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Japanese Fan-Cooled Clothing Evolves From Workwear to Fashion

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In Japan’s humid summers, these delightfully cool ”fan-equipped“ styles are just the thing to keep the heat at bay. Will they be the next big trend in practical fashion?



The Japanese summer is hot, and it's getting hotter, which is why this summer Tokyo hosted the Heatwave Countermeasure Exhibition as a chance for people from around Japan and beyond to think seriously about the latest innovations in staying cool. But it turns out that one of the stars of the show, shining as bright as the sweltering sun outside, was a line of "fan-equipped" clothing. That's right, electric fan and stylish vest, all in one.



Take a look at a construction site in Japan on the hottest days of the year, and you might be surprised to see the construction workers not only wearing long sleeves, but jackets. How could they make it through the day in the intense heat and humidity of the Japanese summer wearing a jacket!? Well it turns out, those jackets hold a little secret. Take a closer look, and you'll find that this workwear actually has ports on the back or the sides, from which little electric fans provide substantial airflow. With the fans helping sweat to evaporate, it's actually more effective at keeping skin cool than wearing nothing at all would be, which is why they're a workwear staple for workers who spend their day doing physical labor in the hot sun.

But now, three manufacturers specializing in uniforms, textiles, and power tools (Chikuma & Co., Teijin Ltd., and Makita Corp. respectively) are teaming up to make this practical summer choice a lot more fashionable, and to help the products reach a much broader audience. The resulting brand is called Chikuma no Smafa, and all of the products are (as they call it) "fan-equipped", from simple vests to billowing dresses. Some of the items are clearly attempts at blending in as much as possible, like the black blazers and bomber jackets that look close to normal from the front, but then have massive ports on the back like something from the Matrix (the real world in the Matrix). Other items are uniquely innovative, like a piece that has a vest-like back, but a front portion that works like a chunky cross-body bag. It's a look!



Visitors to the Heatwave Countermeasure Exhibition, themselves looking to escape the heat of the Tokyo summer raging on outside, responded with oohs and aahs when trying on the Chikuma no Smafa products, admitting that they were quite comfortably cool. But any Japanese construction worker could have told you that! The real question seems to be one of style, and the brand is clearly working to respond to the demand for fashionable clothing, as summers seem to get hotter and hotter. Not only have they searched out more daringly colorful prints and patterns, to cater to the fashion-conscious, but they've started collaborating with IPs like Street Fighter for a little extra "Street" cred. Will fan-equipped clothing be the fashion of the future? It's still hard to tell, but if you're a believer, you can already buy Chikuma no Smafa's products online. We say go for it – someone has to be the trendsetter, after all.

For more info and updates from Japan, check Japankuru for new articles, and don't forget to follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook!

Article/Image Sources: Mainichi Shimbun, Chikuma no Smafa

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      Fukuoka Prefecture has the highest population on the southern island of Kyushu, with two major cities: Fukuoka and Kitakyushu. Thanks to growing transportation networks, Fukuoka is more accessible than ever, and so are the many local attractions. On top of historical spots like Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, travelers shouldn't miss Fukuoka's food scene, with motsu nabe (offal hotpot), mentaiko (spicy cod roe), and famous Hakata ramen―best eaten from a food stall in the Nakasu area of Hakata. Plus, it's full of all sorts of destinations for travelers, like trendy shopping centers, and the beautiful nature of Itoshima and Yanagawa.

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      Kagoshima Prefecture played a major role in Japan's modernization as a backdrop for famous historical figures like samurais Saigo Takamori and Okubo Toshimichi, who pushed Japan out of the Edo era and into the Meiji. Because of that, Sengan-en Garden is just one of many historical destinations, and when it comes to attractions Kagoshima has plenty: the active volcano of Sakurajima, popular hot springs Ibusuki Onsen and Kirishima Onsen, World Heritage Site Yakushima Island, even what Japan calls the "island closest to heaven," Amami Oshima. Kagoshima might be found on the very southernmost tip of the southern island of Kyushu, but there's plenty to see.

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      The island chain of Okinawa (沖縄) makes up the southernmost tip of Japan, which is why it's also the most tropical area in the country. Thanks to a history of independence and totally distinct political and cultural events, Okinawa has a unique culture, and remnants of the Ryukyu Kingdom are still visible all over the islands. Food, language, traditional dress, it's all a little different! It's also said to be the birthplace of karate.

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