Guide to cool in the Samurai period

In the early 17th century, Tokugawa Ieyasu ended his unification of Japan, ended the bloody Sengoku period, and allowed the people of Edo (modern Tokyo) to focus on what really matters: determining what makes people “cool”. They took a while, but by the 18th century EdokkoJapan’s largest city and the indigenous people of the world finally cracked it.

Typical Edokko man, described in utagawa Kunisada with “Hautanoshin”

An unrealized ideal

After more than a century of thought, Edokko decided that the person who made a person “cool” was…becoming Edokko. It was an amazing lucky coincidence for them. Of course, not everyone in Edo is considered the true son of the city. So, what defines the ideal and therefore cool Edokko? Initially, it was “different from those old chickens in Kyoto and Osaka.”

The image of a true Edo citizen is first defined as the opposite of the Kyoto aristocrat and the Osaka financier. Although they are ancient, traditional, safe and prudent, Edokko is modern, exciting, open to new ideas, quick to speak, and always on the go. The city’s lively businessman culture has made a huge contribution to this emerging Edokko identity. Over time, the idea evolved slightly until it wasn’t enough to not come from Kyoto and Osaka. You can’t have any trace of the countryside either. Edokko is Urbane. His greatest enemy is the country Bangpukin (called Their).

Therefore, “Edo cool” is not defined primarily by it, but by it not by it. Popular shared (Wisdom Book) Sometimes an impossible perfect specimen appears, which is a specimen of fashionable edokko that you should try to imitate (but never become) but focuses mainly on anti-circular models. Santo Kyoden’s ED UMARE UWAKI NO KABAYAKI (1785), a fictional story about the son of a wealthy Edo businessman Trying to be “cool”, It’s a humorous list of things. The main thing is hard work. Trying to cool is the least cool thing to imagine. This is all part TSU/arrive philosophy.

Page storybook of “Edo Umare Uwaki no Kabayaki” by Santo Kyoden (1785)

TSU, IKI and other useful terms

“Iki” and “TSU” are two words to define the ideals that Edokko should strive for later, even if both of them are difficult to define. But, very broadly, “iki” and “tsu” are aesthetic principles associated with (but not strictly defined) light notions of lightness. extremely Not cool), and an internal knowledge of Edo. At least, that’s what it says on all the shared papers that serve as insider guides. Again, it was an amazing lucky coincidence for them!

The differences between IKI and TSU have been debated for centuries. The current consensus seems to be that IKI is more abstract and deeply rooted, while TSU is more specific, learnt and applied to people. It can even be used like this: “A bunch of TSUs in town.” In this sense, its work is similar to “playboys.” But that’s not always the case. Historically, TSU is so closely related to the “internal knowledge” part of Edokko that it basically becomes synonymous with the “guidelines” of Japanese feudalism. However, in many cases, Iki and TSU have been and continue to be regarded as synonyms.

Nishiyama Matsunosuke’s work is a further obstacle to understanding Iki and TSU, who describes this Sub-iki/TSU quality as sky (The strength of personality, without compromise, always keep calm under pressure), Bit (It goes without saying, but the burning porn/charm is unvaguing; feminine characteristics) and Not said (Urbane, delicate delicate without arrogance). A stylish Edokko must keep all of this in mind when dressing or doing it yourself. It’s cool in Japanese feudalism is a full-time job.

An exclusive (but surprisingly progressive) club

The “low-key” background throughout Iki, TSU, Hari, Bitai and Akanuke is derived from the civilian culture of Edo, with a large amount of disposable income. The city’s merchants may be low on the social ladder (technically farmers, because they have to grow rice at least), but they have a lot of spending power. Combined with laws prohibiting the display of luxury goods for civilians, this leads to a bizarre strategic simplicity concept that hints at a person’s level of fashion, but only perceives the same cool Edokko. It’s like a secret club.

It was an extremely selected club. As mentioned earlier, rural mouse will never be “cool”. Edo workers may have the right pedigree and mental state to achieve IKI and TSU, but they are usually too poor to afford it, such as stripes, smoky brown brown clothes with some elegant blue lining (perfect Iki/TSU clothing). Warriors are almost universally “not cool”. Even the poorest of the ragged kimono still carries two swords, an external symbol of its status. Unlike some Edo women, they don’t have Iki/TSU.

The prostitute in the Red Light District of Yoshiwara once lived (because they often died), is considered a microcosm of Hari and perfected the art of Bitai Coquettishness, but sometimes worn too cleverly. Women’s art ish (not Original maleOn the other hand,) possesses the expertise of the arts and is regarded as a soft fashion icon. Many writers believe that all women cannot achieve IKI/TSU due to their emotions, but many aspiring Edo Dandis clearly sees women from some cities as role models.

Related Articles