As we all do from time to time, Japanese people look back through history to find a simpler time, far from the stresses of modern life and technology.
One such period is known as the Showa era, but more particularly within that era the post-war period from the 1960s to the 1980s is remembered as a golden time for Japan.
Japan’s post-war recovery saw rapid economic growth through the 1950s and 60s and by the 1980s Japan had become one of the world’s leading economies.
This period saw the flourishing of Japanese pop culture, including anime, manga, film and music and was a time of vibrant cultural expression, optimism and modernization. During this time, fashion, design and even day to day culture began to evolve and incorporate Western influences.
From Showa era to Showa Retro
Although the Showa era dates from the 1920s, because of the general positivity and optimism of the 1960s, 70s and 80s, this period is looked back on with fondness and nostalgia by modern Japanese people.
Through the power of childhood memories and a desire to relive this golden era, the designs, fashions and styles from that time have been revived into a modern style known as Showa Retro.
The Showa Retro aesthetic has become a distinctly Japanese style that perfectly blends a traditional Japanese way of doing things with the colour pallette, graphic design and interior fashions of the Western mid-century modern era.
The trend has caught on and today people are drawn to the warmth and cosy aesthetic of Showa Retro, taking pleasure in incorporating these vintage elements into homes, cafés and shops.
If you visit Japan, you’re sure to find touches of Showa Retro tucked away in boutiques, cosy restaurants and even on the homeware floors of large department stores.
Western influence on Showa Retro style
After World War II, Japan underwent significant Westernisation and the 1950s and 60s saw an influx of Western goods, media and culture. This introduced new aesthetics to Japan and the adoption of Western-style furniture, home appliances and design into Japanese homes became popular.
As the decades progressed, the bold patterns, bright colours and modern designs seen in Western fashion during the sixties and seventies were also reflected in Japanese interior decor, mixing these modern trends with more traditional elements.
This fusion created a unique style that was distinctly Japanese yet unmistakably influenced by Western aesthetics.
Japanese interpretation and evolution of Western aesthetics
While Western influence played a significant role, it’s important to note that Japan didn’t simply copy Western styles. Instead, these influences were reinterpreted through a Japanese lens.
Japanese designers often combined Western boldness with traditional Japanese motifs, such as floral patterns, nature scenes and geometric designs rooted in Japanese culture. This blend created a style that felt both modern and familiar to Japanese consumers.
It is during this time that the concept of 'kawaii' (cuteness) emerged. Japanese designers created kitschy, whimsical designs that had a playful, childlike appeal. This kawaii aesthetic, while influenced by Western cartoons and toys, developed its own unique identity in Japan.
This ability to take external influences and adapt them so they feel completely integrated into their own culture is part of what makes Japanese design so fascinating and globally admired.
How to incorporate Showa Retro into your own décor
Showa Retro style is a warm and colourful style that will chime with many of us; it reminds us of our parents’ or grandparents’ homes, the homes we grew up in.
Adding these design elements to your own living space creates a cosy, familiar feeling and can be very effective when combined with more modern furniture and colour palettes.
Too much, however, can make you feel like you’re living in a museum or feel overwhelmed with clutter! Incorporating a few pieces that mix and match with your own home style can help to strike a balance between overly nostalgic and liveable functionality.
Here are some ideas for bringing Japanese Showa Retro into your home.
Furniture:
Charity shops and flea markets can be great for picking up inexpensive furniture that fits perfectly with the Showa Retro aesthetic. Dark woods in simple functional designs will give you the right look and a wooden coffee table, bookshelves or even a small counter alongside vintage chairs will evoke the classic kissaten feel.
Don’t worry if things look a little worn. Most items can be smartened up with a little sanding or small repairs but embracing the imperfections and character of a piece of furniture is about as Japanese as you can get!
Adding natural wood accents such as wooden trays, tableware or wall panels bring in that natural, warm texture that’s characteristic of Showa Retro interiors.
Create cosy nooks or corners with a small table and a couple of chairs. This can mimic the secluded, peaceful spaces often found in retro kissaten where you can enjoy coffee in relaxing, laid-back setting.
Colors and textures:
A focus on warm tones like mustard yellows, oranges, olive green, muted reds and browns are all very evocative of the Showa Retro era and, used as accent colours, go well with modern neutrals.
Look for them in soft textures such as wool blankets, rugs and vintage fabrics.
Traditional designs on textiles, ceramics and other home accessories will ensure that you keep the Japanese theme going.
Mount Fuji, Japan’s iconic mountain is often depicted in prints and paintings and in the Showa era Fuji-san became a popular motif, symbolising Japan's natural beauty and cultural heritage.
Geometric patterns like Seigaiha (wave pattern), Asanoha (hemp leaf) and Kikkō (tortoise shell) are traditional Japanese designs often seen in textiles and décor and have Showa Retro appeal.
Tableware and ceramics:
Cups, plates and other tableware are a good way to add touches of colour and cute design that will feel very Showa Retro. Cherry blossom, leaf shapes and pastel colours will blend well with existing crockery and create an informal eclectic mix.
Natural wood from bowls, serving platters and chopsticks along with fabric table mats and table runners also add warmth and individuality.
Personal touches for a cosy feel:
Adding your own personal style will create a comfortable atmosphere that’s also warm and inviting to others.
Displaying your Japanese souvenirs will bring back memories and make the space feel unique and loved. And of course the colours and patterns will give you inspiration for other accessories and homeware.
Family photos in retro or handmade frames are another great way to make your rooms feel inviting and personalised. Japanese posters, prints and vintage signs add visual interest to bare walls and really bring in that Japanese retro vibe.
By combining these elements with your own furniture and décor, you can develop a cosy, nostalgic atmosphere that reflects the Japanese Showa Retro theme and offers a perfect setting to relax, unwind and welcome guests.
Characters goods and motifs:
Japanese culture is full of characters and pretty motifs and many of these hark back to the Showa era.
If, like me, you have a collection of ‘Gachapon’ figures and toys why not display them on mini shelves or hanging from a pin-board. Mixed in with photos, tickets and other memorabilia, they make a cute reminder of past trips or of the people who gave them to me.
The Kewpie Mayo baby, Maneki-neko lucky cat, Kokeshi and Daruma dolls all go well with the playful, slightly kitsch aesthetic of Showa Retro.
Family crests known as kamon had a historical significance but became popular again during the Showa era. They featured in various ways, from formal wear to home décor, as they represented a connection to Japanese tradition.
Often circular in design, these traditional emblems feature motifs like flowers, leaves and geometric shapes and their clean lines don’t look at all out of place with more modern interiors.
A Japanese trend filled with warmth
Traditional Japanese interior design leans heavily on minimalism, simplicity and a high-end uncluttered feel. This is lovely, of course, but not always compatible with everyday living and more practical considerations.
Showa Retro is still a very Japanese aesthetic. It is colourful, eclectic and may be a little more attainable for most people.
Showa Retro is a celebration of Japan's cultural and design history during a time of significant transformation for the country. It’s notable for its blend of traditional Japanese and Western influences and has a warm, nostalgic aesthetic that resonates with many people today.
Bringing elements of Showa Retro into our modern homes adds fun and colour and projects an appreciation of an ‘everyday’ Japanese style that remains popular both within and outside of Japan.
Additional photography:
Photo by Daniel Hooper 🌊 on Unsplash
