Adyin

Good evening guys. I am writng a novel of fiction that features flashbacks of the main character.

One of the flashback entails a story arc centered around Emporess Gensho and Prince Obito of the Nara period. Now the story arc will be pure fiction based loosely on historical fact (namely the characters and timeframe) but I need some information of what attire they would have worn during that period. I also would love to understand what the guards would wear closest to the Emporess and Prince in particular guards of high rank/standing.

Any help that any of you lovely people can provide would be most welcome. I really REALLY dont wanna have to make stuff up and be ridiculed once published by people with vastly superior Japanese ancient culture knowledge than I have hahaha

Thanks in advance

1991sudarshan

nara_period costume

If you want to Include Heian period then you can visit the Tale of Genji Museum in Kyoto which describes about the life styles clothing ect in the Heian Period. The Heian Period followed the Nara period. I hope that the clothing style would not have change that much dramatically

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Tousando - Resources for Nara period clothing?

Naomasa298

Nara period dress, and in particular court dress, was more distinctly Chinese in style.

By the time of the Tale of Genji, the style of clothing was subtly, but distinctly different. Men's court dress was baggier and longer, and the eboshi caps were more stylised.

Compare:


And:


The second picture is actually of Akihito at his wedding, but the style of clothing is representative of the Heian aristocracy. Bear in mind that the pictures you often see of the Heian period are usually from the 11th-12th century, which is 300 years later than the Nara period. You'll also note that the hairstyle of the Nara lady is also more distinctly Chinese.

I believe, however, the square, box-like shoes were still in use by the Heian.

Adyin

Thank you guys, thank you so much you have both been very helpful

Alien23

In order to Contain Heian period of time you'll be able to go to the Story connected with Genji Memorial inside Kyoto that talks about concerning the life-style apparel ect inside the Heian Period. The actual Heian Period implemented this Nara period of time. I hope the apparel design won't have adjust a whole lot of substantially.