|
We have noted younger children wearing what looks like a Western skirted garment--the pinafore. The Japanese term is ピナフォア (pinafoa). This would have protected the garment, the same purpose as in the West. Japan was a poor courty and clothing was an expensive item for most families. Thus poor families in particular had to do what they could to prorect clothing. We are not entirely sure that this was a Western garment. It may have been worn before Japan's opening, but we have no confirmation of that. Our 19th century Japanese archive is very limited. As far as we can tell, the pinafore was only for younger children. At least those are the only examples we have found in the photographic record. It was not widely worn by older girls as in the West. And the pinafores we have seen are very plain, basic garments. We have not found the dressy, decorative pinafors as worn in the West for special occassioins. They look to be worn exclusively by pre-school children. We are mot sure if they were worn in the 19th century. We do see some examples in the early-20th centuyry. The boy here is s good example .at the turn-of-the 20th century (figure 1). We also notice a 1950s example, but that was the last example we have found.
Navigate the Boys' Historical Clothing Web Site:
[Return to the Main country pinafore page]
[Introduction]
[Activities]
[Biographies]
[Chronology]
[Clothing styles]
[Countries]
[Bibliographies]
[Contributions]
[Essays]
[FAQs]
[Glossaries]
[Images]
[Links]
[Registration]
[Tools]
[Boys' Clothing Home]
Navigate the Boys' Historical Clothing Japanese pages:
[Return to the Main Japanese skirted page]
[Return to the Main Japanese garment page]
[Japanese department store catalogs]
[Japanese school uniforms]
[Japanese choirs]
[Japanese monarchy]
[Japanese youth grops]
[Japanese recitals]
