JAPANESE KIMONO.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17171, 15 October 1923, Page 8

JAPANESE KIMONO.

Must Japanese women say “ Goodbye ” to the folds of the easy kimono, with all its associations and its colour schemes, and embrace the more utilitarian garments of the West ? This question is being widely discussed in the Japanese Press, and has attracted attention from foreigners, editors and Jajianese economists, not to mention the enthusiasts for Occidental clothes and others who contend for the kimono. Mrs P. A. F. Cabeldu, an American woman, and president of the Tokio Y.W.C.A., voicing the opinion of foreign women in Japan, believes that Japanese women should not scrap the kimono for Western clothes. Mrs Cabeldu is of the opinion that they ai 1 © not fitted, either physically or temperamentally, to wear Occidental garments. The rising generation of Japanese women, however, seem to heliove that it is time the curtain was rung dojwn on the kimono on the ground that foreign clothes are more economical, lighter and healthier. They state that the men of Japan exchanged the kimono for Western clothes because* these made them feel more active and better fit for work, and that the time has come when Japanese women want to feel the same way. The editor of the Tokio Asahi. Mr Sugimura, is sternly opposed to Occidental garments for Japanese women. Western clothes do not fit well on a Japanese woman's body.” he writes, “ and are an eyesore inviting scorn from others.” He even goes so far as to declare that, in his opinion, some change should he effected in the dre.se of the women of the Imperial Court, most of whom wear European or American clothes. The Empress and Princess Nagako Kuni, the bethrothed of the Prince Regent, prefer Western garments, and are always seen in these. Mr Sugimura’s plea is for such alterations in Occidental garb as will take into consideration the physiology of Japanese ' women, which he declares is feasible.