-
Kim Kardashian trademarks the word kimono, gets slammed by people in Japan
投稿日 2019年6月27日 23:00:38 (ニュース)
-
続・お知らせ。海外セレブゴシップ&ニュース
-
お知らせ
-
We spot the legendary dekotora Aki Kannon, dedicated to actress and singer Aki Yashiro
-
New Pokémon GU collaboration dresses all the family, including babies for the first time
-
How do European Cup Noodles taste to a Japanese palate?
-
We’ve been doing it wrong – Japanese genius shows us how we should all be making sandwiches【Pics】
-
The future is now with full face sunglasses
-
Natto-infused ramen is a thing — we tried it, we love it【Taste test】
-
Jellyfish and Halloween in perfect harmony at Sumida Aquarium event
-
Japanese toilet paper collection opens our minds as we open our butts
-
Aomori police on the lookout for man shouting unsolicited advice at kids about dating and ramen
-
Former Arashi members Sho Sakurai and Masaki Aiba get married… Wait, that didn’t come out right
-
Creator of Japan’s longest-running manga, Golgo 13, passes away, leaves fans one last gift
-
Crazy cheap cosplay at Daiso? How to transform into Dragon Ball’s Vegeta at the discount shop
-
7 Halloween-themed afternoon teas you won’t want to miss this year
-
Krispy Kreme Japan creates doughnut burgers that are a meal and two desserts all in one【Photos】
-
Get in the damn drift car, Shinji? Evangelion Tomika toy brings D1 machine home in miniature form
-
Demon Slayer Nichiren Blades ready for new duty: Slicing through your sweets as dessert knives
-
Man in Japan arrested for breaking into ex-girlfriend’s apartment to steal her Nintendo Switch
-
The Japanese Internet chooses the top too-sexy-for-their-own-good male voices in anime
-
First-ever Studio Ghibli x Russell Athletic range pays homage to My Neighbour Totoro
-
Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Japan announces first expansion with new Donkey Kong area
-
Cup Noodle pouch satisfies our never-ending need for instant ramen
-
Retro Japanese train is our new favourite office space
-
How do Japanese fans feel about Netflix’s live-action Cowboy Bebop opening sequence?
-
We try Uniqlo coffee at first-ever cafe inside Ginza flagship store
-
The number of elderly people in Japan this year has yet again smashed multiple records
-
Mr. Sato broadens his home drinking horizons at Kaldi【Japan’s Best Home Senbero】
-
We try Japanese Twitter’s newest trend the Penguin Egg, end up hatching something very disturbing
-
Takoyaki makers surprisingly good at grilling meat for yakiniku too
Sponsored Link
The hashtag #KimOhNo goes viral as the star comes under criticism for cultural appropriation.
Back before they were married, Kanye West told Kim Kardashian that he would take her to Japan, and after their first visit to the country together back in 2017, the two have been vocal about their love for all things Japanese.
This love for Japan has extended to their style philosophy, with Kanye even sending his team over to buy dozens of products from Japanese convenience stores, borrowing their sleek, minimalist packaging ideas for his creative company DONDA.
Now his wife is borrowing from Japanese culture for her own creative endeavour, trademarking the brand “kimono” for a new line of shapewear, which was announced on social media on 25 June.
▼ The Kimono website and official Instagram account were also launched on the same day.
As soon as the announcement was made, people from around the world began slamming Kardashian West for her decision to trademark the name “kimono”, given that the word actually refers to a traditional Japanese garment that’s already been around for centuries.
#KimOhNo
How, in the high heavens, can you trademark something that's been around for centuries AND part of a cultu… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…
—
Otaku Yeoja (@OtakuYeoja) June 26, 2019
People accused the 38-year-old of cultural appropriation, and as Japan started to hear news of the brand name, the backlash grew even stronger, to the point where the hashtag #KimOhNo began trending.
Don't steal our culture.
#KimOhNo https://t.co/GX3p9AyQwT
—
さと (@sato_kimono) June 25, 2019
Japanese people took to social media to protest in their kimonos, asking Kardashian West to change the name of her range, and pointing out that kimono are precious formal garments, not figure-hugging underwear.
Sponsored Link
“Kimono” is a name of one of our, Japanese precious culture which has over a thousand years history.
I really hope… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…
—
有伽(Yuka)*服作る人 (@Yuka_fcm) June 27, 2019
My cultures not your underwear. #KimOhNo https://t.co/kePFwOdQdE
—
Mayumi Narako (@MayumiNarako) June 26, 2019
My grandmother and I. #notyourunderwear #KimOhNo https://t.co/XwpigcqQ0M
—
栗男✨ (@tlmunderground) June 26, 2019
Kardashian West says she chose to name the collection “Kimono” because of its association with her own first name, Kim. However, people in Japan are angry that an American celebrity is showing such disrespect for their national costume, which is imbued with important cultural significance.
I’m honestly shocked at how dense you are, Kim. A kimono is a symbol of elegance, and it’s meant to show modesty, n… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…
—
ひな (@hinajp2) June 26, 2019
▼ Here in Japan, kimono are worn to celebrate special occasions such as births…
This is kimono celebrating birth.
It’s our tradition and culture.
#KimOhNo https://t.co/28sVnCldyZ
—
ハリハコビ (@harihakobi) June 26, 2019
▼ Coming of Age days, when children become adults at the age of 20.
This is the picture taken at my coming of age day.
I was wearing Furisode(the most formal wear of Kimono for unma… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…
—
なぁね (@na4sao3) June 26, 2019
▼ And weddings…
This is #kimono I wore to my wedding. I'd like Kim to imagine how she'd feel if someone treated her wedding, prom o… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…
—
Misako Oi (@misakohi) June 26, 2019
▼ Kimono are so important that they’re often passed down from generation to generation as well.
American influential person,Kim Kardashian saying that “kimono is the underwear.”,American peopl… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…
—
エル (@ch_1126L) June 26, 2019
Many feel that using the name “kimono” is like taking the kimono away from Japanese people.
#KimOhNo @KimKardashian
Your products are great.
However, #kimono is NOT a name to be given for personal honor.
You… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…
—
まき:orior ジャパンエキスポin Paris🇫🇷 (@Maki_orior) June 26, 2019
The significance of the negative backlash in Japan is best summed up with this comment online from Twitter user @marikoaustin:
“Japanese people have been pretty forgiving in the past when people have used kimono in ways that Japanese Americans have seen as cultural appropriation. So when even the Japanese get angry about this, YOU! MESSED!! UP!!! #KimOhNo”
Understandably, a foreigner setting up a company with the name of a country’s national costume is problematic to say the least. And while Japanese people are happy to see foreigners wear kimono as a sign of interest in and respect for their culture, using the word kimono for a range of underwear that has nothing to do with Japanese culture, and just because it sounds like your name, shows no respect for the culture from which it has been taken.
To make matters worse, Kardashian West is currently in the process of trademarking the words “Kimono Body”, “Kimono Intimates” and “Kimono World” as well. Given the backlash over the new brand name, Kardashian West will have to think carefully about how her business decisions will play out in the original “kimono world” of Japan if the release ever reaches Japanese shores.
Source: Hachima Kikou
Featured image: Instagram/kimono
● Want to hear about SoraNews24’s latest articles as soon as they’re published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!
Source: SORA NEWS24
Sponsored Link
最新情報