Print
Email to Friends
Comment (|
(Han costume or "Shenyi") |
The joint online petition calls for making traditional Han-dynasty costumes the official uniform of the Chinese delegation during the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. "Our petition has been submitted to the Beijing Olympic Committee", initiator Fu Lujiang from a traditional private school at Hebei Province said yesterday. The proposal has been mainly initiated by a group of famous Chinese scholars, echoe by an army of domestic counterparts and netizens. BOCOG today said they hadn't received any proposal, but confirmed that Chinese elements will out of question be blended into the delegation uniform design. The propose says that "As the host in the worldwide Olympic Games, it is absolutely necessary for China to demonstrate their unique centuries-old culture by dressing up in ethical outfits and salute traditional formality in a way that will impress both domestic spectators and overseas guests. Opponents see this as being nothing more than the tacky, profit-oriented efforts of an elite few, sparking at debate over whether or not the Han costume is appropriate for the Olympics. |
This large sized garment, bow and scrape, provides a strand of traditional etiquette and could lead spectators back to ancient China.
The Han costume or "Shenyi" originated from the Shang Dynasty (17th - 11th century BC) and long served as the formal attire for Chinese people until the end of the Ming Dynasty (1368 -1644).
"There exists a misunderstanding that much of who consider Han-style costume is namely the dress popular in Han dynasty", an undefined initiator said of their petition, "We just aim at evoking Chinese recollection of traditional culture."
It is not the sole occurance of a public tendency to revive traditional culture via Han-style clothing. It can be said that the outfit is everywhere as a new fad among the youth, being worn in civil services, wedding ceremonies, and musical concerts. Even a Han costume-themed restaurant made its debut in Beijing last year.
The petition is titled "Making Chinese constume our own voice and symbol at the upcoming Olympic Games" also highlights a propose brought forward by a China National People's Congress (NPC) member Ye Hongming at a recent NPC annual session. Ye nominated the Han-style dress as the 'Chinese national costume,' with hopes that "Chinese people will be moved to demonstrate ethical charm."
Opponents: A profit-oriented gimmick
But opponents look coldly on such high fever, and cast the oppugn on the addiction to the old-style attires, criticizing the proposal as an eye-catching trick in the name of the Olympic Games that is in fact a profit-making conduct.
A netizen Xiao Li said of that the Han costume is "nice and would make a good uniform for Chinese athletes" during the Opening and Closing ceremonies, but questions whether or not the ancient-style outfits resemble the Kimono a little a too much?
A growing concern looks at the similarity of the Japanese Kimono, Korean attires, and Indian sari, and questions whether the Han-style "Shengyi" is the best choice to demonstrate China's own unique image towards the world.
Experts: Reviving the tradition, or antiquated performance?
Cultural expert Wang Xudong thinks the rising fad of Han-style costumes is a true kind of classical Chinese Renaissance, or no more than a series of superficial "shows."
Traditional etiquette, on one hand, is too old to be revived completely. On the other, current etiquette culture, being absorb into exotic civilization and burgeoning internal elements, Zhang Yiwu, a well-known professor with Chinese literature department at Peking University said of current Han costume mania.
Most cultural scholars stress that if a style of costume is supposed to be named "national costume," it should first be recognized by the whole country and not just an academic authority. "This is a question for the entire nation to think over."
