What's it like to wear the junihitoe? | Japanese history, culture, and kodan

What did aristocratic ladies of the Heian Period, like Murasaki Shikibu, wear around court?

In a previous episode, we talked about what Heian Period ladies were expected to do for work in the Inner Court Offices, but what would they have been wearing to work, for rituals, during their leisure? I enjoy not only studying history, but also experiencing it for real.

For this video, I had the great opportunity to go to Kyoto and talk to the members of the Heian Shozoku Kocho-no-kai, a group whose members practice putting on traditional clothing. I also consulted with traditional fashion author, Takashima Katsuko-san on the different types of aristocratic dress, and I will share my research from her new book, 「平安ファッションの世界」.

「イラストでみる　平安ファッションの世界　皇族・貴族から武士・庶民まで」
高島克子作　有隣堂出版　ISBN 978-4-89660-246-3

Thank you to the members 平安装束胡蝶の会: Takasuga-san, Asagi-san, Sato Tomoko-san, and Mishima Yuko-san.

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Video time stamps (for those that want to skip the history...)
00:00 Today's topic is...
01:16 This is what Heian ladies wore
02:09 Where does the junihitoe come from?
02:51 When does the fashion change?
04:43 What was the fashion in late Heian?
06:16 Trying on the Nyobo Shozoku
09:57 Moving in the junihitoe
11:16 Sitting in the junihitoe
12:10 The ultimate important question
13:03 Taking it off
13:39 Final thoughts
14:03 A beautiful piece of art from Mishima-san
15:08 Thank you to the Heian Shozoku Kocho no Kai and author Takashima Katsuko-san
15:40 Thank you for watching! Stay tuned for part 2: aristocratic men!