Timeless Colors - A Kimono from The Tale of Genji

web-japan.org
In The Tale of Genji, the world's oldest novel, Murasaki Shikibu wrote about the romances of court nobles in early 11th century Kyoto. This much loved work is still widely read today. In a five-year project, a university team recreated the kimono worn by one of the characters, the lady Akashi no Kimi. A traditional Kyoto dyer reproduced the subtly shaded colors that reflect a distinctive Japanese sense of beauty, using historically accurate natural dyes.
#JapanVideoTopics #TheTaleOfGenji #Kimono #History #Japan

[@zcvxs]

Soo beautiful

[@sterlinglewis5700]

It is wonderful to see this kimono recreated. In the book, lady Murasaki Shikibu detailed many aspects of court dress and etiquette. She showed how dress changes as the seasons progress, and also how the styles of kimono change with coming of age, one's rank in the court, and what colours could be worn by which ranks. It also appears that "style" could and did change with the times, so we are not so different! I would love to see recreations of Genji's apparel, and that of his retainers, at the various stages of his life.

[@ProperlyParanoid]

It's easy to fall into the mistake of seeing all traditional Japanese culture as a one big whole, when of course it changed in time and Heian era culture was it's own distinct thing, very ancient, very different from typical old-timey Japan you may imagine from the movies or stereotypes. Lady Murasaki and her invented characters never tasted sushi, never met a geisha, never composed a haiku, didn't have a concept of bushido, never had a tea ceremony, never saw a kabuki play, never saw an ukiyo-e print, because all those things were not invented yet, any more than rocket ships were.

[@barrymoore4470]

And for those very reasons, the world of the Heian court might seem as remote and exotic to a modern Japanese person as it is to a Westerner. I understand that even the language in which the 'Tale of Genji' is composed has to be rendered into a modern idiom for present-day Japanese readers without specialist training to fully understand it.

[@mimimoneymachine]

another thing, when we see these edo period movies and shows we have the general idea that the shogunate was the real power behind the country and we always think of shoguns as japanese rulers, whereas emperors just had nice titles with barely any power and influence, whereas in this era where chinese influence was just starting to decrease and change uniquely to japanese, the emperor was the real power. She would have never even knew what a shogun was, because it didn’t exist.

[@along5925]

Very interesting comment. Thank you!

[@may-ky6jl]

Kōdō (香道, "Way of Fragrance") is the art of appreciating Japanese incense, and involves using incense within a structure of codified. A 31‐syllable Japanese poem is still enjoyed during the new year . Also Heian period sweets are popular.

[@JS-ih7lu]

Back then, Japan just freshly copied the culture, language and system of governance from Tang dynasty China. Even their “incense culture” was directly lifted from China. “A Tale of Genji” was Japan’s first attempt at writing a book without strictly using the Chinese script, because “hiragana” was considered informal and a script used mostly by women at the time 😂

[@markbeck8384]

Fascinating. I admire the artists who can create such beautiful garments. I am from the United States, but Tale of Genji is my all-time favorite book. To me, the appreciation of Nature, and the complete dedication to forms of Beauty in the Court are the most impressive things, (although I like the Romance and Intrigue too). It must have been a small, elegant World for a privileged group of people. I wonder if it was stifling with all its rules and hierarchy? Good for the men, not so good for the women? I certainly like her characters. I'm glad it is remembered.

[@barrymoore4470]

Living in the Heian court must have been like walking a tightrope, with all the minute attention to proper dress, comportment, conversation, and quick-wittedness. I would not fare well in such a cultural setting, though it is beautiful to see and contemplate its heritage.

[@JBaxter-pi8oj]

What an exquisite work of art! The patience to create those subtle gradations of green and the ingenuity of using plant dyes to be kinder to the environment, indicate such thoughtfulness and value for this wearable work of art. Thank you for sharing this. Best wishes!

[@amaraoneill3347]

Greens, from dark forest to light lime with purples and a strong orange! Genius that they are brought together and compliment each other in such a gentle, harmonious way.

[@nadia-i1l5h]

So exquisite

[@nunyabiznes4471]

What a stunningly beautiful and mesmerizing video! Subscribed❤️🙂

[@harrykekgmail]

wow! what a wonderful look into the beauty and charm of ancient Japan through its kimono by its nobility

[@marsbearmcw3050]

This is fantastic. Slightly crazy. 5 years? Still, very commendable.

[@justineczarnobyl9987]

Soooo cool! I prefer modern way of wearing kimono, but this one certainly looks amazing

[@MarcelaChandía]

I just received the book of Yoshioka Sarasa san!!! 😍

[@TerressaZook]

Wonderful ❣️

[@FGBFGB-vt7tc]

This narrator usually voices NHK's Japanology programs. There is a big chance this comes from a longer program. Would it be possible to have the reference, or even better, links to the entire program?

[@dipanwitadasgupta5221]

So ❤❤❤

[@sweetlorikeet]

What was the colour combination worn by Lady Akashi no Kimi called? The combinations all had beautifully poetic names if I recall correctly

[@春夏秋冬-s6v]

日本語で「かさね色」で検索すれば色々なのが出てきます 日本語での説明だけかとは思いますが 目を楽しませてくれるかと思います

[@yah501]

Background music is too noisy and loud ! It is difficult to hear the narration.

[@mm-yt8sf]

i looks warm in the winter, but.... i hope they didn't have to wear that in the summer...

[@barrymoore4470]

Robes would be layered according to season, with fewer garments worn in warmer weather, except perhaps for ceremonial occasions.

[@mimimoneymachine]

less layers were worn in summer, and the reason we think this would be sweaty is because we wear polyester, a fabric made of plastic that is not breathable, japanese people used silk, which was breathable, these layers would not change the core temperature of the wearers body as drastically as we think

[@JS-ih7lu]

@@mimimoneymachineYeah right, as if the average Japanese person could afford to wear silk back then when they struggled to even feed themselves 😂

[@downundabrotha]

All that work for the Green to be hidden underneath 😅

[@sonievkay]

not exactly hidden. each layer peaks through to blend in with the next, that was the point.

[@mimimoneymachine]

firstly, the green would’ve peeked through, considered refined, beautiful, and slightly erotic, secondly, these were palace ladies, the richest of the entire county, and this is a normal practice of living lavishly and extravagantly, even having expensive linings in their clothes, why? they were rich, why not?

[@MrYougotcaught]

very han chinese related