Tuesday, November 10, 2009

[jules' pics] 11/09/2009 07:39:00 PM


shichi-go-san 七五三, originally uploaded by julesberry2001.

When the family dresses up kimono-stylee, the salaryman remains attired the same apart from his accessories; his briefcase always becomes a camera, and in extreme circumstances, such as shown in this picture, he may adopt a more brightly coloured tie. It is really quite odd, because there does exist traditional kimono-stylee wear for men.

[Early 7-5-3 celebrants at Hachimangu, Kamakura]



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Posted By jules to jules' pics at 11/09/2009 07:39:00 PM

10 comments:

Hank Roberts said...

Here's grist for another cross-cultural comparison

http://scienceblogs.com/primatediaries/2009/11/reciprocity_and_the_anthropolo.php

http://www.xkcd.com/659/

James Annan said...

Interesting, but sounds like a bit of a just-so story. If the Japanese were so averse to receiving unilateral gifts, they wouldn't fly abroad in droves to get transplants outside the reach of the notoriously hidebound and reactionary Japanese parliament.

(That doesn't necessarily mean there isn't something in it though.)

guthrie said...

Hmmm, does that suggest that the salary man suit is a desirable sign of their social status and to be prefered over the more anonymous (Yet perfectly presentable and dark coloured) outfit in the other photo?

Steve Bloom said...

How are little boys dressed?

jules said...

guthrie:
Being a salaryman is the default life option.

steve:
That's a little boy in the photo.

Steve Bloom said...

Sorry, didn't look close enough. I suppose a girl wouldn't retain a unisex hair style while wearing a kimono. Is the long jacket an obvious giveaway for male attire, and when do the boys graduate to jr. salaryman costumes?

jules said...

Steve:
I think the 7-5-3 festival proper is this weekend so I may yet post a photo which answers some of your questions.

As for graduation to salaryman attire, I don't know. All I have noticed is: little boys are well turned out clean, cute little tots; young men pay so much attention to their looks that sometimes I genuinely mistake those rarely seen outwardly affectionate couples for lesbians; and then they turn into suits and gradually lose all sense of style.

James Annan said...

Adding to that, such ceremonial wear is fairly rare, but the females often wear kimono for coming-of-age day (age 20), whereas the males are generally in suits by then, or maybe just dressed casually. So, the swap is probably some time between 5 and 20 then :-)

then they turn into suits and gradually lose all sense of style

Of course, there are exceptions, like the "talents" who keep the bouffant hairstyles and pink shirts well into middle age...mentioning no names...

jules said...

Poorly fitting menswear in pink is still poorly fitting menswear.

Steve Bloom said...

I do believe I've seen that very talent on TV. He does seem a little old for the look.