Court" Fashion for Japanese Males, Asuka Period (593-710):
Eastern influence is not reserved for Westerners alone, as one can see in Asuka and Nara period clothing designs from Japan. Chinese influence was strong during this time period for clothing styles in Japan between 593 to 794 AD. Buddhism and Chinese culture design was popularized by the imperial court members that wore clothing of this kind. The hakama trousers remained intact, but without the binding ties below the knee that earlier periods had emphasized. The upper garment of this period, the "ho" ("Japanese Dress in Former Times...") was less form fitting than previous designs, sporting loose-fitting sleeves that allowed the wearer to clasp hands together completely engulfed in the fabric. This covered hand fabric enclosure style would be all the rage throughout Europe many centuries later, when proper ladies would warm their hands within the fuzzy confines of the stole accessory, which are still seen occasionally today in retro-fashion chic.
Japanese "Soukutai" Ceremonial Court Dress for Males, Heian period (794-1185):
Japanese Ceremonial Court Dress for Females, Heian period and Kamakura period (1185-1333):
The Heian period in Japanese culture was more complicated fashion-wise. The world of fashion designs was growing more diverse, and for court apparel alone there were now three categories of clothing ensemble variations. The first of these categories was Special Ceremony dress, which was the clothing worn to special occasions at court. The second category was Formal Dress which was worn to imperial court. Finally, there was the ordinary clothing worn on a daily basis in court. The Formal Dress style was called "sokutai" ("Japanese Dress in Former Times"). For women, the clothing style was particularly cumbersome and dressing was a lengthy progress, as the "junihitoe" ("Japanese Dress in Former Times") apparel consisted of twelve individual layers of formal clothing. Both male and female fashions for this period share the "ho" ("Japanese Dress in Former Times") with extremely long, flowing exaggerated sleeves, the style of which would be mirrored by Western-style cloaks with very open and draping arm coverings. The male and female styles also both had the "hakama" visible under layer of clothing on the bottom half. The female outfit made use of a "karaginu" ("Japanese Dress in Former Times") shawl, an elegant timeless piece that has been utilized in fashion design throughout the world. This bulky layered style would be mirrored in many other fashions, such as the corset, petticoat, bustle, outer shawl, etc. ensemble of Western women's clothing of future periods.
Japanese Samurai "Kariginu" Dress for males, Kamakura period and Muromachi period (1333-1568):
Japanese Samurai Winter Court Dress, Muromachi period and Azuchi-Momoyama period (1568-1600):
Warrior clothing styles from Japanese Samurai have been influential in modern design, especially drawing from the popularity of the Samurai image in popular media such as movies and television in the West. During the Kamakura and Muromachi periods between 1185 and 1568, the clothing of the Samurai warrior class remained relatively consistent. Formal occasions called for the "sokutai" ("Japanese Dress in Former Times") outfit which was elaborate and ornate in comparison to the everyday uniform. Ordinary Samurai clothing was "kariginu," which comprised of a hitatare top, with loose-fitting sleeves, and hakama pants, also loose-fitting.
Japanese Dress in Former Times"). This style was based on the fashions of Japanese hunters. Samurai class women also had several types of outfits that were worn. Everyday clothing for these women was made of quilted silks in the form of "kosode," and while these were the less formal styles for Samurai ladies, the design actually bears a striking resemblance to oriental formal wear that is worn to special occasions in Japan and abroad today. "Uchikaka" or "kaidori" were the more colorful formal clothing choice for warrior-class women during this period.
Japanese "Kamishimo" Samurai Court Dress and Everyday Dress, Azuchi- Momoyama period and Edo period (1600-1868):
Japanese Formal dress of married women, Edo period:
The Edo period in Japan was the beginning of several more Japanese styles that remain popularized by Western culture fashions for centuries. The "Kamishimo" was worn by both males and females of the Samurai warrior class during special occasions and attending shogun. This outfit featured stuff shoulder garments that crossed the shoulders and chest, called "kataginu," and skirt-like robes beneath called...
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