Times and Fashion – stage costumes

The 1920s

What was the fashion of this era?

The Taisho Democracy in the 1920s, which was from the mid Taisho era until the early Showa period, triggered an increase in power of commoners.

During the first half of the era, western clothes were still limited to the upper-class, such as bureaucrats and nobility.  When the Great Kanto earthquake, many people who wore Japanese clothes were not able to escape on time.   This advanced the spread of western clothes and the fashion called “Moga-Mobo” (Modern girl and Modern boy) became popular among the trend-conscious youth.

What did Japanese entertainers of this era wear?

Although foreign cultures were gradually assimilated into Japan, the dominant comedy in the entertainment world was “Rakugo”.  It was normal that the costume worn was a kimono and hakama (men’s skirt) that bore the family crest.  It took a little more time for western clothes to be used on stage.

A Haori (coat) that was worn by the first KATSURA Harudanji, a very popular Rakugo performer both on-stage and off, is exhibited here.

The 1930s

What was the fashion of this era?

The Hankyu Department Store opened in Umeda in 1929. In 1930, a time when war would start because of the the Manchurian Incident, a group of middle class people in the working class, called white-collars, began to increase. Suits prevailed for office wear. Compared to the classic silhouette of the 1920s, the stylish silhouette of suits became more popular. This new style was called “Showa Modern”.

What did Japanese entertainers of this era wear??

Until that time, a passing moment of peace before the war, it was natural to wear a kimono and hakama that bore the family crest for stage performances. More and more foreign cultures were absorbed and a fusion of East and West began to be seen more often. YOKOYAMA Entatsu and HANABISHI Achako, as pioneers of this fusion, marked a milestone by wearing western clothes on stage. Their influence widely spread in Japan.

in the 1940s

What was the fashion of this era?

The war worsened and the National Uniform Edict was issued in 1940.  Regulation of fashion by the Japanese government became stronger and a national uniform was encouraged.  Even entertainers who comfort people wore monpe (slacks), leggings, or military clothes. Right after the war, many people continued wearing the national uniform, but American culture entered with the coming of the Allied Occupation forces and American fashion, such as aloha shirts and boaters, started to influence the citizens, especially young generation.

What did Japanese entertainers of this era wear??

The war had a considerable impact in the entertainment industry. Stages for comedy decreased and comforting soldiers in the battle field became the role of entertainers. Entertainers who went to comfort soldiers in the battlefield were encouraged to wear “clothes that remember Japan”, so they wore Japanese-style clothing other than military clothes.

in the 1950s

What was the fashion of this era?

The 1950s started with the saying “It’s no longer postwar”. TV broadcasting began and movies took the place of radio. The fashion of this era were the Taiyozoku Fashion typified by ISHIHARA Yujiro, flared skirts that were called the New Look in Europe, and fashion influenced by foreign films and fashion magazines.

What did Japanese entertainers of this era wear??

The Entertainment industry in Kansai gradually became active again and one area they were active in was the TV and film world. The appearance of entertainers came to be observed by more people since they performed not only on the stages but also in the films. So they began to choose respectable clothes for their stage costume, which also makes this era a time that showed the actual change in generation and change of the times.

The 1960s

What was the fashion of this era?

The 1960s was a period of high growth for Japan.  Color televisions became available and the Olympics was held in Tokyo. Office workers called workaholic employees emerged and women office workers called office ladies also increased.  With the appearance of Twiggy,  the mini skirt boomed and colorful clothes increased.  It was a time when women took a lead in fashion.

What did Japanese entertainers of this era wear??

The spread of TV into dining rooms strongly influenced entertainment world and its costumes. Just as TV became common, it was said that clothes were a means of communication with the viewers. so a symbolic simplicity was required.

Kigeki actor, FUJIYAMA Kanbi’s clothes when he was an apprentice are exhibited here. The clothes clearly show the character of the role being played.

The 1970s

What was the fashion of this era?

With the entry of the 1970s, ready-to-wear clothes called pret-a-porter took the place of custom clothes as the mainstream fashion. On the other hand, the hippie culture, which opposed the Vietnam war, was born from the back-to-nature movement triggered by the oil shock of 1973. Long hair, jeans and flared skirts became trendy. In the overseas music scene, rock stars with heavy make-up and elaborate hair styles, such as David Bowie and Queen, were born, giving rise to a more colorful fashion.

What did Japanese entertainers of this era wear??

“Chaos” represented the stage clothes of this era. There were Manzai-shi (Japanese stand-up comedians) who wore double-breasted suits and some who wore suits with bow ties, like foreign entertainers.Others chose casual wear such as sweatshirts for their stage costume. Rakugo storytellers appeared in sporty clothes on TV.  Yoshimoto Shin Kigeki – Yoshimoto New Comedy in its second golden period instilled in people an image of ordinary citizens with its stage clothes.

The 1980s

What was the fashion of this era?

In the early 1980s, from traditional style to Boat House and JUN sweatshirts popular in Japan. The Takenoko-zoku (bamboo shoot kids), sprang up in Harajuku and many characteristic DC Brands (designer and characters brands) became increasingly popular. After the economic bubble started in 1986, the one length haircut and tight-fitting clothes became fashionable from the influence of trendy television dramas casted by Double Asano.

What did Japanese entertainers of this era wear??

The early 80s also marked the occurrence of the “Manzai Boom”, which was commemorable for the entertainment world. Costumes of the Manzai-shi became flamboyant, reflecting the personalities of comic duos. Of course, suits were dominant, but B&B’s sweatshirts, overalls of SHIMADA Shinsuke & MATSUMOTO Ryusuke, Haute couture of IMA Ikuyo & Kuruyo, and hats of WAKAI Kozue & Midori were outstanding. You can see such unique design costumes here. Feel momentum of the comedy in this age through the costumes.

The 1990s

What was the fashion of this era?

Following the bubble-burst in 1991, gorgeous fashion converged and the casual style in Shibuya district called Shibukaji became popular. Street fashion emerged and Ura-harajuku – Harajuku Back Street – became a source of trend. Casual logo T-shirts and checkered shirts became fashionable. A”Gal” culture called “Kogal” was born in Shibuya. AMURO Namie became their charismatic gal, and platform shoes, mini-skirts and brown hair became popular.

What did Japanese entertainers of this era wear??

While stage costumes became casual, many comedians thought that they should wear their best clothes on the stage. However, there were many young entertainers who performed in small theaters, including the ones in Shinsaibashisuji 2-chome, who wore improved casual wears for their stage costume, perhaps because of economic reasons. Please enjoy looking at the comedians wearing embarrassing stage costumes of the day.

The 2000s

What was the fashion of this era?

Entering into the period of low growth, fashion also became conservative in the 2000s. However, with the IT bubble in Heisei era represented by Hills Zoku (IT rich tribes in Roppongi Hills), attractive and cute fashion, called Motekei led by Ebi-chan (EBIHARA Yuri) and Moe-chan (OSHIKIRI Moe), became very popular. Charismatic hairstylists emerged, which led the fashion trend into hairstyling. After H&M opened in Ginza in 2008, Fast Fashion has widely spread in Japan.

What did Japanese entertainers of this era wear??

Many entertainers made good use of low-priced fast fashion for their stage costumes, using street fashion magazines and websites as a reference. Furthermore, stylists came to choose what the performers wear and they became more fashionable. You can see dress shirt of NONSTYLE, and the overly original wear of Razor Ramon HG.

The 2010s

What was the fashion of this era?

SNS represented by Instagram has become more influential than fashion magazines. There is a shift in fashion preferences from group to individual. People choose clothes based not on the trend but on what they want to wear. In 2014, a fashion trend appeared called normcore, characterized by simple, basic clothing.  A super unique fashion that included costume play also became popular. Barriers of gender were lifted, which boosted gender-free fashion.

What did Japanese entertainers of this era wear??

The Kamigata Manzai Association was founded and suits became dominant again as stage clothes of young Manzai-shi. By making slight improvisations, such as using a variation of fabric and designs, they are able to impress character and visual impact (like costume play). M-1 winner Ginshari’s bright blue suits and the costume of INAGAKI Saki, who dressed up as an animation character, are exhibited here.