Kawaii culture is a sub-culture within Japan that is characterised by its love of cute, colourful, and often anthropomorphic characters. Originating in the 1950s, the style has since spread around the world through media and merchandising. Popular examples of kawaii culture include Hello Kitty, Chibi Maruko-chan, Doraemon, Sailor Moon, Pokémon, and My Little Pony. Kawaii culture is not just limited to children, however, as adults also enjoy dressing up in cosplay and enjoying themed events like Comic Con.Japan’s cultural influence is recognised globally, from anime to gaming to fashion trends. One sub-culture which has become increasingly popular is Japanese kawaii culture, which has permeated across the globe as a result of globalisation and an increasingly technological world. If you’ve heard of Hello Kitty, you’ve already had a glimpse into Japanese cute culture, but what is it all really about?
What does "Kawaii" actually mean?
Kawaii is an adjective describing something cute. It’s not just a word. It means something you like because it’s cute. Kawaii is also about celebrating cute things and people. Cuteness isn’t always positive though. There are many different types of cute. Some cute things might be scary or even mean. For example, anime characters are often cute, but they can also be violent or creepy. Kawaii is a type of cute that celebrates youthfulness and innocence. It’s a kind of cute that embraces fictional characters as real. Kawaii is also a cultural phenomenon. People celebrate cute things and people everywhere. Cute things and people are celebrated in Japan, Korea, China, Taiwan, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Cambodia, Vietnam, Philippines, Laos, Myanmar, Hong Kong, Macau, Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Iran, Israel, Palestine,In Japan, Kawaii represents the desire to escape the daily grind of work, school, and family life. It represents a youthful, carefree attitude that is often associated with the pursuit of fun, fashion, and beauty. Its roots go back to the 1950s when manga began depicting characters wearing cute clothing and accessories. Popular anime series like Sailor Moon and Pokémon were introduced during this time period. By the 1990s, kawaii had become a major cultural phenomenon in Japan, and its influence spread throughout Asia. Today, kawaii is everywhere you turn, even in your smartphone.
The offsprings of kawaii culture
The word “kawaii” evolved from ‘kawayushi’, in the Taishō era (1912-1925). It was used to describe people who were shy, vulnerable, and l The modern word retains this meaning, but now includes feelings of love, care, and protection.
Kawaii art has been around for centuries. Yumeji Takehiro’s illustrations on chiyogami woodblock prints, merged from East and West, using rounded eyes in his work to symbolize innocence and youth. Today there is a distinct Western influence present; the big, round eye shape is a result of the interaction of Japan and America during World War II.
Before the 1970s the target audience for kawaii was younger girls in elementary school. Shōjo was a way to promote fashion after the Second World war, to target teens with illustrations of stylish characters. Kawaii was used by companies to sell cuteness to young women, who chose their products because they were cute. Cute dress, accessories, and objects were used to create a large group identity.
By the 1970s in Japan, Marui-ji (round writing) was popular in schools. Schoolgirls used mechanical pens to decorate their writing by drawing cute symbols like stars and heart shapes, similar to today’s emoji!
Hello Kitty was created in 1974, with the first appearance of her iconic face. Hello Kitty is one the most famous characters in the world and has over 50,000 products available in 130 countries. Hello Kitty represents Japanese kawaii culture to a tee: a cute character with disproportionately large eyes, a tiny nose, no facial expressions, and a big mouth. She has no facial expressions, so she can be given almost any kind of emotion. As a result, she is a very popular character who transcends age and gender.
What is kawaii-culture in Japan like today?
Kawaii culture is an important part of Japanese society. From fashion to art, music to anime, everything is influenced by kawaii. Kawaii culture is also very prominent in Japan. There are many different types of kawaii merchandise, including clothing, toys, and stationery. Some of the most well-known items associated with kawaii culture include Hello Kitty, Chibi Maruko-chan, and Pochacco.
Where in Tokyo can kawaii culture be experienced?
You can spot kawaii culture in several areas in Tokyo, including Harajuku, Shibuya, Shinjuku, etc You can decide where you want to go depending on your interests. For example, if anime and manga are your thing, then go to Akihabara, where you’ll find lots of shops selling anime and manga. If you’re looking for a place where you can shop for cute clothes and eat delicious treats, Harajuku is the perfect destination.
Kawaii cafes are unique themed cafes that can be found at popular theme parks. They offer a photogenic experience and a fun atmosphere.
Harajuku Takeshita Street
Takeshita Street is a shopping street in Harajuko area. You can find this shopping hub in a 2 minute walk from JR Harajuko Station. It has a wide variety of shops, restaurants, and bars which are packed with the bustling narrow streets. If you walk down the street, you’ll be able to see colorful shops and photogenic sweet treats which many schoolgirls love to buy after school or on the weekend. There are also specialty stores specializing in popular character goods such as Hello Kitty, Hello Kitty merchandise, Sanrio characters, and anime characters!
Shibuja
One of the most popular shopping destinations in Tokyo is located in Shibuya.
Shibuya 109, one of Tokyo’s most famous shopping districts, is among them. It opened in 1979. It features 121 retail locations which primarily target young adults in their early 20s. You can get trendy clothes and fashionable accessories at a relatively inexpensive price compared to other expensive shopping spots. If you just browse the shops, you can get a glimpse of the trendy things in Japan today! Moreru mignon (sticker photo booths) is on the 2nd basement floor, where you’ll be able to enjoy taking Purikura (a sticker photo booth). Other popular tourist attractions like Shibuya Crossing are located nearby.
Sanrio Puroland
If you want to enjoy a Kawaii culture spot with your kids, visit Sanri Puroland! Located in Tama City, a quiet suburb town west of Tokyo, this popular theme parks attracts about 1.5 million tourists each year. It has some of the most famous Sanrio characters, including Hello Kitty and Gudetama, which attract Sanrio fans from inside and outside of Japan! At Sanrio Pūrōland, visitors can meet and take photos with their favorite characters. Exciting characters parades and shows are often held. Rainy days are no reason to stop your kids from enjoying the wonderland! Couples or girls’ groups often enjoy photo spots featuring popular characters. It also has a wide range of original merchandise featuring popular characters that can be great souvenirs.
Tokyo Character Street
Tokyo Station offers not only an exceptional transportation network but also exciting shops and activities!
Tokyo Character Street is an interesting shop where you can buy a variety of products including toys featuring famous Japanese characters, such as Ghibli characters, Pokemon characters, Hello Kitty and so on. It’s located conveniently near Tokyo Station, so you may want to stop by to take a look around the shops while you’re waiting for your train. You may think it’s only for kids, but they also carry school supplies and cups featuring cute characters you can use at work.
Great examples for Kawaii Accessories
Cinnamoroll Crossbody Bag | Cute Sanrio Bag
Cinnamoroll
Kitty
Kitty 1
Kitty 2
Kitty 3
Kitty 4
Kitty 5
Kuromi
My Melody
Sanrio Backpack | Cinnamoroll Backpack
Cinnamoroll
Kitty
Kitty 1
Kitty 2
Kitty 3
Kitty 4
Kuromi
My Melody
Sanrio Pencil Holder & Desk Storage
Cinnamoroll
Kitty 1
Kitty 2
Kuromi 1
Kuromi 2
Little Twin Stars
My Melody 1
My Melody 2
Pompompurin
Kawaii Little Twin Stars XL Desk Mat
1
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
2
20
21
22
23
24
25
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
