Pale to the Skin – Japanese rare white kanji on black washi paper. The cut of the garment is inspired by Korean Durumagi.
A traditional overcoat which translates “closed all around”. When in 1884 the unification of clothing for all social classes was promulgated through reform law the durumagi became common as formal attire. During Japanese occupation 1905-45 Korean traditional clothing was banned by law and became a form of protest.
The black durumagi was introduced in 1895 as a way to visually level social disparities while making the outercoat more convenient to wear and care for.