Acculturation and Ethnic Costume Preservation: A Grounded Theory Study on Heterogeneous Strategies in Japan and Korea

Abstract

ABSTRACT There has been increased focus on the role of national costumes in preserving national cultural heritage. As a carrier of culture, ethnic costumes are not only fashion but also symbols of history, tradition, and national identity. Drawing on various documents and practical measures of ethnic costume protection in Japan and Korea, this study utilizes the grounded theory approach to analyze and refine the concepts presented. By doing so, it constructs both an ethnic costume protection model and a comparison model for the two countries and explores the heterogeneity between them. The findings suggest that differences in the implementation of ethnic costume protection strategies arise mainly from the divergent values and ideologies between the two countries. Japan has created a singular national symbol with kimonos as the central element, whereas Korea has built a comprehensive Korean wave culture featuring fashionable Korean clothing. Overall, the transformation of both the kimono and the Hanbok represents a process of adaptation and resistance against Western culture and a means of refining national identity. The kimono has evolved from being a garment reserved for specific occasions to a fashion statement, while the Hanbok has transitioned from solely holiday wear to avant-garde daily clothing.