Figure 1.--Here we see a primary school boy wearing the cadet uniform style. It was most common at secondary schools, but worn at a few primary schools as well. Notice the brass buttons.

There are two basic school uniform styles used at Japanese scools: military and civilian styles. The military style was a Prussian cadet style adopted in the late 19th century when Japan first began building a modern eductionl system. Sailor outfits based on Royal Navy styles were adopted for girls, but educating girls was not initually a priority. Until after Word War II we have also seen boys wering what looks like Japanese army uniforms. The Prussian cadet uniforms were done with some differences as to detail, concerning the collar, buttons, and other features. The basic style was very similar. Therewere also cadet style caps. We also note a variety of civilian styles. The basic style at many schools was a white shirt and blue short pants, especially during the summer. Usually the children wear open collars and not ties. We also notice schools with British style blazers, although not the variety of colors found in Britain. Some schools had suits, usually grey or blue. Some schools wear suit jackets with ties while others have open collars. Some schools had matching caps or hats to go with the uniforms. In other cases the headwear did not match.

Military Types

The military style was a Prussian cadet style adopted in the late 19th century when Japan first began building a modern eductionl system. Sailor outfits based on Royal Navy styles were adopted for girls, but educating girls was not initually a priority, especially in the pre-World War II era. Until after Word War II we have also seen boys wering what looks like Japanese army uniforms. This seems to have been very common, but disappeared after World War II. The Prussian cadet uniforms, however, continued to be used, especially at secondary schools, both intermediate chools and high schools. We do not notice them very commonly at primary schiils, but there were some primry schools that did use them. They were also used at some private schools. The Prussian cadet uniforms were done with some differences as to detail, concerning the collar, buttons, and other features. Most jackts had shiny brass buttons, but some jackets were done with black buttons. The basic style was very similar. The girls sailor outfits were also basically the same, but had many stylistic differences. There were also cadet style caps. The caps were mostly black, but we have noted some white ones. The girls wore a variety of hats with their sailor outfits.

Civilian Types

We also note a variety of civilian styles. The basic style at many schools was a white shirt and blue short pants, especially during the summer. Usually the children wear open collars and not ties. We also notice schools with British style blazers, although not the variety of colors found in Britain. Some schools had suits, usually grey or blue. Some schools wear suit jackets with ties while others have open collars. Some schools had matching caps or hats to go with the uniforms. In other cases the headwear did not match.

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Created: 11:18 PM 9/2/2006
Last updated: 9:48 PM 9/8/2006