2024 :: The goal of mapping the encyclopedic presentation of Japanese clothing history during the Meiji period seeks to provide a comprehensive analysis of how clothing has served as a conduit for identity formation and cultural appropriation. With the advent of the Meiji era, the delineation of ‘Japaneseness’ led to the establishment of Wafuku (和服) as a symbol of national identity, positioned in contrast to Western attire. This period marked the kimono’s elevation as Japan’s national dress, symbolizing the nation’s cultural heritage and its specific ceremonial practices. The accompanying research project delineates the timeline during which Western influence permeated Japan, affecting the sartorial preferences of its society and, conversely, how Japanese aesthetics began to influence Western fashion. Initially, Western clothing was adopted by Japanese men as a representation of modernization, whereas women incorporating Western elements into their attire were often criticized for potentially eroding Japanese cultural identity. Conversely, the integration of the kimono into Western women’s fashion significantly impacted 20th-century clothing trends, notably after 1903. This was when the kimono began to inspire a movement away from restrictive garments, influencing the direction of fashion in cities like Paris and contributing to the evolution of non-restrictive womenswear. This segment of the research further explores the reciprocal influence between German and Japanese modern art in the interwar period, highlighting a mutual deconstruction of traditional fashion norms and indicating a rich cross-cultural exchange that redefined the fashion landscapes of both cultures.