.My gf used to work as a hostess at mizu shoubai, and at times, she wore a yukata, but with little flourishes that made it look more like a kimono. There is something quite beautiful about an Asian female even in a yukata... and especially, at matsuri, everywhere you look are girls in yukata, and then you will see a little teeny girl in a equally tiny yukata, its so precious it breaks your heart... oh, now I sound all sappy.

Anyways, you should hunt down a yukata, and improvise. I don't know if I would go to the mall in it, but I'm sure you'll work that out! ;)

PRIZMATIC

May 10, 2006, 08:10

...:blush: In film "Geisha", for all that, that actors game remarkable, " the Chinese manners " enough frequently "prove" in game of actresses... :angel:

PRIZMATIC

May 10, 2006, 08:17

Separate question - whether " not Japanese women " will agree to comprehension of that - "kimono" is a part of the Japanese soul...:angel:
4560

Kyoko_desu

May 10, 2006, 12:27

I find black kimono the sexiest, not the ones worn in a funeral but ones worn by yakuza boss' wives...
You mean this?
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v419/chillax0407/gokudounoonna_01.jpg

Mars Man

May 10, 2006, 12:51

I made the error of thinking that the setting was Japan. I voted for 'look' although I wouldn't put that as stare, actually, and I would make a little conversation--of course postitive, regardless of how fitting or not. BUT, if it were,say, in America, I may possibly be more reluctant to strike up a conversation because of having less of a clue as to why a kimono were being worn.

Here is a challenge, try to find a picture of a 'while girl' ---sorry, that sounds a little crass, doesn't it? gaijin female... (who is not tarento, are there any gaijin female tarento?) wearing a kimono. So we can compare.

Well, I'll try to see if I can get the picture, one of my students has it, but a lady from Russia and her daughter came by to visit me on April 28th at the university (my student had brought them for a tour of it) and later my student got together with her kimono teacher and put the both of them in kimonos and took a picture, and it was really great !!

I think it really depends on the person's look and character, regardless of basic human-family grouping. In the two pics that Minty provided, obviously the girl on the bottom had a better overall aura, artistically, but that may well have been due to the choice of color and pattern chosen.

There is one Western lady who is an okami san of some Japanese inn who has appeared on TV commercials before--she looks quite well in a kimono. A good nape is one fundimental point, I feel.

godppgo

May 10, 2006, 15:18

Kyoko_desu-san, Tokis-Phoenix-san,

Those pictures are awesome! Kyoko_desu-san, is that a picture from the movie 極道の妻たち?

Mikawa Ossan

May 10, 2006, 17:56

I think that was part of what set off a lot of nihonjin about Memoirs of a Geisha, being that the main actresses were not Japanese, of course a good deal of people in an American audience would never even notice the difference, which was pointed out as well.
I haven't seen the movie, just some pictures, and the main actresses don't look even remotely Japanese in those pictures I saw. It was amazing how strange they looked to me! Of course, it was made primarily for an American audience primarily by Americans, so it's forgiveable, but I don't think I can watch it. Unless the acting is REALLY good, I think I would find the obvious non-Japaneseness a little too distracting.

I knew some girls (caucasion, from USA and Canada) who went to Kyoto and dressed up as Maiko for a day. All I can say is that some of them looked better than others in their get-ups.

Tokis-Phoenix

May 10, 2006, 18:47

I haven't seen the movie, just some pictures, and the main actresses don't look even remotely Japanese in those pictures I saw. It was amazing how strange they looked to me! Of course, it was made primarily for an American audience primarily by Americans, so it's forgiveable, but I don't think I can watch it. Unless the acting is REALLY good, I think I would find the obvious non-Japaneseness a little too distracting.
I knew some girls (caucasion, from USA and Canada) who went to Kyoto and dressed up as Maiko for a day. All I can say is that some of them looked better than others in their get-ups.

The issues with Memoirs Of A Geisha that i can think of at the top of my head are;
a. None of the geisha/maiko wore the traditional haristyles that real geisha and maiko wear- apparently the hairstyles they used in the movie were inspired from paris fashion.
b. The make-up was really toned down and not done in the traditional way- apparently they thought that the traditional white make-up would be "too scary" for american audiences.
c. There's a whole catalog of small blunders in the book and movie, though not really noticeable, like from wearing the wrong sort of kimono in the wrong season or doing traditional dances that never existed etc.
d. MOAG was set primarily durining the 20's and 40's in japan- war time. A lot of the upset and controversy surrounding the movie from the chinese was the fact that during this time the japanese were actually slaughtering the chinese and doing as sorts of horrible things to them.
What worse then, to put a chinese actress in the role of a japanese geisha, who in reality, would have been entertaining those japanese troops and helping the war effort in a variety of ways, when those troops would have been killing the chinese.

This was one of the main reasons why MOAG was banned in China.
On the other hand, the japanese didn't really like the chinese/non-japanese actresses portraying one of their cultural traditional icons, in the first movie about geisha to be properly aired across the world- particually when the movie had so many blunders as far as the facts and traditions went.
It probably wouldn't have been so bad at all if it had been the second or third movie in a long line of successful and well-known geisha movies, but being the first it would make a big impression about japanese culture.

MOAD is a completely made-up story (well, actually Golden did borrow a lot of stuff from a real life famous geisha called Mineko, thats why she sued him), but you really shouldn't take it too seriously (although most people will) because of this.
I dunno "sigh"...

I suppose it has done some good things though, like sparked a lot of interest in traditional japanese culture, and those who are really interested in it will probably find their way to some good information sources. And although i have yet to see all the movie (i read the book nuimerous times), i can't wait to see all the stunning kimono worn and traditional japanese buildings and things and all the characters i came to know in the book (the movie is coming out on dvd here in a couple of days i think).
I really enjoyed the book actually, it was a good story even if it wasn't very realistic at times- but then again, its just a story, i would have read "Geisha"
by Liza Crihfield Dalby if i wanted a proper info source on geisha and traditional japanese culture :cool: .
Bah! I'm waffling on again traditional japanese culture :blush: , sorry :bluush: !

PRIZMATIC

May 11, 2006, 07:26

:angel: It is a little from a theme:
There is such American film "K-19" about " Russian submariners " - giving due to the American cinematographers for qualitative enough film (sometimes you overlook, that this film not "Russian":cool: ), but looking as " Russians seamen drink vodka ", involuntarily test unpleasant sensations... Russians so do not drink...
Precisely also, I shall take only one episode, in " Memoirs of Geisha " - dance with "fans" is only " performance of the actress of the Chinese circus "...
It very much " a thin thing " - transfer of other culture...:blush:
And if - dress "kimono" the not Japanese woman (girl) " can and " she will be " nice or beautiful " in it a kimono..., but it will be " not the Japanese woman in the Japanese kimono "...:angel:

Kyoko_desu

May 11, 2006, 09:55

Yes, Mikawa Ossan and Tokis-Phoenix, the movie was obviously made by non-Japanese people who don't know Japan very much.

The followings are reviews of the movie "SAYURI-Memories of Geisha" by Japanese people I found on Yahoo.

さすが　ハリウッド。かなりゴージャスな作りの映画です。お金もかかっています。映像的にはとても美しい映画です。しかし。。うーーーん。。。「The Last Samurai」　を観た時にも思ったのですがどうして　時代考証担当や小道具担当のスタッフにきちんと勉強した経験豊富な日本人を使わないのでしょうね？？　今回もしかり。。。で

日本の芸者の役に中国人を使うなー！(Don't cast a Chinese actress for the geisha,
at least not for the main character.)
芸者はそんな髪型はしないだろー！　(Geisha never wear their hair like that!)
そんな着物をそんな着付けで着ないだろー！(They never wear such type of kimono in such way!)
芸者が客に向かって　そんな言い方しないだろー！(They never speak to the audience/customers like that!)
芸妓がそんな踊りを踊るはずがないだろー！(They never perform that kind of dance!)
指で扇子を　これでもか！というくらいグルグル回す・・・(They never twirl a sensu guruguruguruGURUGURU like that!!)

から　始まり、ロケ地から、セットから、小道具関係から、etc... 普通の常識ある日本人から見たらちょっと　？？？？　と頭からはてなマークいっぱいな映画でした。

「wasabi」もテレビで見たけど痛かったもん、弁護士事務所に障子なんかあるかーーー！！とか。

アメリカ人のステレオタイプ的なシーンが痛々しかったです。知識ある日本人スタッフを起用すればかなり素晴らしい映画になったと思うのよね。残念っ！
主役が中国人女優であろうと、髪型がポンパドール風であろうと、芸妓と舞妓の区別が曖昧であろうと、お座敷が花魁ショー風であろうと、扇の使い方が南京玉簾であろうと、そこはエンターテイメントだからと我慢して見ておりましたが、”右前の着物”だけは止めてもらいたかった！！さすがに主役の晴れ着はきちんと左前で着付けてありましたが、ふと脇の人の着物を見ると・・・・・嗚呼！右前！！死人じゃあるまいし。たぶん、本職の着付けの人以外が見よう見真似で着せるのでしょうが。

don't think I want to watch that movie either...
To godppgo, yes, the pic I posted before was from the movie 「極道の妻たち」(in short, Gokutsuma).

Minty

May 13, 2006, 02:32

Well I don't think wearing traditional clothes out and portraying a professional traditional Japanese occupation while wearing their traditional costume is the same.

When I was in Australia a Japanese colleague wore a Qipao one day to work.
But she had no idea it was somebody else's traditional clothes she bought it from Japan and she thought it was just fashion clothing found in the department store.

If I want to do a search on the internet about Japanese or Korean actors who potrayed Chinese roles wearing Chinese costumes I am sure I would find at least some.

However there isn't any enormous controversy unlike the movie "Memoir of the Geisha".

I agree with most of what Tokis said, the subject of Geisha near and during the Second World War is a sensitive one, because the Japanese war crime issues still shadow over Japanese and Chinese today. This is the real reason why certain people are so upset about this film, that plus the misled of the profession of Geisha.

I wonder why did they still give the costume designer Oscar for this movie.

Kinsao

May 16, 2006, 17:33

I don't have much knowledge about traditional Japanese clothing, kimono and the like. Tokis-Phoenix evidently does! But, the whole issue of the costumes for the film puzzles me. Surely if you're making such film, and you are the person responsible for the costumes, one of the first and most important things you are doing is your research, to make sure your costumes are authentic. It would seem to me very strange to find such big errors. Even if the designer didn't know anything about Japanese traditional clothing to start off with, I'd have been willing to bet that he/she would be something of an expert by the end! But I'm not so sure... :clueless:

yukio_michael

May 18, 2006, 23:01

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b105/dabigginger/Bumblebee/gaijinkimono.jpg
(The lady in the plain kimono, she is the admin of one of the forums i am a member of, i think she looks great in kimono :cool: )I still think that this girl looks a bit odd--- though looking at her, I can sort of imagine the type of person who would dress up in a yukata at what looks to be some sort of renaisance fair... probably snacks on pocky while listening to BoA after playing para para, or Taiko drum master, then a few episodes of Naruto before bed where she sleeps on a futon in her American apartment.

ELECTRIC JAPAN

May 19, 2006, 19:31

I love to strip down at night away from my kimono and show off my melons to the night that has fallen.I hate to be all wraped up anytime.
it is a natural fact that I like to view myself in the midnight hours.
I bet some of you would just love to get next to me.
I am your greatest dream,but now I am so tired.
Sayonara:okashii:

Julienne

May 31, 2006, 07:45

Noticed this thread and thinks it's very interesting to look at the differences in various countries, because I don't really know how people look at this in other countries.

As far as the western woman in a kimono goes, I would definetely look at her, because I have never before seen someone in a kimono just walking down the street, Japanese nor Western. Would probably say something if I was with someone (I mean to the person I would be with) and otherwise just look at her a bit, because I would be curious and also like kimonos, but wouldn't stare.

About the whole different culture clothing, that's not really strange here. Don't see sari very often around here, but muslim or arabic kind of clothes are quite common in the Netherlands.
I happen to live not too far from a mosque, so often see men in those long, dress-like clothes (dunno what their called). Also, the official name of my study is Oriental Languages and Orientation, so that also includes Chinese and Arabic, and in the Arabic class there are several Arab people and quite a few of those girls wear clothes that cover their body and they also have head scarfs (if that's the right word). So I'm quite used to 'different' clothing.

Oh and there is one girl who isn't Arabic, but who dresses as if she is, with head scarf and all. Do have to admit, that kinda looks...strange.

Sorry for the long post :bluush: