Relay Column: The Body & Fashion of "Half" – Considering "#Wagao Half" (Yu-Anis Ariga )
PROFILE
Yu-Anis Ariga
Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Information Studies, University of Tokyo, Special Research Fellow of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science. Specializing in sociology, studying race and ethnicity. Conducting research on people with multiple racial backgrounds, commonly referred to as "Mix," "Half (half)," or "Double." Publications include "How can 'Half' articulate experiences of prejudice and discrimination?" in "Sociologos" vol. 46 (2022), and "The formation of the in the postwar 'mixed children issue'" in "Jpanaese Sociological Review" vol. 290 (2022).
#Wagao Half
Due to my work focused on studying "Half," I've developed the habit of checking social media for topics related to "Half."(1) Recently, a friend informed me about the hashtag "#Wagao Half (#和顔ハーフ)" on Instagram (literally, "Japanese-faced half"). It appears to refer to "Half" individuals with a typically Japanese appearance—so I did a search, and sure enough, a plethora of photos showcasing the fashion and makeup of children and young women with such looks popped up.As someone with an Indian father who has frequently faced the questions—often intrusive—like "What kind of hafl are you?" or "Can you speak English or Indian languages?" upon meeting new people, I found myself nodding in recognition to the phrase "Japanese face (Wagao)," but also questioning why there is a conscious choice to use such a designation.
The Dominant Image of "Half" & the Issues Therein
What kind of image comes to mind when you hear "Half"? You might think of actors, models, idols, athletes... the various famous faces presented in the media. Research on "Half" has pointed out that the image of "Half" in Japan has been skewed towards a particular stereotype, aided by media representation.(2) This stereotypical image of "Half" is characterized by Caucasian features, deep-set eyes, double eyelids, bright and wide eyes, high noses, and good-looking appearances with great figures.This article is for members only.
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