Textile & Fashion

The short cape (capa) in the Spanish style became a male fashion item in Europe in the 16th century, and was brought to Japan. Capes were also worn by priests, and the Jesuits and Dominicans had black ones, the Franciscans brown and the Augustinians in grey ones (viz, the labels blackfriars and greyfriars in English). In Japan the word transmuted into kappa. Kappa were for outdoor use in inclement weather. This was the first example of the specially conceived outer garment in all Japanese history.