What’s That Thing? Part 5
Also known as: Kimono, The Karyukai, and Pokémon!
On The Twelfth Day of Fun I present… another question that I’ve bee hanging onto for a few days! It’s a topic that I’ve thought about covering before, so I couldn’t pass up this opportunity!
Anonymous asked:
“I remember you mentioned recently that you like Pokémon, and I realized something when playing the other day - Lurantis in its ‘resting’ pose reminds me a lot of some of the poses from Kyōmai, where its blades look like furisode sleeves and the way it stands makes its lower half look vaguely like kimono. Thank you for running your lovely blog x”
First of all, you’re very welcome! Secondly, it’s not an accident! The addition of kimono and even the karyukai have been present in the Pokémon games almost from the very beginning. The original Gen 1 Red/Blue/Green/Yellow games took place in Kanto, which is actually where Tokyo is, so we didn’t see too much in there except for one main character: Celadon Gym Leader Erika:
Image courtesy of The Pokémon Wikia.
It was a bit hard to see in the original sprites, but Erika has always worn a kimono and maintained a close relationship with nature, which is something that kimono and kitsuke aficionados strive for. The first time she’s introduced in the anime she actually looked like this:
Image courtesy of The Pokémon Wikia.
Erika was posing as the owner of a perfume shop, but here we can see her dressed in a princess-style outfit, complete with beautiful nihongami!
It’s not until Gen 2′s Gold/Silver that we really start to see a deeper connection with kimono, but also the introduction of the karyukai! In the original Japanese release of the games the five women who each battle with an eeveelution in Ecruteak City are called “Maiko Han” (まいこはん)!
Image courtesy of Bulbapedia.
They’re shown to be wearing appropriate nihongami and even darari obi! In the games they were given pretty standard female names: Zuki, Naoko, Miki, Sayo, and Kuni. However, In the anime the girls have names that fit the karyukai quite well: Komomo, Satsuki, Koume, Sakura, and Tamao! For the English release their names were changed to “Kimono Sisters” and trainers known as “Kimono Girls” have appeared in every generation of the game since Gen 2. (Random side trivia: in Pokémon Go, to be guaranteed an Umbreon as an evolution for Eevee if you’ve never obtained one before you can change the Eevee’s nickname to Tamao. In the anime Tamao was the maiko who battled with an Umbreon, and her name translates roughly as “Great Treasure”).
Image courtesy of Bulbapedia.
Here in the anime you can even see that the maiko are wearing wareshinobu/momoware and the classic red eri and obiage that maiko and known for. Each girl has a different kanoko color to match their name. In the anime version they do appear to look a bit more like hangyoku than maiko, but it’s pretty good for a kid’s show.
Image courtesy of Zapdos Zulu.
Later on in the anime the maiko are brought up again to give an example of the Johto Festival, and this time we get to see their outfits and hairstyles a bit better. The shoulders of the kimono even have tucks and you can’t miss the bira with the kanzashi!
Some of the show’s main characters have worn kimono as well, including Misty and Jessie who dressed up as Heian princesses for a Girl’s Day event:
Image courtesy of Trakt Tv.
And the entire gang in yukata for a summer festival:
Image courtesy of Pikachu’s Pokémon Photo Vault.
As for Pokémon themselves, it’s in Gen 4′s Diamond/Pearl/Platinum that we get to see the first kimono-inspired Pokémon, Froslass:
Image courtesy of Bulbapedia.
Froslass was actually an added evolution to an already existing Pokémon, Snorunt. Only female Snorunt can evolve into Froslass, which fits with her furisode-like “sleeves” (they’re technically facial extensions…). What’s even more interesting is her Pokédex entry:
“Legends in snowy regions say that a woman who was lost on an icy mountain was reborn as Froslass.”
and
“It freezes hikers who have come to climb snowy mountains and carries them back to its home. It only goes after men it thinks are handsome.”
These entries pertain directly to the legend of the Yuki Onna, who I’ve written about before here. Over in Gen 7′s Sun/Moon we get to see the first Pokémon duo who share kimono traits: Fomantis and Lurantis:
Image courtesy of Bulbapedia.
Fomantis may not look like much since it’s still starting out, but its stunning evolution Lurantis is clearly kimono inspired:
Image courtesy of Bulbapedia.
Not only is Lurantis’ body shaped to look like he/she (there’s no difference in the game) is wearing a kimono, but its Pokédex entries back it up:
“It requires a lot of effort to maintain Lurantis’s vivid coloring, but some collectors enjoy this work and treat it as their hobby.”
and
“As it slashes into its enemies, it looks like it’s dancing. Its elegant appearance has led some to call it the most glamorous Grass Pokémon.”
This shows us that trainers value Lurantis as they would a fine kimono and strive to keep it looking its best. The person who sent in the question mentioned that Lurantis looks as though it’s dancing, which, according to the Pokédex entry, it actually is!
Finally, how can we forget the most famous Pokémon of all? In the anime Pikachu has been shown wearing kimono with hakama while waving fans to cheer on his friends or while in competitions:
Image courtesy of The Pokémon Wikia.
In 2017 The Pokémon Company opened up a new Pokémon Center (a store where Pokémon goods are sold) in Kyoto, and to celebrate they released a bunch of merchandise with both male and female Pikachu in kimono. The female Pikachu are actually called ”Maiko Pikachu” too!
Image courtesy of Crunchyroll.
There’s also been a ton of plush Pikachu released wearing kimono, including:
An Emperor/Empress Hina Doll Set
Edit:
Anonymous asked:
”I think Oricorio deserves a mention in your Pokémon post ^^ It has four forms, based on different dance styles: Baile, Pom Pom, Pa'u, and Sensu. The Sensu form has long 'sleeves' like a furisode, and it dances with two fans. It definitely made me think of a maiko the first time I saw it, which it why its my favourite Pokémon. :)”
Yes, I somehow did miss Oricorio! Its Japanese name, Odoridori, means “Dancing Bird” and one of its forms is definitely worthy of the name “Sensu”!
Image courtesy of Bulbapedia.
While the hair may look a bit oiranish, its movements are inspired by geisha. The mysterious women who charm others with their sensual dances (to the outside world) has been personified in this bird, and its Pokédex entries back it up:
“This Oricorio has sipped purple nectar. Its elegant, attractive dance will send the minds and hearts of its enemies to another world.”
and
“This Oricorio has sipped purple nectar. Some dancers use its graceful, elegant dancing as inspiration.”
Its feathers definitely resemble kimono sleeves too, making it a very traditional yet elegant bird!
So, did I miss anything or is there anything you’d like to add? Please feel free to let me know ^o^!
