Wearing Ideology - State, Schooling and Self-Presentation in Japan

Uniforms are not unique to Japan, but their popularity there suggests important linkages: material culture, politico-economic projects, bodily management, and the construction of subjectivity are all connected to the wearing of uniforms. This book examines what the donning of uniforms says about cultural psychology and the expression of economic nationalism in Japan. Conformity in dress is especially apparent amongst students, who are required to wear uniforms by most schools. Drawing on concrete examples, the author focuses particularly on student uniforms, which are key socializing objects in Japans politico-economic order, but also examines office ladies (secretaries), salary men (white collar workers), service personnel, and housewives, who wear a type of uniformed dress. Arguing that uniforms can be viewed as material markers of a life cycle managed by powerful politico-economic institutions, he also shows that resistance to official state projects is expressed by anti-uniforming modes of self>

About the author

Brian J. McVeigh

Brian J. McVeigh received his PhD in anthropology from Princeton University, USA and is now training in mental health counseling at the University at Albany, SUNY, USA. The author of twelve books, his latest publications include Nationalisms of Japan: Managing and Mystifying Identity (2003), Interpreting Japan: Approaches and Applications for the Classroom (2014), and How Religion Evolved: Explaining the Living Dead, Talking Idols, and Mesmerizing Monuments (2016).

Product details

• Authors: Brian J McVeigh, Brian J. McVeigh
• Assisted by: Joanne B. Eicher (Editor)
• Publisher: Berg Publishers Ltd
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 01.09.2000
• EAN: 9781859734902
• ISBN: 978-1-85973-490-2
• No. of pages: 244
• Dimensions: 156 mm x 234 mm x 13 mm
• Series: Dress, Body, Culture (Paperbac; Dress, Body, Culture (Paperbac; Dress, Body, Culture
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Education > Education system; Japan, Cultural Studies, PSYCHOLOGY / Social Psychology, Anthropology, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Anthropology / General, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Customs & Traditions, Social, group or collective psychology, Fashion & society, Cultural studies: dress and society