Hey! So my friend and i were having a conversation. And i wonder if you could answer a question of give me your thoughts on it? Would wearing a kimono to cosplay an anime character be cultural appropriation? And is it cultural appropriation to wear one just generally?
Thanks for your ask! Great question!
Full disclaimer: I'm just a white girl living in Japan. I'm not Japanese.
But here are my own personal experiences and what Japanese people have told me about their views on this subject.
1. I have worn kimono and yukata for fun. My host mom is one of the rare Japanese people that knows how to put on a kimono still, and she dresses me up in hers sometimes. We'll go for walks around town in them and it's great fun.
2. While out and about in kimono, many Japanese people stop us to talk to me. They are overwhelmingly positive about a foreigner wearing a kimono. The average Japanese person, in my experience, is elated that foreigners are taking interest in Japanese culture. I have never received a disparaging comment.
3. In Kyoto and other big tourist cities, there are a lot of kimono rental services. To the best of my knowledge, Japanese people do not look down on this. Again, they're really happy that strangers are taking interest in Japanese culture.
So what might upset a Japanese person about a foreigner wearing kimono?
Well, if you're cosplaying an anime character and that anime character wears a kimono, I personally don't think that falls under cultural appropriation. Again, I'm just a white girl, though. So if a Japanese person presents a different opinion, I will defer to it.
What I might consider cultural appropriation during cosplay is if, for example, you cosplay a character who wears a traditional kimono like Nezuko here:
But instead, you change up her kimono to look something like, idk, this:
DONT. DONT DO IT. JUST DONT. EVERYTHING possible is wrong about this. (Btw, this is what I got when I googled "kimono costume.") What is up with those sleeves? Why does the top look like a Chinese garment? THOSE SHOES ARENT JAPANESE EITHER. Your hips shouldn't be accentuated; your torso should be as straight as possible--that's why the obi and underlayers are thick.
AND DONT GET ME STARTED ON THE HAIR OR MAKEUP OR THAT SHITTY FAN.
This is a misrepresentation of the kimono, one of the symbols of Japanese culture that Japanese people hold highest. If you're going to wear a kimono, be respectful of the garment. Learn about the proper way to wear them. Do not rely solely on what anime characters wear. Research and wear it as it is intended.
Again, I am not Japanese so I am certainly not the most accredited source, but this is my opinion as someone who has lived in Japan for several years and greatly respects the culture.
EDIT: I made the mistake of looking at Google images for “kimono costume” and im so mad. Let me give you some quick “NEVER DO THIS EVER”s
NEVER EVER EVER EVER HAVE THE RIGHT SIDE FOLDED OVER THE LEFT. NEVER.
The right side is folded over the top in FUNERALS. Only the dead wear kimono with the right side over the top.
Is this why this woman’s face is glistening and white? Is she trying to imitate a corpse? If so, good job, this is accurate
This is called a “Classic Japan Kimono Costume” which
This is so insulting I don’t even know where to begin. We’ve got the right over the left. This woman is dead.
The shoulders should never be revealed.
If you wear this, I will show up at your door with a goddamn bamboo sword and beat you
This one is called “Sexy Japan Costume.”
I’m fairly certain this was made by one of those people that think China and Japan are the same place. I... I don’t even know where to begin.
good, except for the fact that SHE IS DEAD
NEVER PUT THE RIGHT ON TOP
I mean, damn, that’s a nice leg. But NO. The kimono is not meant to be a revealing outfit. This is insulting. and wtf is that tin foil obi.
Okay, sorry. I’m done triggering myself.
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