Figure 1.--Here we see a view of a Japanese primary school in the early 1900s. This looks like a city school. Notice the boys wears traditional clothes except for caps. We are not sure hiw the children found their own sandals after school. Perhaps they were marked.

Japan had by the the turn of the-20th cenbtury creared a substantial public education system, mostly a primary system. After the turn-of-the 20th century Japan began expanding the secondary system, at first mostly for boys. And in these schools they introduced uniforms, cadet schools for boys and sailor outfits for the girls. Only after World War I in the 1920s do we see large numbers of children wearing Western -styled clothes. Gradually the primary children also began wearing unifirms. After Workd War II, the primary schools no longer had mandated uniforms. Private schools mostly continued to have uniforms. Some of thhe state schools over time began adopting basic uniforms. White shirts and blue short pants were common. Most primary schools, perhaps two thirds did not. The children began wearing Western styled clothes. Headwear became more commin foir school children tha n in the West. The boys commonly wore collared shirts and short pants. Thev girls wire dresses. The secondary schools continued to have uniforms, mostly the pre-War cadey styles and sailor outfits.

Early 20th Century (1900-45)

Free compulsory education was introduced in 1900, and in 1908 it was extended to a period of 6 years. Our information on school clothing and uniforms during the early 20th century is still very limited. Japan in the 1920s began to be increasingly dominated by the military. We are not yet sure to what extent this was redlected in school uniforms. After the turn of the century we see boys at some primary schools repacing knee pants with longish shorts and long stockings with knee socks. There appear to be substantial differences between rural and urban schools. We are unsure to what extent schools had dress codes and uniforms. These clothing changes may simply reflect overall fashion shifts. Many primary schools adopted uniform that was less overtly military--usually lapelless jackets, shorts, and broad white collar. One common feature was often a military-styled cap. Secondary education was also expanded, although it was still not free. Uniforms continued to be the same Prussian cadet uniforms and English middy blouses. The growing power of the Japanese military was clearly evident in Japanese schools. It was not just the uniforms. The ethos of the warrior was extolled throughout the curriculm. Military drill was employed and expanded for the older boys.

Figure 2.--Some Junior high schools in the 1970s required short oants uniforms, but most by the 1980s had switched to long pants uniforms. This is the winter uniform at a junior high school. The boys wear blue short pants uniforms with white socks and shoes.

Post-war Era (1945-90)

Japan after World War II intoduced compulsory education in 1947. School is compulsory for a 9-year period, beginning at the age of six. Fashions changed after the war for primary school children. Many primary schools dropped uniform rquirements and those that did, with only a few exceptions, introduced civilian styles. Almost all primary schools adopting uniforms adopted short pants uniforms, usually with quite short shorts. Although Japan had been defeated and occupied by the Americans, Japanese mothers and school administrators appra to have turned to Europe, seemingly France or Italy for inspiration in boys' fashions. Junior high schools were created as part of the educational reforms. Many but not all adopted military styled uniforms. Some of the boys wore shorts. At some junior highs boys wore shorts, but this was not always a requirement. Shorts were worn at junior higghs through the 1970s, but most junior highs had switched to long pants by the 1970s. Most senior high schools continued the Prussian cadet uniform which survived as the primary style through the 1980s. A few senior highs by the 1980s began experimenting with civilian styles--usually English-style blazers and slacks.

Late-20th Century (1990-2000)

Major changes occureed during this relatively brief period. Some primary schools dropped the uniform requirement. Many primary schools which retained uniforms adopted the longer style of short pants, although some schools still retained the short shorts. A few schools have retained the more traditional shorter short pants. This is especially common at private schools. Boys at schools without uniforms commonly wore shorts in the warmer months--mostly long baggy shorts. Most boys at these schools wore long pants in the winter. While most primary schools do not have uniforms, almost all junior and senior high schools do require uniforms. HBC has less information on junior high schools, but a few senior high schools dispensed with the military uniform styles and adopted a new English-style blazer and slacks.

Sources

Aramaki, Sōhei. 2000. “Kyōiku Kikai no Kakusa wa Shukushō Shitaka: Kyōikukankyō no Henka to Shusshin Kaisōkan Kakusa” in Hiroyuki Kondō, ed. Sengo Nihon no Kyōiku Shakai (Tokyo: Tokyo Daigaku Shuppankai, 2000), pp. 15-35.

Ishikida, Miki Y. Japanese Education in the 21st Century (Universe: June 2005).

Harada, Taneo and Masato Tokuyama. Eds. Shogakkō ni Miru Senzen Sengo no Kyōkasho Hikaku (Tokyo: Gyōsei, 1988).

Okado, Masakatsu. Minshū no Kyōiku Keiken (Tokyo: Aoki Shoten, 2000).

Osaki, Hiroshi. Daigaku Kaikaku 1945-1999 (Tokyo: Yūhikaku, 1999).

Takano, Yoshihiro. Seinen Gakkōshi (Tokyo: Sanichi Shobō: 1992).

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Created: 9:50 PM 9/2/2011
Last updated: 9:14 AM 10/12/2020