Kawaii, what is it, where did it come from and why is it so cute?

Have you ever come across an image of a cute character with big eyes, soft colors and a round shape? Then you've probably been introduced to the Japanese aesthetic called "kawaii". In this blog post you can read what kawaii is, how long it has been around, where it comes from and why we like it so much.

What is Kawaii?

Kawaii is a Japanese term used to describe something cute, charming, or lovely. It is often associated with a particular style of art, such as anime or manga, which features cute and cuddly characters with big eyes and small noses and mouths. Kawaii can also refer to a specific type of fashion that focuses on a cute and youthful aesthetic. In general, kawaii simply means cute or lovely in Japanese and is often used to describe something that is perceived as such.

How long has Kawaii been around?

The term "kawaii" has been around in Japan since the 1970s and has since become an important part of Japanese pop culture and aesthetics. It started as a trend among young girls who liked to wear cute and colorful accessories and clothes, but has since spread to other age groups and sectors of Japanese society. Today, kawaii is an important part of Japanese fashion, design, entertainment, and even everyday life, gaining popularity worldwide as a unique and adorable aesthetic.

Where exactly did Kawaii originate?

Kawaii originated in Japan and has its roots in the culture of "cute" and "adorable" that emerged in the 1970s. The term kawaii was first used to describe cute and lovely features of animals, children and women. Kawaii's popularity grew rapidly and spread to various aspects of Japanese pop culture, including anime, manga, fashion, music, and product design.

Kawaii is often seen as an expression of Japanese society and culture, which traditionally focuses on showing respect and courtesy. Kawaii counterbalances the hierarchical and formal aspects of Japanese society and is a way of expressing emotions and individuality. The popularity of kawaii has now become a global phenomenon and is recognized as a unique and cute aesthetic outside of Japan as well.

Why do we like Kawaii so much?

People often like kawaii because of the positive emotions it evokes, such as joy, endearment, and happiness. Kawaii images, objects, and characters usually have big eyes, soft colors, curvy shapes, and a cute look that make them easy to access and evoke a sense of comfort and security. In addition, kawaii is also popular because it provides a way to express emotions and express individuality. Kawaii is a form of self-expression and can act as a counterweight to the hierarchical and formal aspects of society. Finally, kawaii can also be seen as a response to the stress and pressures of everyday life. Surrounding themselves with cute and lovely objects can help people relax and feel better.

Where do you find kawaii?

If you're looking for kawaii, then of course you have to be in Japan. But in the Netherlands you will also find very nice webshops where you can go very well for kawaii. For example , MostCutest has a large collection of kawaii consisting of Japanese Candy and Popin Cookin , kawaii surprise boxes , cute stationery , cute cuddly toys , kawaii craft kits and many more cute gifts !