Taisho Romance

[aimeekitty]

Does anyone have any idea what the cultural significance (Japan) of the phrase "Taisho Romance" could be?

There are a few dolls made by the Japanese company Volks, that are named this, and I'd like to research it. Thanks in advance!
(some photos of the dolls:
http://denofangels.com/sd/mai.jpg
http://denofangels.com/sd/maif.jpg
http://denofangels.com/sd/taisho2.jpg )

Also, does anyone have the exact meanings (or as close to that as you can find) of the names for Tae and Shizu that Volks wrote on the booklets that came with them? I have Mai, so I know what Volks said about her,... but I need some help with the other two?

Comments

[sakurae.livejournal.com]

I think it's more like they're defining a time period, like the Rococco Era as an example. So this would be the Romantic Period if it follows that line of thinking.

[ruggels.livejournal.com]

It would probably define a Romance set during the Taisho Era, which would be between the Meiji restoration, and the Showa period. That would make this sometime around the Edwardian period or the first world war. Emperor Taisho died in 1926, and then his son Hirohito became Emperor. a Showa Period Romance would be anything from the late20's to the 1990's. :-)

Scott

[mayuka13.livejournal.com]

My friend, Stephanie says, "Taisho" is a romantic period sometime around 1912-1920. I do have the translation for Shizu but its at home and I can post it later tonight if I am not too busy/tired.

[mayuka13.livejournal.com]

Okay! Just got home!

Shizu's papers say: "The Japanese character 'Shizu' means 'serene hush.' She is wearing kimono which is a traditional-Japanese dress and her image with kimono gives you an impression of modesty, which is valued as a virtue in Japan."

[biscuitbear.livejournal.com]

It refers to the Taisho era between 1912 and 1926. It brings to mind "modern girls", comics such as Haikara-san ga toru and girls with bobbed hair in colorful kimono.

[biscuitbear.livejournal.com]

You can find some links by googling "Taisho Roman". Here's a definition I found that I think is accurate : " “Taisho-roman”(is a) the word used to describe the nostalgic longing for the good old days of Taisho Era when semi-European culture flourished".

[biscuitbear.livejournal.com]

Also see last post in this page!

http://www.kissui.net/mt/archives/000915.html

[twotone]

In general, "roman"/"romance" is used in Japanese to connote the idealized romantic (not in the love-sense, but the "oh man, that's so awesome" sense) of something.

So Taisho Roman is the idealized vision of the Taisho era, with hai-kara girls and kimonos intermingling with westernization.

Otoko no Roman (another common phrase) is the idealized vision of manly men who smoke and carry a gun and smirk to hide the tears they shed over lost love.

[kyubikitsy.livejournal.com]

I'll post on Tae's info a little later this week (recovering from trip.. aaauuughhh) I had a couple possible meaning for her name as well.. gotta look it up again~

Also the kanji for "shizu" is basically "quiet".

-Kitsy

[aimeekitty.livejournal.com]

awwww... your icon makes me feel all warm and fuzzy! :D

"Tae"

[kyubikitsy.livejournal.com]

Ahha! Got the info~

Tae - no kanji for name.
"Miko (Shrine Maiden) Version"
Miko is a woman of a mystique who serves God.
She dances along with shinto music and propitiates God and gives the invocation.

"Tae" doesn't show up in my dictionary by itself, but there is a kanji that reads for "Tae" that also reads as "myo" (Radicals for "woman/onna" and "little/sukoshi"... Descriptions (as far as I can read) describe it as a "fine object" or a "talented/skillful person".

As a side note: I'm not sure if I was supposed to get a pair of undies with my set of clothes, but none came. I wonder if this was something that happened across the board or just me? ^^;?

-Kitsy

Re: "Tae"

[sakurae.livejournal.com]

Heehee, all our girls are shooting the breeze so they're supposed to mail them to the registered owner. I guess since I bought her at the store, it will come to me. So I'll send as soon as I get it!

Re: "Tae"

[aimeekitty.livejournal.com]

oh, should I ask about my panties too?

(AHHAA)

Re: "Tae"

[sakurae.livejournal.com]

I felt sorry for her draftyness so I put Alex in a pair of bloomers XD

Re: "Tae"

[aimeekitty.livejournal.com]

The same thing happened to me! I think no one got panties!

thanks for the indepth response! I really appreciate it! :)

[tristencitrine.livejournal.com]

Mau... I know Taisho era is when Sakura Taisen takes place :)

Shizu's booklet says "serene spring".

Hpe that helps.. a little?

[aimeekitty.livejournal.com]

^____^ I hadnt even realized taisho was ST land! That makes me love Mai even more! little ST baby!

I sent you an email just now ^_^....

[laurean.livejournal.com]

Just a random comment..but I absolutely love that wig and kimono on mai. O.o