Kawaii in Japanese Culture

A common word which is often used by anime them, manga, or Japanese fashion fans is "kawaii". For those who are unfamiliar, it generally means Mignon, but can sometimes refer to luxury or expensive. Although the term usually refers to Japanese products cute or characters, it has gained in popularity so much so, that it has become a common way to describe something cute regardless of origin.

Including the happy faces and with displays of cute characters of the comic strip but large eyes, food may seem out of the ordinary for many outside of Asia, it is just a part of culture Japanese cute and is well accepted among other Asian countries. So how full is kawaii in Japanese culture? Just walk through the streets of the Japan or the view from magazines and newspapers, and you'll see how big the range is really.

Companies, organizations, cities, police stations and more, the Japan, they are required to have a cute as the mascot character. Not only that, but good number of these characters, especially those belonging to a large company or organization, are given a story and a personality. Take for example, the Sony mascot, a white cat named Toro. Toro is not just a mascot without a soul, he or she has a birthday, like certain foods, had dislikes and has the desire to become human.

Many of these mascots are super design style distorted, which is typical of Japanese animation and comics. And what is distorted super exactly? It is a style of the cartoon, in which the characters are drawn with exaggerated proportions: large eyes, oversized heads, tiny organisms, not discrete, large eyes, and hair that usually defies the laws of gravity. The characters are designed like this are often those who receives "kawaii" as a response.

Not only is cute widespread among the cartoon characters, but also in the Japanese fashion. The Japan has a wide range of styles of fashion, which some take Kawaii in a completely different level. Although these styles are not part of the traditional, you can often see in the streets of Harajuku. And what styles it perhaps?

There is Decora, which focuses on the page top accessories and bright pink and blue baby. Usually, Don them these style multiple-pins to hair which have strawberries, desserts and bow charm. Bright, funky socks leg warmers and type sanrio bags are often worn.

Another style is called lolita sweet, which focuses on the pastel colors, especially roses and baby blues. Despite that suggest the colours, this style is actually based on the fashion of the Victorian era or Rococo and is one of the reasons which bore of petticoats is an integral part of fashion. Although only very popular and far from daily wear, there are brands directed completely towards this style.

Now, when you walk past the Japanese comic section at Barnes & Noble, and you will hear the term, "kawaii", you will have a better understanding of what the word refers to.

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