Hello! It is the blog How Unique Japan! How are you, everyone?
This blog always informs you about Japanese features and unique.
So, what comes today?
This time, we would like to tip on Japanese uniforms for SCHOOLS. If you have seen some Japanese Anime about teenagers, there should have been some students wearing unique uniforms for school life.
The male students usually wear a black uniform with a stand-up collar, while the female students wear sailor styles.
Some people say they are cute or cool. Besides, there are several variations or styles. Why do some schools stipulate to wear? 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. This is due to the enormous change in government policies on education.
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, the school for nobilities and imperial families, Gakusyuuin, accepted the military uniform design for students (at that time, the uniform was with a stand-up collar).
So, the first one was concerned with the army.
Indeed. The Meiji era was 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. Why not the Navy? Yes. That is why the navy uniform seller 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 gradually vary.
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 a lot of choices for students nowadays. Some decide which school they would join by the design of uniforms.
Everyone can wear anything they want.
One more add. There is often a fashion show for school uniforms in some schools.
The romance with the uniform
Anything would get a rumor or gossip whenever it got famous. So, the uniform is no exception.
One of the famous romances about the uniform is the second button of uniform.
When a male student graduates, he will give the second one to a female student who has a relationship with him.
It is the sign he fell in love with her.
Yep. Instead of confessing the love, he gives her a button to express his feelings.
Why is the second one?
There are various theories for the question. But the truth is still vague.
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 the heart/soul to her).
Sounds romantic.
When is the lovely habit born?
We are sorry that it is also unclear. At least, many theories told the sad story.
Thus, we need to touch on some dark side of history again because that story was born during World War 2.
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.
But he hesitated to say his love to her because he would be silent 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 into Japanese lifestyle, food, the Edo era, and religion. If your curiosity isn’t satisfied yet, please look at other topics!
They are into 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!