Relay Column: Dreaming of the Future to Survive These Turbulent Times (Teruyuki Hashimoto)

This paper connects my usual interest in researching science fiction novels with the keyword of survival concerning clothing and technology.

The average temperature and ultraviolet radiation levels keep rising every year. The Japan Chemical Fiber Association's page on "Moisture Absorption and Quick Drying" showcases an array of synthetic fiber manufacturers' confident creations. Each of these materials is designed to help withstand the hot and humid summers. Regions that once had no need for air conditioning are now finding their survival at risk without it. Clothing serves as essential gear for protecting daily life.

The theme of the SF anthology "Tomorrow’s Parties: Life in the Anthropocene" (MIT Press, 2022), edited by Jonathan Strahan, revolves around life in the Anthropocene[1]. This collection features new short stories by leading contemporary science fiction writers depicting citizens who must survive in harsh environments and societies. The advancement of future technologies is also a key theme. In the preface, Strahan states, "In my view, science fiction is a fiction that looks at today’s issues through the lens of tomorrow, helping us better understand the world we live in." Notably, the book's cover and illustrations by Sean Bodley depict individuals humorously enhancing or extending their bodies with clothing and equipment.

Costume designers Jacqueline West and Bob Morgan had to create hundreds of costumes for the epic film "Dune" (2021), set in a futuristic desert. The "stillsuit," which appears in the original novel, is a garment designed to recycle moisture lost from the human body. They aimed to express such a function in the clothing while ensuring it remained lightweight enough for actors to wear comfortably, especially in preparation for filming under the intense heat of the Middle East, complete with cooling packs to regulate body temperature. Their creativity earned them a nomination for the Academy Award for Costume Design. SF novels published in the mid-1960s also addressed resource wastage and environmental issues. Humanity has been unable to mitigate environmental degradation for over half a century since then.

Meanwhile, Japan also has a fashion designer focused on the theme of "survival through clothing." Kosuke Tsumura founded the brand FINAL HOME in 1994. At the time, environmental issues were becoming a significant concern, and SF films like "Blade Runner" and "AKIRA" depicted bleak futures. Tsumura hypothesized, "If civilization were to be destroyed, leaving just a few survivors, how would they survive and with what resources?" He concluded that only non-biodegradable products like plastics and nylons would remain, which could be used to create protective items[2]. He released clothing and accessories primarily using synthetic fiber materials[3], and initiatives such as recycling and donating part of the profits were ahead of their time. However, the Harajuku flagship store closed in 2013, marking the end of all locations. Between the brand's inception and conclusion, significant events like the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake and the Great East Japan Earthquake occurred. Tsumura loaded a coat from FINAL HOME into his car and headed to the disaster areas following the Great East Japan Earthquake[4].