Figure 1.--Some Japanese secondary schools have changed from the old Prussian cadet uniform and sailor suit styles. Here is one of the modern styles of uniform that is being adopted. This is the uniform at the Anjo Gakuen High School.
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Figure 1.--Some Japanese secondary schools have changed from the old Prussian cadet uniform and sailor suit styles. Here is one of the modern styles of uniform that is being adopted. This is the uniform at the Anjo Gakuen High School. |
Everything changes for Japanese children when they leave elementary school. Discipline at elementary schools is strict, but there is less formality and a closer personal bond withe teacher. The secondary schools are larger and much more inpersonal. The secondry schools are more strict and heavy amounts of homework are given. One of the changes is the uniforms. Virtually all secondary schools, both junior high and senior high schools require uniforms. Japanese boys in secondary schools, both intermediate/junior high schools have traditionally worn military style jackets and caps. The uniform looks quite standard all over the country, but this is probably because there are only a few manufacturers. It is an army-like uniform. The girls wear sailor suits, middy blouses and skirts. There are quite a few minor stylistic details in the middy blouses, but the use of the sailor suit is quite common. In recent years a few secondary schools have begun to reassess the uniform. They have replaced the military/sailor styles with more-British-looking blazer and pants/skirts. This process is just beginning, but will likely become the principal style for secondary uniforms after the turn of the century. Japan is a very traditional society, however, and such a major change will take place at a very slow pace.
Everything changes for Japanese children when they leave elementary school. Discipline at elementary schools is strict, but there is less formality and a closer personal bond withe teacher. The secondary schools are larger and much more inpersonal. The secondry schools are more strict and heavy amounts of homework are given. One of the changes is the uniforms.
Virtually all secondary schools, both junior high and senior high schools require uniforms.
Japanese boys in secondary schools, both intermediate/junior high schools have traditionally worn military style jackets and caps. The uniform looks quite standard all over the country, but this is probably because there are only a few manufacturers. There are some differences. It is an army-like uniform. The girls wear sailor suits, middy blouses and skirts. Even more ifferebces exist in the compasrable sailor suits worn by the girls. There are quite a few minor stylistic details in the middy blouses, but the use of the sailor suit is quite common. I don't know why a military style uniform became common for the boys and a sailor suit for girls. The Menji reforms which began the modernization of modern Japan included educational reforms which created for the first time a modern school system. The chose a Prussian cadet uniform for the boys. Because they also admired Britain, especiaslly the Royal Navy, a sailor outfit was chosen for the girls. Of course at the time, British girls were ot wearing sailor outfits as school uniforms. There are now other styles that are worn in secondary schools, but the traditional styles are still by a large margin the most common styles at Japanese secondary schools.
In recent years a few secondary schools have begun to reassess the uniform. They have replaced the military/sailor styles with more-British-looking blazer and pants/skirts. This process is just beginning, but will likely become the principal style for secondary uniforms after the turn of the century. Japan is a very traditional society, however, and such a major change will take place at a very slow pace. Sweaters and knit vests have become common for both boys and girls. They come in many colors, but the most common seem to be navy blue and white or pale yellow. Notice the boy wearing plaid slacks (figure 1). Often when the girls' wear a patterened skirt, the boys wear pants in the same pattern, though often more muted. While plaid and checked skirts are very common for girls' uniform skirts in America, I don't think I've ever seen a boys' uniform with patterned pants.
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