School Mizugi
As sukumizu ( Jap. スクール水着 , Sukuru mizugi , dt. "School swimsuit"), often abbreviated as Sukumizu ( すくみず ) is one in Japan encountered variant of swimwear called that by students during the swimming lessons is worn. For girls, this is either a one-piece swimsuit or a two-piece, where the top corresponds to a sleeveless shirt. Meanwhile, boys only wear swimming trunks. It is usually in a dark blue shade, is tight-fitting and, in the female model, has characteristic seam lines that run down the sides of the chest. The material is usually a mixture of synthetic fibers such as nylon and polyester .
history
The School Mizugi came into being in the late 1950s when nylon became a flexible, stretchy, non- laddered and water-resistant material for swimwear. Until then, the suits consisted mainly of cotton and acetates . With the opening of the first factories that could supply the new fabric, a lucrative business emerged. Many dealers established direct relationships with the schools, as this, unlike other items of clothing, guaranteed a certain minimum sales. After all, it could be expected that new students would always need new swimsuits that were provided by the school. For these reasons, the form, which is easy to manufacture, has persisted up to the present day, although some different types have emerged and the materials have changed.
The first epoch consisted of the variants that are known today as “even older type” and “older type”. Both were very similar to one another and also shaped the younger generations with their shape. Its heyday was the late 1950s to mid 1980s. When viewed from the front, both types looked like a skirt and a separate lower part, although both parts were firmly connected.
Building on this, newer variations of the swimsuit were created, which retained the characteristic seam lines, but gave up a separation or the skirt shape. The shape of the carriers, which were more tailored to the needs, also changed. In this way, they oriented themselves closer to the modern one-piece suits, although the media still pay homage to the distinctive appearance of the older forms, despite all the disadvantages.
species
Women
Front of the "old type"
Back of the "old type"
Front of the "even older type"
Back of the "even older type"
Front of the "new type"
Back of the "new type"
“Boxer [shorts] type” for boys and “competition type” for girls
“Spats type” for boys
Most of the swimsuits are one-piece and a distinction is made between five different patterns: the "old type" ( 旧 タ イ プ , kyū taipu ), the "even older type" ( 旧 旧 タ イ プ , kyūkyū taipu ), the "new type" ( 新 タ イ プ , shin taipu ), the “competition type” ( 競 泳 タ イ プ , kyōei taipu ) and the “spats type” ( ス パ ッ ツ タ イ プ , supattsu taipu ).
Old guy
With the "old type" or also "skirt shape " ( ス カ ー ト 型 , sukāto-gata ) called, the suit consists of one piece, with the part covering the pubic area coming from behind is connected to the front with the seams surrounding and running down from the front piece . This creates a hole near the navel, which is what gave this shape its name, as the front part protrudes like a skirt. It is also sewn on the left and right. The peculiar cut was chosen because of its properties. Among other things, it is elastic, adapts flexibly to body size and the water flowing in from the chest can exit again through the gap near the belly button. This should reduce the water resistance. In the area of the buttocks there is another seam, which often has the shape of an upside-down 'U', which leads to clearly visible creases in the upper part. The back shoulder area is also shaped by a 'U' shape that resembles a deep neckline. The straps run up to the side near the armpits, so that a larger part of the back is not covered. This had the advantage that the length of the shoulder straps could be changed by moving the seams. After all, it had to be assumed that students would grow in the meantime.
Older guy
The “older type” consisted of two pieces of clothing. The upper part resembles a skirt / shirt, while the lower part is modeled on bloomer shorts that reach under the armpits. Both are sewn on the inside, but not completely, so that it is possible to turn it inside out to about armpit level. To avoid accidental exposure, the inner lining on the front was also connected to the lower piece. Alternatively, both parts were connected at the characteristic seams, the front and side seams. This made it impossible to pull out the lower part separately. The clearest visual distinguishing feature of both types is in the area of the buttocks. While there is a seam at the lower end of the skirt shape, which transitions the part coming from the back directly into the part covering the pubic area, with this type the part ends blind, so that the suggested shape of a skirt is visible all around. Since both types differ only in the buttocks area, this type is sometimes only referred to as kyū taipu (old type).
New guy
In the case of the “new type”, which appeared around 1985, the “skirt shape” was removed so that it looks like a normal one-piece. For this reason, he is also known as the “straight type” ( ス ト レ ー ト 型 , straight-gata ). The typical seams running down at the front have been left as they are. Thanks to improved materials, it is more elastic, slightly thinner and has a smoother surface, which increases wearing comfort. The shape of the straps has also been revised, which is now designed like a 'Y' on the back. This changes the direction of the tensile load so that the carriers can no longer slip or slip off so easily. They also give swimmers more arm freedom.
Competition type
The "competition type", which is about the same age as the "new type", has its shape from the competition or sports swimsuits, which start at hip height. It also has no longitudinal seam on the front and is made of thinner material with narrower straps.
Spats type
The "Spats type" differs in that it has a leg approach and is therefore similar to leggings , which are referred to in Japanese with the English term spats .
Name tag
Another characteristic feature of the suits is a name tag attached to the suit. In many illustrations it can be found in the chest area and is used by the teacher to recognize the students, which is difficult due to the swimming cap. But the sign isn't just there. It is often located on the left or right side of the bar and is intended to help keep the suits apart to avoid confusion, as all students wear the same type of swimsuit.
Dissemination in the media
School topics are repeatedly taken up in many Japanese media. Accordingly, there are also typical or deliberately stylized school clothes (e.g. Sailorfuku ). Likewise, the swimwear, known for short as Sukumizu , which repeatedly attracts attention with its newer designs. For example, at the end of 2007 a new variation was presented in which the one-piece was converted back into a two-piece, which is similar to the Spats type. The reason given was that z. B. going to the toilet would be easier.
In manga and anime , clothing is mainly used as a comedic element or as a fan service . So it is often part of beach sequences and is usually carried by more down-to-earth or reserved figures. Likewise, physically underdeveloped characters ( pettanko ) that become aggressive very quickly are put into a sukumizu, which they consider to be a shameful running gag . As a rule, it should only be a stopgap solution ' since no other swimwear is available '. At the same time, the suit underlines the character's childlike behavior, which quickly turns into anger in the presence of a male protagonist. Typical examples would be the strongly introverted Yuki Nagato from The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya or the childishly naive Kurimu from Seitokai no Ichizon . But there are also works in which overdeveloped characters force themselves into such a suit. Due to the close-fitting design, the body stature is very strongly emphasized, which also leads to embarrassing reactions, especially since the Sukumizu is usually a size too small.
Although the design of the suits has changed over time, the "old type" is still particularly popular in these representations. After all, it offers more possibilities for belittling ( kawaii ). Due to its cut, it gives the figures the feeling that they are wearing a shirt or skirt that is too short. Out of a feeling of shame, the characters then try, for example, to pull this part further down, but this is a rather pointless, naive undertaking due to the elasticity and attached seams. To underline the naivety, the swimsuit is sometimes worn on absolutely inappropriate occasions. In Asobi ni Iku yo! the extraterrestrials (female, playful and reckless Kemonomimi ) go to the first diplomatic meeting, for example, because they have learned from their studies that this is attractive and popular clothing.
This type of swimsuit is also picked up as a popular topic in Bishōjo Games and Erogēs . In the last-mentioned genre of computer games, the “negative” properties of the suit are deliberately exaggerated. The straps slip very easily and the gap, which is otherwise at the height of the navel, slips into unexpectedly deep regions. Likewise, the material seldom passes the ultimate tensile test .
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b c ス ク ー ル 水 着 の 歴 史 . In: sukumizu.info. Retrieved March 31, 2011 (Japanese).
- ↑ a b 旧 タ イ プ の 詳細 . In: sukumizu.info. Retrieved March 31, 2011 (Japanese).
- ↑ a b 肩 ひ も の 形状 . In: sukumizu.info. Retrieved April 1, 2011 (Japanese).
- ↑ a b 用語 集 . In: sukumizu.info. Retrieved April 8, 2011 (Japanese).
- ↑ 全体 の 形状 に よ る 分類 . In: sukumizu.info. Retrieved April 2, 2011 (Japanese).
- ↑ ス ク ー ル 水 着 、 セ パ レ ー ト 化 . Excite Japan, September 30, 2007, accessed April 12, 2010 (Japanese).
