A living and wearable heritage : Han fu as an intangible cultural heritage

Abstract

Throughout the world, almost all countries and ethnic groups have their own national costumes which are commonly utilized in significant events, occasions, and in daily life rituals. More traditional examples include the Japanese Kimono, Korean Hanbok, and Chinese Cheongsam, and the more modern examples are the Chinese Tang suit Sun Yat-sen suit, and Mao suit. They are considered to be clothing that is representative of Chinese characteristics. However, but they are not representative of the traditional images of the Chinese Han nationality. Since the beginning of the 21st century, more and more young people have begun to re-examine traditional Chinese culture. As a long-forgotten treasure, Han Fu has been rediscovered and gradually became popular; today it is, a new dressing fashion. It is unfortunate that the development of the Han Fu revival trend has still not give considerable results. The number of people who genuinely understand Han Fu and participate in the practices is very limited, and others who wear Han Fu often only do so, for a fresh feeling stand out and differs from everyday clothes, there is. Not a clear understanding about the meaning behind the clothes. All kinds of problems gradually emerged, the essential cause is the value and characteristics of Han Fu have not yet been revealed. This dissertation will investigate into the cultural basis of Han Fu, to distinguish it as Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH), identifying its values, charters-defining elements and significance. The objective is to provide the criteria for developing Han Fu as national costume to supplement the cultural identity requirement of majority people in China. The dissertation’s topic is the protection and inheritance of Han Fu as an Intangible Culture Heritage (ICH), focusing on the Han Fu, the Han Fu Revival Movement and the Chinese traditional clothing. The research scope is Han Fu, the sustainability of the movement, by examining the clothing as an intangible cultural heritage – historical and cultural origins, design and craft, character-defining features, cultural practices, sustainable inheritance.