ok, the dolls actually look good, but have nothing to do with modern Japan today. Maybe if they were billed as "historical," it'd be alright.

What would be cooler is if they did Barbie & Ken Harajuku/Tokyo street fashion dolls.

Imagine if this was reversed - Japan selling dolls of European's dressed in medieval sackcloth or 17th century ruffs and breeches...

But if they were in modern dress, then they'd just be Asian American, right?! /sarcasm

"When was the last time you saw a Japanese person dressed like this?"

Never? Because that can't even be considered a historical costume, but a mish-mash of cultural markers and videogame/anime aesthetics probably created by somebody who has no clue. 'Historical' isn't accurate and wouldn't negate the glaring stereotype problem here.

They aren't exactly historically accurate costumes either. Not sure what they were aiming for, cosplay?

This is especially amusing (and disheartening) because there are more than few Barbie fashions that are obviously inspired by Japanese street fashion. Seriously, Japanese Barbie and Ken couldn't be dressed as Harajuku kids? Isn't that still hip right now or did Gwen Stefani ruin it for everyone?

As a side note -- no defense of these dolls -- but haven't any of you seen the ridiculous costumes many many many many Japanese women wear?

"Gothic" and "Lolita" Fashion anyone? http://bit.ly/aNvUj8

If I saw the Barbie fashion on the street, I would consider that downright mainstream!

Barbie's fashion looks more like the harajuku style to me...as for Ken...umm...cosplay, maybe? From what I've heard, when the guys dress up, they have a sort of retro American 50's style.

Either way, Mattel is made of suck and fail. :P

I think Japanese in Japan would just be amused if I learn that it's supposed to be authentic. People do wear kimonos and walk around in Tokyo for various reasons (celebratory, store uniform, entertainment, and style). If you go to Harajuku or geek conferences it won't be surprising to see "Japanesque" costumes like these.

That said, it's a different issue for multi-generation Japanese Americans who constantly face the assumption that we're exotic foreigners. Anything that reinforces Japanese stereotype, including actual Japanese culture, can be painful for those who consider themselves totally American and don't know anything about Japan.

I see both sides, being a first-gen Japanese American.

I get the point and I think it is relevant. But I would like to point out that, for special events (like weddings) and during traditional celebrations (like during the weeks leading up to a major festival), some Japanese men and women will wear kimonos. They don't look like the outfits above, but they fit the stereotype.

I think the major problem here is if these dolls are issued as "normal" Japanese as opposed to "historical" or somehow otherwise indicating the attire is exceptional (of course the attire also seems to fail in accuracy, but that could be more incompetence than deliberate).

"white people are more modern and progressive than people of color who are seen as more traditional, even tied to ancient ways of life"

Couldn't it be related to golden ages of different cultures/civiliztations? While the golden age of white/Euroatlantic civilization is ending just about now, the golden age of Japan (and other civilizations) was arguably hundreds of years ago.

As for historical accuracy, aren't these just toys targeted at children, not adults? Childred probably do not care as much.

Uhm... this is how ALL the International Barbies are, FYI. Stereotypical (to an American) traditional dress. No basis in reality other than an answer to "How can we make this Barbie look like they're from a specific country?"

See: http://images.bimedia.net/images/090309barbie_row_4701.jpg

Which isn't to say it's either a good or bad thing, I just wanted to point out that it's not a racial issue in case anyone was taking it that way.

These are a part of the Dolls of the World (DOTW) series, which have always (since the series started in about 1980) used very, very stereotypical clothing for the dolls. You should see Irish Barbie, in her ridiculous green dress! I have no idea why this particular one is making the blogosphere rounds, when it's not even the first Japanese DOTW to wear a kimono.

It is, however, the first Japanese DOTW Ken doll. Is it suddenly interesting because Ken is involved? Or because they've made some kind of attempt to "modernize" the fashion and make it look like it came off of a runway?

I mean, just last year the series gave us this Amazonia Barbie. I don't remember a big to do about it, but maybe I missed it.

If Barbie had been wearing a traditional kimono it wouldn't have been so bizarre...walk around in Japan and you will still see women grocery shopping in kimonos, eating at nice restaurants in kimonos...going on a walk in a kimono...kimonos are still around. But her outfit looks like a fantasy land outfit. And not just a representation of Japan. She looks like the American perception of all Asian women look like...a combination of nothing.

For Jirka - The whole idea of images is about the impression it leaves (Stereotype) - that is why it's important to consider what you are giving your children. Whether they care or not isn't the point - They don't care about mathematics but your not going to consider that as not important.
For INTPLibrarian - It's not peoples "intent" that determines racism - It's their ignorance. Like in sexual harrassment - It's how the receiver interprets the message.

You say "We’ll know that we respect people of color as people when we start portraying them as people instead of exotic objects or historical artifacts." Ironically, many groups of people around the world choose to view themselves as exotic objects or historical artifacts, and use this 'cultural status' as an identifier and as a justification for behaviours that are described as historical and cultural but at odds with the 'modern' cultures they are surrounded by (such as the marginalization of women as a native right). If the figures portrayed an aboriginal race should they also be portrayed as just (modern, everyday) people? Or would that be insulting somehow, by denying them exotic and historical traits they have chosen to identify themselves with (however ahistorical some of these might be)? How all encompassing is your premise here?

Lighten up. I am of Japanese decent and I find the Barbie quite beautiful and her style seems ancient with a modern twist. And Ken is cute! ;) Whether it's ancient Japan or modern Japan, ancient history is very rich and also important. As I noted, I realize the style is more of a fashionable twist. But little girls would think the doll and outfit is pretty...they wouldn't think of the white man's oppression. If you live too much with that mentality...YOU are the one holding YOURSELF down with your thoughts.

Totally apart from any racial issues, those outfits are absolutely hideous!

When was the last time you saw a Japanese person dressed like this?

Meet Kurara Chibana, Miss Japan Universe 2006, and Emiri Miyasaka, Miss Japan Universe 2009.

...So yeah. You need to go to the Miss Universe pageant to reach that level of pure kitsch.

Funnily enough, I'm taking a class on Western representations of Japan right now. Maybe I'll e-mail my professor and see what he thinks.

In any case, I wouldn't really have a problem with this if the outfits were remotely accurate. If they were going for historical, a kimono that actually looks like a kimono would be nice. If they're going for hip and updated, even teenage girls still wear yukata and kimono for certain holidays and events-- I buy Japanese fashion magazines every so often, and believe me, there are plenty of styles of yukata that would appeal to little girls. But that kimono isn't even a real fashion, as far as I know.

Maybe I'm just not seeing the race-based marginalization here, but I think that the costumes on Japanese Barbie and Ken are gorgeous, modern, and distinctly Western-Japanese fusion. If you travel to Japan, you'll find that many Japanese people still wear simple kimono, yukata, and funky traditional Japanese/Western fused clothing. This is seen as very modern and "kakkoi sugata" (cool looking) in Japan.

For example, I submit a screen capture from Sukiyaki Western Django to the jury: observe Western-style garb, embroidered with dragons and koi, with Japanese-style headbands, baggy bushido-style jeans, baggy yukata-style jackets, in red, gold, and white (popular Asian colors). These sort of outfits (Japanese-made) are considered edgy, cool, and extremely fashionable.

http://www.craveonline.com/entertainment/film/article/exclusive-sukiyaki-western-django-photos-70183

From our perspective, we see stereotyping and marginalism in Japanese Barbie & Ken's outfits, but from a Japanese perspective, these outfits would likely be very popular among young people.

Same old Barbie and Ken, dressed for a costume party.

Their facial features look Caucasian.

Besides a couple of expected inaccuracies, I see this kind of thing in Japanese animation all the time, as a reference to their own traditional and historical culture.
I assume that's where the influence is. Does that make it wrong?

But if the produced "Japanese" dolls wearing ordinary clothes, how would we know they are Japanese?

Barbie's costume reminds me a lot of gothic lolita cosplay. I've certainly seen costumes like that before. I actually like Barbie's weird futuristic boots.

But Ken just looks really stupid. When I think of elements from traditional japanese fashion gigantic popped collars on hideous trenchcoats don't exactly come to mind.

Another thing that's interesting about this is besides referencing 'tradition' as a japanese stereotype, it's also sort of playing off of the idea of japan being more 'futuristic'. You see asian culture being fetishized in cyberpunk constantly.

Were these made for distribution in Japan or (neo-)Europe? If it's the latter, then they're not doing Americans of Asian ancestry any favours.

Hm. Now if these were realistic Japanese clothes, or perhaps billed as Anime-style, that would be one thing, but....

Only somewhat related, but does Ken remind anyone else of Auron from FFX?

I could see Japanese people wearing those for cosplay-type stuff. Not that it's representative-- it would've made a lot more sense, especially given the rest of that particular Barbie series, to give them actual kimono.

They are, however, sort of awesome costumes. I would totally wear them. (I am not Japanese and do not speak for the Japanese, though.)

Lazy, Lazy, Lazy reporting. All the Dolls of the World are based on traditional looks, including the "white" ethnic dolls. Have you seen French Can-Can Barbie? She's not exactly a great roll model. These ones are different, if you read the description of Pink Label Dolls of the World Japanese Barbie:

"For the first time in the Dolls of the World® collection, a traditional look is infused with a “fashion” influence. Japan Barbie® doll features a traditional Japanese patterned-fabric with contemporary styled clothing—accented with flowers in her hair."

These aren't SUPPOSED to be representations of modern Japanese people. These aren't SUPPOSED to be representations of historical Japanese people. They are buying into the Wamono look - not on accident, on purpose.

If these were the only Asian Barbies ever - ok, I'd see your point. This is the first time they've use this head mold for a guy before (I think he looks like Isshi from Kagrra myself). Name me how many times they've had a new doll head mold and never used it again. Wait? That's right - they reuse the head molds. This implies future Asian Ken dolls, so this won't be the last one.

Now, if you want to complain that the Dolls of the World are a horrible idea - go for it. But the first "Dolls of the World" came out 30 years ago.

Who cares. It is a barbie doll. This site makes me sick. Why does everyone have to be politically correct. Its not the the little girl recieving the barbie doll is going to say "This is not a historically correct Barbie so I am not going to play with it." Barbie has many dolls based on regions ascross the world. The barbies are often the sterotypical image of that region. I guarantee you that those barbies are going to end up like the rest of a little girls barbies. Naked or with closes that did not come with the barbie. The barbies hair is going to be completely messed up and it wont look like the same barbie doll that came out of the package.

cool idea! very creative!