The Asian Mystique by Sheridan Prasso

Author:Sheridan Prasso [Prasso, Sheridan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780786736324
Publisher: PublicAffairs

A modest attempt to experience the kimono and its role in Japanese feminity.

No wonder Miss Universe Japan had decided to forgo wearing a traditional kimono, I realized. Every year for forty-nine years, the Miss Universe contestants from Japan have walked out on stage bound in kimono and taking little tiny steps. The June 2003 Miss Universe Japan contestant, Miyako Miyazaki, decided to make a bolder impression on the judges. She dressed as a ninja—Japan’s celebrated stealth warriors—backing out onto the stage hooded; then she tossed off her hood, swung around, and slashed at the judges with a sword. When I met her in Tokyo, she acted out the movements for me and explained her decision. Taking tiny steps in a kimono did not represent her strong disposition, Miyako said. She is athletic and wanted to use her body to make more of an impression.

People outside Japan don’t understand how nice a kimono it is, or how expensive the fabric. For them, it is just kimono. It is a beautiful, gentle image. I’m not saying the traditional image is wrong. But little by little, I hope that people overseas will realize that there are different aspects to Japanese women. I like wearing kimono. It’s difficult to do. But basically I wanted to demonstrate different aspects of womanhood, showing more movement, the parts which are more powerful, not just women being beautiful, but that there is strength and toughness inside.

Miyako must have made an impression on the judges. She came in fourth.

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