II.+Ancient+Fashion-

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I <3 KATHY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! unamious

Fashion has always been a major part of Japan. Since ancient times designers have been working hard to create new and creative fashions. Although today the ancient traditions of Japan maybe somewhat neglected and unknown, ancient fashion has been very influencial to the country. It shaped what we known Japanese style to be today, and it will continue to do so in the future. __**HAIR**__ Japanese women have always loved dramatic hair. Black hair is by far the most common color in Asia. "Japanese noble women in the seventh century A.D. wore their hair very high and boxy at the front, with a sickle-shaped ponytail at the back. This hair-style, known as //kepatsu//, was inspired by Chinese fashions of the time" (Szcepanski). High ranking ladies wore their hair long, high and thin. They believed that thin sticks would keep them safe and the talismins in their hair would protect them from evil so they put many different types of "hair ornaments" in their hair. "Long hair was also a sign of beauty and nobility. Farmers unfortunately could not put their hair up high on their head because they put things on top of their head to carry them"(Abe). .During the Heian age individuality was frowned upon and the common style for everyone was to have their hair tied up with paper. Young unmarried women were also not allowed to show their face in public. Having their faces covered and hidden from men was a sign of beauty back then.

__**DRESS**__ Kimonos were also very fashionable in ancient Japan. "During the Heian period 749-1185, the custom of elaborate layers of colred kimono robes became popular with Japanese women. Jun-hitoe, twelve unlined robes were frequently worn with the sleeve edges and colors showing the shades of each kimono. Persons of the royal court sometimes wore up to sixteen kimono layers" (Japanesekimono.com). Kimonos weren't just for women! Everyone including men and children wore them with a belt called an obi. Men had additional pants underneath their robes too. In the spring and summer seasons thinner and lighter colored robes called yukatas were worn and in the winter they wore thicker and darker colored kimonos. For women especially, kimonos aren't just worn based on age but also by maritial status. Young, unmarried women wear colorful, rich patterned, long sleeved kimonos while older married women wear the more simple robes. For their wedding, women had special white kimonos called shiro-makus. These special kimonos have more intricate patterns and are much more delicate.

"The two basic types of japanese sandals or japanese shoes is the geta and the zori. The length of the kimono is normally adjusted to hang just at the ankle displaying both the japanese shoes and socks. Japanese sandals and shoes come in a variety of colors and styles, red and black being the most popular" (JapaneseKimono.com). Geta sandals are best known from the common pictures of Geishas. Geta sandals are any sandal without an attached heel. The front of these sandals is slightly tapered to make the wearer lean forward when they walk. Walking in these sadals takes a lot of practice. The zori and tatami sandals have flat bottoms and are much more casual then the geta sandals. "The sandals are called tatami which means straw. The surface of the sandal is made from woven straw like the tatami mats used on the floors of japanese homes" (JapaneseKimono.com). These sandals are all worn with socks. Traditional tabi socks are split between the big toe and index toe. They were specially designed for people to wear them with geta or zori sandals." Odori tabi socks are purchased to the exact fit of the persons foot. The tabi are popular among traditional japanese dancers and theater artists. The vinyl sole bottom of the tabi protects their feet since japanese shoes are not normally worn during performances" (JapaneseKimono.com). Many people still prefer them today because of their softness. __**FANS**__ "Throughout Japan’s history, both the Japanese folding fan and the Japanese hand fan have played significant roles in society and ceremonial traditions. The importance of the Japanese fan far exceeded its ability to keep people cool. It was used in an extensive range of social and court activities" (Oriental-decor.com). It first appeared in sketches of the Japanese God of Happiness. Later the fan was adopted by China and many European countries. Uses of the fan varied from keeping cool to hiding your face. Fans were a gateway to their emotions. Wealthy people were more likely to have fans as a sign of status. But, the fan wasn't only for fashion and beauty, there are also war fans that were used to signal each other on the battlefield. Fashionable fans unlike the "iron fan of war" were made of thin paper with beautiful paintings hand painted on them.
 * __SHOES__**

Citations Abe, Junko. "Big in Japan: a history of hairstyles and hair ornaments." __Open Democracy__. 26 Mar 2009 [].

"Japanese Folding Fans." __Goodsfromjapan.com__. 26 Mar 2009 .

"Japanese Folding Fans." __Oriental-decor.com__. 26 Mar 2009 .

"Japanese Shoes and Japanese Sandals." __Japenese Kimono__. 26 Mar 2009 .

"Kimono History." __Japanese Kimono__. 26 Mar 2009 .

Szczepanski, Kallie. "Japanese Women's Hairstyles Through The Ages." __About.com: Asian History__. 26 Mar 2009 [].

"Tabi, Tabi Boots-Tabi Socks." __JapaneseKimono.com__. 26 Mar 2009 .

"Tatami Sandals- Zori Sandal." __JapaneseKimono.com__. 26 Mar 2009 .