"Sakura" tartan -- new design by David McGill

[Tim Little]

Noticed this last week on the BBC website, but didn't see a mention here:

A designer has created a tartan for Japan which draws inspiration from the country's fascination with cherry blossom and a Scottish industrialist.

David McGill, from Edinburgh, has previously designed tartans for Poland, France and Norway.

His latest design has still to be woven, but on paper includes the colours pink, white, green and brown.

While researching the design, he looked into the story of Fraserburgh-born Thomas Glover, the "Scottish Samurai".

The new tartan has also had input from Shizue Melvin, from Japan, who is married to a Scottish businessman.

The design is called sakura, Japanese for cherry blossom.

More here.

The tartan itself:

[Ayin McFye]

That's neat, but wow, I personally don't think I could ever wear something like that. It's always cool though to hear about newly inspired tartans. I'd be interested in seeing that pleated and in actual kilt format rather than just as an image. sometimes the strangest plaids turn out to be nice looking kilts.

Good find, and thanks for sharing!

[CDNSushi]

Someone sure beat that tartan with an ugly stick! Way too pastel and the combination of light pink and mint green make me shudder.

However, all is not lost. Even though I wouldn't wear that, if it were made into a mini-kilt for my wife, or perhaps something for HER to wear, I'd be completely alright with it.

For a man though? Not a very masculine product. I realize Japanese men run around the country wearing pink shirts and talking on Hello Kitty cellphones but they are freaks too. Japanese women actually do seem to prefer men that talk, act and dress like well, men. I think that's in part why the local lasses are often attracted to foreigners -- not because of the exoticism but because of the perception of a few more "primal" alpha-male-like qualities that many young men here seem to lack.

Whatever rattles your chain in the end, I suppose. But just because you CAN doesn't always mean you SHOULD.

[Howard Clark]

None of the Japanese men I know are anything like that. Of course, almost all the Japanese men I am acquainted with either make swords, or train others to use them. Mostly a pretty traditional bunch. And older, for the most part. Well, at least not kids.

Interesting tartan, but I don't think I would be brave enough to wear it either.

[IrishGodfather]

Thats a pretty tartan, I probably wouldn't wear it, but it is gorgeous.

[Rex_Tremende]

It was 1980-something. The user manual on how to be whi... I mean preppy stipulated that Bloody Mary's should be served at all back yard barbeques, Alligator shirts and madras shorts were required attire (alternately a button-down, starched oxford shirt, corduroy trousers embroidered with lobsters, and tassel loafers with no socks), and pink and green were the ULTIMATE colors!

That's all I can think of at this very moment. I don't know why.

[fudgeman]

Frankly, I think it would make a better table cloth than a kilt but I'll hold off final judgement until I see it in kilt form.

[DTrain]

I agree with the others that at first glance I think mini-kilt or kilted skirt for the ladies. I would be curious to see it in a full manly kilt before passing final judgement.

[Carolina Kiltman]

I agree that it is too pastel for good balance. The colours, if more intense (saturated, and brought down the gray scale a bit) would improve it. It does look definitely feminine as it is. My tuppence worth.

[Marshal Moroni]

Always good to see a new tartan, Rex is right I remember wearing pink bow ties, alligator shirts, etc.

Thank goodness I outgrew the need to follow trends.

Sakura would make a great dress for my Wife or Daughters, not a tartan I would be willing to wear.

Cheers,

Marshal Moroni

PS, No I do not have a Hello Kitty cellphone, that would be my Sister's.