Sartorial Japonisme and the Experience of Kimonos in Britain, 1865-1914

Posted: November 25th, 2023 | No Comments »

Arisa Yamaguchi’s Sartorial Japonisme and the Experience of Kimonos in Britain, 1865-1914 (Routledge) is an interesting counterpart to much you’ll find on this blog about the influence of Chinoiserie….

Using interdisciplinary research and critical analysis, this book examines experiences through (or with) kimonos in Britain during the late Victorian and Edwardian periods.

Bringing new perspectives to challenge the existing model of ‘Japonisme in fashion’ and introducing overlooked contacts between kimonos and people, this book explores not only fine arts and department stores but also a variety of theatres and cheap postcards. Putting a particular focus on the responses and reactions elicited by kimonos in visual, textual and material forms, this book initiates an entirely new discussion on the British adoption of Japanese kimonos beyond the monolithic view of the relationship between the East and West.

Arisa Yamaguchi is Assistant Professor at University of Tsukuba, Japan.

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