Film and Fashion in Japan, 1923-39: Consuming the 'West'

The book explores the interaction between Japan's film and fashion industries and Western-inspired fashion objects between 1923 and 1939, using semiotics and historical and gender-based approaches. It examines the role of fashion consumption in defining modern identities and their relationships with new spaces, focusing on the expressive Modern Girl image, the relationship between the body and sportswear, and menswear in Ozu Yasujirō's early work.

Format: Hardback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 31 August 2023
Publisher: Edinburgh University Press

The book delves into the intricate relationship between the Japanese film and fashion industries and the audience during the period between 1923 and 1939, with a particular focus on Western-inspired fashion objects rather than indigenous Japanese items like the kimono. This interdisciplinary study explores the semiotics of dress onscreen within Japan's transcultural media landscape, drawing from film- and fashion-related theoretical frameworks as well as historical and gender-based perspectives. By examining surviving films, print media, and advertising materials, the book offers valuable insights into lost films and the commercial context of the era. It delves into the role of fashion consumption in shaping emerging modern identities and their connections with new spaces, examining their emergence in Japan and their global impact. Key areas of exploration include the expressive Modern Girl image, the interplay between the body and sportswear, and the hybridized dress styles that blended Japanese and Western-influenced aesthetics. Additionally, the book explores the role of menswear in the early works of director Ozu Yasujirō, shedding light on the evolving fashion trends and styles of the time.

Dimension: 244 x 170 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781474497701