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
Here's grist for another cross-cultural comparison
ReplyDeletehttp://scienceblogs.com/primatediaries/2009/11/reciprocity_and_the_anthropolo.php
http://www.xkcd.com/659/
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.
ReplyDelete(That doesn't necessarily mean there isn't something in it though.)
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?
ReplyDeleteHow are little boys dressed?
ReplyDeleteguthrie:
ReplyDeleteBeing a salaryman is the default life option.
steve:
That's a little boy in the photo.
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?
ReplyDeleteSteve:
ReplyDeleteI 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.
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 :-)
ReplyDeletethen 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...
Poorly fitting menswear in pink is still poorly fitting menswear.
ReplyDeleteI do believe I've seen that very talent on TV. He does seem a little old for the look.
ReplyDelete