The newest installment in the 100 Years of Beauty series shows off some of Japan’s most famous fashions of the last century.
Cut’s 100 Years of… video series is not only incredibly popular, it’s also downright fascinating. Even if you’re not a huge history buff, it’s amazing to see how fashion has changed over the years — and to try to imagine all the social, cultural, and economic influences behind each variation. Their women’s fashion videos have spanned the globe, and it’s finally Japan’s turn to step in front of the camera!
▼ Check it out below!
If you can’t watch the video right now, worry not! We’ve got screen shots of model Mei Kurahashi in the fashion of each of the decades from 1910 to 2010. Mei is an artist and actor currently living in Seattle but was born and raised in Japan, making her an excellent candidate to demonstrate some of Japan’s most popular looks of the last century!
Towards the end, the video offers multiple fashions for each decade, including the look of the ganguro and other alternative styles popular during their time. Keep an eye out for the pink backgrounds that indicate those less mainstream (but still popular) styles!
Cut also released a research video with information about all the fashion, makeup, and hairstyles above, providing some helpful historical context. Not every look was necessarily commonly worn by women of each decade, but there’s little down that each style had a big impact culturally.
So, which decade was your favorite? Are there any older styles you wish would come back? Let us know in the comments section! And if you haven’t seen them yet, be sure to check out the other videos in the 100 Years of Beauty series, like this one for China.
Sources: YouTube/WatchCut Video via Gigazine
Featured image/images: YouTube/WatchCut Video
Now watch:
A century of Chinese beauty trends in less than a minute【Video】
Watch a century of Chinese beauty trends in less than a minute【Video】
30 years of Japanese hair and makeup trends, all modeled by one beautiful woman【Video】
Beautiful YouTuber shows Japanese and Korean makeup trend differences in half-faced comparison
Sayonara Heisei Brows: Japanese makeup video takes us through an era of eyebrow beauty trends
Spot the difference? Japanese women’s hairstyles in the 1910s were amazingly… similar
The average age of Japan’s hikikomori shut-ins is getting older, survey shows
Japanese hair salons going bankrupt in record numbers
Beard Papa goes beyond just matcha with its new premium green tea cream puffs
Samurai Coffee: Try Edo period coffee once enjoyed by Japanese warriors
Uniqlo’s high-end sunglasses are a fashion minefield for anyone who isn’t Mr. Sato
Studio Ghibli releases crystal glass paperweights featuring Totoro and the Catbus
Eating cheap sushi in a narrow building in Tokyo is an adventure for bold diners
Hayao Miyazaki’s Whisper of the Heart concept art revealed in new Ghibli illustration book
Is Mister Donut’s all-you-can-eat Donut Buffet still worth it?
Japan’s new Pokémon jackets give you the look and powers of the Kanto starter trio
Japan enters Golden Week vacation period, survey shows one in three plan to ride it out at home
Studio Ghibli releases new anime keychains that are like miniature figurines
Dorayaki from 89-year-old Japanese confectionery shop is one of the best sweets hidden in Tokyo
Retro-style Evangelion T-shirts coming to Uniqlo sister brand GU[Photos]
Sega opening 65th anniversary store in downtotn Tokyo with deep-cut game merch
Viral tweet suggests Japanese convenience store ripping off customers with donuts, so we investigate
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
Brand-new Pokémon manhole covers coming to help the recovery of a disaster-stricken part of Japan
Japan’s awesomely beautiful Alpen Route snow corridor is now open
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Japanese beauty trends of the 20th & 21st centuries, and predicting future fashions
A century’s worth of Japanese beauty trends, from silver screen chic to puffy-eyed catharsis
Illustrations show how Japanese makeup trends changed in the last 25 years, and what’s coming next
Blast from the past as this year’s makeup trends inspired by looks from the ’80s and 2000s
Finger Dance Makeup: Shiseido reveals the history of Japanese makeup through finger dance【Video】
Who needs scissors? Stylist in Vietnam slices customers’ hair with samurai sword
Japanese video shows what life was like in Tokyo and Mt Fuji over 100 years ago
Anime magical girl spokesmodel tells Japanese women not to feel bad about dying their hair【Video】
Fendi’s latest collection features garments made using kata-yuzen, a historic Japanese dyeing technique
Breathtaking pixel art video shows 100 years of Japanese work culture changes【Video】
Style your hair like an old-school Japanese beauty with the marumage hair kit【Video】
Video shows off hundreds of beautiful AI-created anime girls in less than a minute【Video】
How to tie a women’s summer kimono sash 【Video】
Sheena Ringo’s latest music video leaves us spellbound by its traditional Japanese aesthetics
Japanese train history plays out like a sliding doors rom com in 100 Years Train ad 【Video】
Rice bran, the skincare product used by Japanese women for centuries and now Chloë Grace Moretz