The Religiosity of and Reverse Japonisme in Japanese Bridal Imagery
By: Eileen Stall '14
Advising Faculty: Takeshi Watanabe
Drawing from modern Japanese wedding magazines and firsthand experience of attending a Japanese wedding in Kyoto, this project explores the visual techniques used in advertising by the Japanese bridal industry. While the propagation of the white wedding dress fantasy might on the surface appear to be a side-effect of Westernization, this project asserts Japan as the cultural powerhouse which appropriates images of crinoline-style gowns as a symbol of the romantic. By delving into Japan's rich religious history, this project explores the influence that Christianity and subsequently the West had in inspiring the ceremonies and images that are so prevalent today.
Related Fields: Art History, CISLA, East Asian Studies, Global/International