I Am Not a Costume!

[amIblue?]

Originally Posted by MisticLight

Ok I know this is an old thread so I have a few questions I want to be clear about.
How is this offensive?

From what I see it just looks like a geisha costume is done with a cheap kimomno rather an authentic expensive one. :/ Halloween costumes are known for their cheap quality. I mean sure there are a few nice looking Halloween costumes. I do have a kimono that I wear for sleepwear that is a bit better quality than that one. Now if I was to wear that as a costume would I be mocking that culture in any way? Let's say I did my hair up in a simple bun without the wig. Would I still mocking the Japanese culture?
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Also on the other hand if I was to go full out and purchase an authentic kimono made, do my hair up in the complex bun or better yet buy a spot on geisha wig, do the make up spot on, get the correct footwear, and practice the graceful walking. After doing all of that would it still be seen as mocking the culture when I try to be authentic as possible? Only thing is I'm not Japanese.

Did you read the thread?

[PiKA2001]

Originally Posted by amIblue?

Did you read the thread?

I read the thread but I also fail to see how dressing up as a geisha could offend someone. How many people do you really think would dress up as one to do it out of mockery of asian culture? I'd think that women that would choose this costume would because of the ability to really go all out in terms of make-up and the fact that the geisha "look" was a costume in and of itself. I think that part of the campaign was just the product of political correctness gone over-board.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by PiKA2001

I did read the thread but I also fail to see how dressing up as a geisha could offend someone. How many people do you really think would dress up as one to do it out of mockery of asian culture? I'd think that women that would choose this costume would because of the ability to really go all out in terms of make-up and the fact that the geisha "look" was a costume in and of itself. I think that part of the campaign was just the product of political correctness gone over-board.

This has all been discussed in this thread. Agree or disagree, dressing up as any representation of another race, ethnicity, and culture of people can be considered a mockery just as easily as it can considered a homage. People who still choose to do so are doing so at their own "risk."