1993 Volume 1 Issue 1 Pages 29-33
This thesis focuses on the function of Mo in Heian period. In the descriptions of Mo, which appear in such literary works of Heian period as Makuranososhi and Murasakishikibu Nikki, two remarkable facts can be observed : 1) As the length of Mo got longer, it got difficult for hte wearer to make quick movements. 2) Mo, originally thought to be a decoration, ceased to function as a mere decoration as it got longer. Moreover, it became an important element to define and determine the slow, graceful, and official manner of the aristocrats. It can be concluded, therefore, that the function of Mo grew from a decoration of clothes into an important component of clothes representing the social status of the wearers.