Hello! It is the blog: How Unique Japan! How are you, everyone?
This blog always informs you about Japanese features and uniqueness.
So, what comes today?
This time, we would like to discuss Japanese school uniforms. If you have seen some Japanese Anime about teenagers, there should have been some students wearing unique uniforms for school life.
The male students typically wear black uniforms with stand-up collars, while the female students wear sailor-style outfits.
Some people say they are cute or cool. Besides, there are several variations or styles. Why do some schools require students to wear uniforms? And what kind of history is behind it?
Let us see.
The history
The origin emerged during a crucial era for Japan’s first steps toward democracy, following the end of the Samurai hierarchy.
It was the Meiji era (1868 – 1912). Let us say again. The era was essential for the Japanese because we got the first opportunity to learn equally.
So, the education improvements were inevitable. The new politicians wished for our country to be better and stronger with citizens who behaved well in the new education system.
Thus, they established several schools throughout the era.
The uniform was born with that fashion/vogue.
In 1879, Gakusyuuin, the school for nobles and imperial families, introduced a military uniform design for its students, which featured a stand-up collar.
So, the first one was concerned with the army.
Indeed. The Meiji era focused on self-improvement to catch up with Western countries. It is why the connection between education and the military was deeply bound.
Wait. How about the other uniforms for females?
We do not want to delve into the dark side of history. However, educational opportunities for women were indeed quite limited at that time. Thus, the uniform for females came much later.
The first individual was born in 1921 in Nagoya, Aichi prefecture. Interestingly, the concept for the uniform originated from an American teacher named Ms. Rogan.
However, there was a consideration because the army style was already widespread among male students.
The clever idea came.
The male uniform is army style. Then, how about the Navy?
Yes. That is why the navy uniform became the school uniform for females
One more fact. The uniform contains the meaning.
Everyone has an equal opportunity to get an education, regardless of wealth. Therefore, students wear the same uniform.
That is another reason the uniform became widespread.
Since then, many (many) schools copied those styles, and variations have gradually varied.
The various uniform designs also helped teachers identify students from different schools. Such a situation pushed the development of multiple styles.
Currently, blazers are a mainstream style choice.
Indeed. There are choices for students nowadays. Some students decide which school they would enter based on its school uniform design.
Everyone can wear anything they want.
One more add. Some schools often hold fashion shows about school uniforms.
The romance with the uniform
Whenever something becomes famous, it will inevitably attract rumors or gossip. So, the uniform is no exception.
One of the famous romances is the second button of the uniform.
When a male student graduates, he will give the second one to a female student with whom he has a relationship.
It is the sign he fell in love with her.
Instead of confessing his love, he gives her a button to show his feelings.
Why is the second one?
There are various theories.
An influential one said. The second button is close to the heart. Thus, it should mean that he gives his heart to her (or leaves his heart/soul to her).
Sounds romantic.
When is the lovely habit born?
We must revisit the darker aspects of history because this narrative emerged during the worst incident in history, World War II.
Cruelly, many teenagers enlisted in the army due to government directives.
There was one boy who also received an order to join.
He called a childhood friend, a girl he had fallen in love with. She knew it (his feeling).
They met and kept quiet for a long time.
He hesitated to say his love to her because he would be silent (dead) for life. She knew (or felt) that. So, he suddenly tore the second button of the army uniform apart and gave it to her.
And he left.
(We do not know if he came back or not.)
It is the romance about the second button.
To close
It is all for today! Thank you so much for reading this article!
However, it is not yet.
We still have another article (so much) about another Japanese uniqueness.
They are in those topics. It is the Japanese lifestyle, food, the Edo era, and religion. If your curiosity isn’t satisfied yet, please look at other topics!
OK, then, SEE YOU FOR NEXT UNIQUENESS!