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©2009-2010 ~Fuyou-hime
:iconfuyou-hime:

Artist's Comments

Asagao, or Morning Glory, means 'Morning Face' in Japanese because it blooms every morning. It's a Summer flower, and is more heavily associated with the late Summer months like August and September.

I decided to place my Asagao-Hime in the Showa Period (1926-1989), in particular the 1970s. After Japan lost the war, kimono fell out of favor for a lot of different reasons. It wasn't until later in the 60s-70s that kimono started becoming popular to wear again, but only as formal clothing. Within the Showa Period, kimono went from everyday wear to formal wear, only worn once or twice a year. By this time, few women knew how to wear a kimono properly or comfortably. A whole generation of women didn't know what to do with their National Costume, and Kitsuke Shops (Kimono Dressing) popped up everywhere along with Kitsuke Schools. The designs on kimono changed, too. While the kimono of the previous era still followed seasonal and monthly trends, with bold statement-making designs, modern kimono generally had a plethora of small flowers from ever season and really had no general idea or statement in the design. The kimono of the 70s were meant to be worn year-round with a design that can function in any situation, and I personally dislike them. I think by making the formal kimono so functional, it lost it's appeal. I think the only women who wore kimono fashionably in the 70s were the Geisha, especially when they started wearing the delicate pastels and pale-on-pale ensembles. Kimono was also worn well by Kimono experts and followers of traditional pursuits like Tea Ceremony and Flower Arrangement. But for the vast majority, kimono largely weren't that fashionable in my opinion. Most women of the era looked much better in Yofuku, or Western Fashions. So, I designed my princess to be fashionable by the new standards, with henna-dyed hair worn in the loose 70s fashion.

The Morning Glory flower is a type of vine which grows rapidly over numerous surfaces (and when introduced to other ecosystems, generally becomes an invasive weed). So, when I considered this, I thought that to mimic that behavior in my princess (the growing and covering, not invasive part), I thought of a new mother, a woman who was so in love with her new child and still so unsure that she never let her child down. This fit in very well with a Shinto Ceremony called O-Miyamairi, in which 20 days after the child is born, s/he is brought to a Shinto Shrine while covered in a special kimono to be blessed. I think it all worked out rather well.

Hime Series-
Sakura Hime-[link]
Kiku Hime-[link]
Fuji Hime-[link]
Ajisai Hime-[link]
Botan Hime-[link]
Ayame Hime-[link]
Ume Hime- [link]
Tsubaki Hime- [link]
Kanran Hime- [link]

Comments


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:iconswmnyin:
I really love the stories behind your drawings. It really gives it that extra element. The drawing is very pretty and I love what you've done with the vines and morning glory. I also agree with you about the kimonos. It's a shame that some things start to fall out in order to make way for Western fashions. It's similar to my country also. Traditional clothes are only worn for special occasions which is a shame.

--
Member of *ArtisanCraft
Literature Tag Courtesy of =freaky665

“Be kind whenever possible.It is always possible.” -Dalai Lama
:iconfuyou-hime:
Thank you! I've been putting a lot of work into my Hime Series, and I'm looking forward to getting it started again.

It was always really sad to me that so many of the people I talked to in Japan didn't know how to wear kimono, and it was always funny that I knew more about it than they did. In the need to appear modern, Japan lost a lot of it's traditional culture, and I think it's sad now to see how disconnected many of the Japanese people are with their heritage.

--
Ichigo Ichie
One time, one meeting
:iconswmnyin:
Mhmm. I tend to see that quite a bit with many cultures. Everyone is so desperate to blend in with Western culture, that they just phase out their own culture almost completely.

--
Member of *ArtisanCraft
Literature Tag Courtesy of =freaky665

“Be kind whenever possible.It is always possible.” -Dalai Lama
:iconfuyou-hime:
I see it a lot, too, and I think it depends on how much the culture in question wanted to ingratiate itself to Western culture. During the Meiji Period, Japan didn't want to be colonized the way China was, so they did everything they could to modernize quickly, and a lot of things that we consider iconic to Japanese culture like kimono and tea ceremony were actively disdained because the Japanese were afraid they would make Western cultures think that Japan was 'backwards'. Now over a century later, Japan along with a bunch of other cultures is paying the price for it :(.

--
Ichigo Ichie
One time, one meeting
:iconswmnyin:
Mhmm. That is a very accurate depiction of what has taken place.

Btw, I keep forgetting to ask you, do you live in Japan? Are you majoring in Japanese culture and there for a long haul? I'm so curious, because not only are you highly educated about their culture and customs, but it doesn't seem like you're leaving any time soon. :)

--
Member of *ArtisanCraft
Literature Tag Courtesy of =freaky665

“Be kind whenever possible.It is always possible.” -Dalai Lama
:iconfuyou-hime:
Actually, I was in Japan for my year abroad (studying cross-cultural psychology), but my year has finished and I'm back in the States now. It's a sad state to be in (no pun intended), and I'm already thinking of ways I can go back to Japan. I'm not sure if I would ever move there permanently though, as I definitely wouldn't want to live by myself in another country. It would depend on if I would be going with someone, I guess.

--
Ichigo Ichie
One time, one meeting
:iconswmnyin:
Oh, wow. That's really neat. I'm sure it must have been the experience of a lifetime. I've always wanted to go and had a couple of chances to via my sensei (when I was taking Japanese), but just didn't have the money. :(

Aw, I'm sure it must be very different after you immersed yourself in Japan for that long. I can totally understand that. I've definitely wanted to stay in different places for a long period of time, although I agree, I would want to have someone else with me. :D

--
Member of *ArtisanCraft
Literature Tag Courtesy of =freaky665

“Be kind whenever possible.It is always possible.” -Dalai Lama
:iconfuyou-hime:
I really loved my stay in Japan, but it was tough, and I wouldn't want to do it alone. It can be a really isolating experience, so I would definitely want someone there with me if I were to make a permanent move.

I'm sure you'll get your chance to go one day :). I'm hoping I get my chance to return soon, but it's looking like I won't be able to go back for a while.

--
Ichigo Ichie
One time, one meeting
(1 Reply)
:icontakara-dono:
wow. this one is great. you've always had a knack for style and beautiful coloring. I think the design is lovely^_^
:iconfuyou-hime:
Thank you! Coloring is always my favorite, so I'm glad it came out so well.

--
Ichigo Ichie
One time, one meeting

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January 29, 2009
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NIKON
COOLPIX L18
1/91 second
F/2.8
6 mm
800
Jan 29, 2009, 8:03:55 PM

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