The roots of the juban

I wrote about T-shirts in my previous blog post.

Do you happen to know the etymology of the word "juban"?

When we say "naga-juban," we assume it is undoubtedly a Japanese word, but it is said that the origin is the Portuguese word "gibão."

First, I would like to point out here that no one would call a naga-juban a piece of Western clothing. Yet, the original version of what everyone recognizes as a piece of Japanese clothing (wafuku), the "naga-juban," was Western attire.

To shift the argument, therein lies a clue to defining what "wafuku" actually is.

 

gibão

"Gibão" is a short undergarment that reaches about the waist, and "juban" is a phonetic transcription of it. It is said that the Portuguese "gibão" was introduced to Japan during the Nanban trade in the 16th century.

 

The Evolution of the Word "Juban"

An undergarment worn directly against the skin is called a hada-juban (skin juban).

While a gibão is waist-length, the naga-juban is a version that has been lengthened to reach near the feet as a full-length garment.

A simplified, two-piece version of the naga-juban, worn on the upper body, is called a han-juban (half juban).

 

Did anyone think, "Wait a minute?!"

 

This reminded me of a short anecdote.

 

Ryutaro Kamioka talks about Tenma

Ryutaro Kamioka once spoke about the place name "Tenma" in Osaka.

"Everyone, there is a place in Osaka called Tenma.

A little bit east of Tenma is Higashi-Tenma (East Tenma).

A little bit west of Tenma is Nishi-Tenma (West Tenma).

A little bit east of Nishi-Tenma is Nishi-Tenma-Higashi (West Tenma-East).

??!

Nishi-Tenma-Higashi... isn't that just Tenma?!"

That was the anecdote.

 

A short undergarment is a gibão = juban.

A long juban is a naga-juban.

A naga-juban made short is a han-juban.

Wait, isn't a han-juban just a gibão?!

 

That was my little Play KIMONO anecdote.

I hope that was a suitable conclusion🙇