A woman dressed in a kimono to cosplay a popular manga character was refused entry to an anime exhibition in Jinan, Shandong province, eastern China. The incident occurred on July 20 at the Huanying Cartoon Exhibition, sparking significant debate on social media.
The woman, cosplaying as Nezuko Kamado from the manga series “Demon Slayer,” was stopped at the entrance by a security guard. The guard informed her that wearing a kimono was not permitted at the event, stating, “Please get out. We have this rule and it is my duty. Please understand this.” A video capturing the incident quickly went viral.
The woman questioned the rule, asking, “Which company made this rule? Can you take me to talk to your manager?” The security guard responded brusquely, “Who do you think you are? It’s just not allowed to wear a kimono here. This is China. Wearing a kimono is not allowed, you know?” Subsequently, the woman left the venue.
“Demon Slayer,” which was published between 2016 and 2020, follows the story of a young boy named Tanjirō Kamado, who becomes a demon hunter after demons murder his family. He embarks on a journey to restore his sister Nezuko back to human form. The series, translated into Chinese, has been well-received on the mainland.
It remains unclear if the Huanying Cartoon Exhibition had any pre-announced dress code restrictions. A similar incident occurred in Hunan province, where two women wearing kimonos were barred from an anime show. A security guard there pointed to a poster stating that kimonos were banned due to their association with sensitive political, ethnic, historical, and religious issues.
The incident in Jinan has ignited widespread discussion on social media platforms like Douyin. One user commented, “I don’t understand. The animation show is all about Japanese manga culture. Why does it prohibit visitors from cosplaying characters in kimonos?” Another user supported the security guard’s decision, stating, “I side with the security guard. Kimonos are not simply Japanese clothes. This traditional Japanese garment reminds us of a humiliating time in history.”
This situation highlights the ongoing tension in China regarding cultural sensitivity and historical memories, particularly concerning Japan. While some argue for the cultural freedom to enjoy and celebrate manga and anime, others feel strongly about the historical connotations associated with certain traditional garments like the kimono. This clash of perspectives underscores the broader issues of cultural appropriation and historical sensitivity in contemporary China.
READ MORE: