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    NEWS

    UNIQLO + SHOCHIKU = KABUKI

    Japanese movie studio, Shochiku, has collaborated with Uniqlo to create a bold new collection that borrows from the colour and theatrics of traditional Japanese theatre.

    Kabuki theatre dates back to the Edo period - around 400 years - and is known for its wild costumes, big wigs, dramatic mask-like makeup and heavily stylised, avant-garde movements. Inspired by the tradition’s vivid hues and patterns, the Shochiku Kabuki collection features men’s T-shirts and Steteco shorts emblazoned in a kabuki-reminiscent manner. There’s also a selection of large totes, scarves and a graphic print bandanas for just that little splash of drama.

    Fun kabuki fact: though kabuki dance was founded by shamanic-style priestess Izumo no Okuni in the 1600s, the shogunate deemed it too lewd to be performed by women. Some of the dancers were available as prostitutes, and the performances themselves attracted a mixed audience of high and low classes; it was one of Japan’s first examples of pop culture and something that made the shogunate uncomfortable. From the mid-1600s kabuki was therefore only performed by men, though today, women can again be found in local kabuki troupes (though nowadays they aren’t also available as prostitutes.)