Have you noticed that in various animes, dramas, movies, mangas, and other Japanese media there is an iconic scene that makes the heart race? A couple with a lot of shyness walks together when the girl decides to pull or hold the hem of the boy’s shirt? In this article, we will talk about this romantic Japanese gesture.
There isn’t a correct term, but if you search for fuku o tsukamu [服を掴む] which literally means to grab the clothing, you will find various images of this romantic scene. Another term you can look for is suso o tsukamu [裾をつかむ] and fuku no suso o hipparu [服の裾を引っ張る] which literally means to grab the hem.
Researching a bit about this, I realized that even the Japanese cannot fully explain the total meaning behind this gesture. The only thing we know is that the Japanese prefer indirect contact. Knowing a little more about this gesture can help us understand how a girl feels.
Why does grabbing clothing make the heart race?
Pulling or grabbing the hem, edge, or sleeve of clothing is a classic gesture that has attracted men for a long time. This probably happens because since childhood we are used to pulling an adult’s clothing to draw attention to something. This evokes a feeling of protection in adults.
Most of the time, the man does not take the initiative to hold the girl’s hand or get closer to her. The woman usually holds her clothing to indicate her intention to shorten this physical distance. This gesture is often done unconsciously, a significant result of Japanese shyness.
Japanese people love cute girls, and this gesture creates a huge impression of embarrassment which generates a lot of cuteness. This gesture clearly says to the man: I want to hold your hand but I’m shy. Girls also use this to avoid distancing themselves from their partner when they are in a crowded place and lack the confidence to hold hands.
What does grabbing the hem of the shirt mean?
Some claim that this gesture is like grabbing the boy’s heart. Grabbing the shirt is to openly display emotions and feelings, despite seemingly acting in the opposite way, staying behind the boy with face and eyes hidden. This also reminds me of the frustrated attempts to hold each other’s hands.
This gesture is one of the best ways to win over that boy, draw attention, or heat up your relationship. A bolder way is to hold directly onto the sleeve of the shirt near the hand, indicating the desire to hold it. Some women are bolder and grab the man from behind.
In the image above illustrated by kuro293939, he teaches a bit about the art of mangas, but we can gather some interesting information about the way girls usually hold onto the hems of shirts:
- With one foot forward and the other a bit back, it gives the feeling of holding with a bit of shyness;
- It’s a not very elegant way of holding due to fear. (Used in scenes where they go to a dangerous place, kimodameshi….);
- Holding with both hands gives the impression of being desperate not to be left behind;
- Holding with just one hand, and the other being closed, gives the impression that it took courage for her to act;
The ideal is to walk holding onto the boy’s clothing. Just touching it and quickly pulling away can create a basic impression of drawing attention to a certain subject. What do you think of this Japanese romantic gesture? Had you noticed this in animes and became curious? We await your opinions in the comments and your possible sharing.
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