Wang Yi, Graduate School of Human Cultures_Eng

Study Abroad in Japan ; Through the Eyes of a Chinese Student
Wang Yi, Division of Life Style Studies

Studying at The University of Shiga Prefecture:
A Journey to Explore New Values in Fashion Design

I entered The University of Shiga Prefecture in October 2019 as a research student. Before that, I had spent four years majoring in fashion design at the Hubei Institute of Fine Arts in China. Since childhood, I frequently watched Japanese anime and music programs, and I developed a deep interest in Japanese culture. While studying Japanese fashion culture during my university years, I learned about the many designers who rose to global prominence from Japan after the 1970s. This inspired me to dream of someday studying fashion in Japan.

While searching for universities to study abroad at, I discovered the Department of Living Design at The University of Shiga Prefecture. In particular, Professor Morishita's laboratory focuses on research in clothing design that contributes to a beautiful and comfortable life. Rather than simply creating attractive clothing, the lab emphasizes exploring new values in fashion design by examining issues related to clothing and daily life from the perspective of the wearer. I was strongly drawn to this perspective, which I had never considered before. Wanting to acquire new knowledge here, I made the decision to study abroad.

To meet the admission requirements, I passed the JLPT N1 and scored 84 on the TOEFL before entering the university. I thought this would be enough for daily life, but once I began studying at The University of Shiga Prefecture, I struggled greatly with writing in Japanese. In order to advance to the master's program, I spent a year reading academic papers and summarizing newspaper articles under the guidance of my advisor, Professor Aoi Morishita. Thanks to this effort, I was successfully admitted to the master's program in April 2021.

However, due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, face-to-face classes and interactions were restricted. There were days when I felt lonely due to limited opportunities to connect with others. Even during such difficult times, I was able to continue my research by discussing and encouraging one another with Professor Morishita and my lab mates online. Looking back, I feel that this experience helped me grow tremendously.

During my master's program, while pursuing research on fashion illustration--a topic of great interest to me--I actively participated in various lab activities. These included an upcycling event for textile products organized by EWC (en-we-cle) and the "Making Workshop" hosted by Kyoto Print Association (KPA), an event promoting printed textile production from Kyoto. Furthermore, through my experience as a TA in the Basic Fashion Design course, I discovered the joy of teaching, which led me to dream of pursuing a career in education. To achieve this dream, I felt the need to further deepen my knowledge, so I decided to advance to the doctoral program.

In the doctoral program, in addition to academic presentations and research activities, I also participated in community collaboration projects as part of my lab work. One such project was MAIBARA 2024 OBACHANS' COLLECTION - Charming in Style and Life, held on October 20, 2024. For this event, we redesigned treasured but long-unworn garments belonging to women aged 55 and older and held a fashion show. Through the process of redesigning clothing that had not been worn for decades due to changes in body shape, age, or health conditions, I was able to build meaningful connections with many of the participants. The moment I saw the women walking the runway with confidence and radiant smiles, wearing their beautifully remade garments, I felt deeply grateful to be part of the project.

I also took part in designing costumes for the "hospitality performance" themed around Shiga's four seasons at the 2025 National Sports Festival. We held numerous meetings to refine the materials, colors, and textiles to express "the gentle spirit of Shiga." Seeing the performers dance on stage wearing the completed costumes filled me with emotion. Additionally, in October 2025, I participated in the Nagahama Kimono AWARDS, where I presented a piece made with traditional hama-chirimen silk. By blending kimono with contemporary fashion, I expressed new attraction of traditional materials and gained a deeper appreciation for the diversity of kimono culture.

I am currently working on my doctoral dissertation, titled "An Analysis of Fashion Trends Based on Fashion Illustration: Trends from the 1970s to the 2020s Observed Through Linear Expression in Design Drawings." By quantitatively analyzing fashion sketches, I aim to explore new possibilities for supporting future fashion design.

The life I have led at The University of Shiga Prefecture has been truly irreplaceable. In its calm, nature-rich environment, I have gained countless insights and discoveries through encounters with local people and fellow students. Everything I have learned, every person I have met, and each day I have accumulated here will remain a lifelong treasure.

(December, 2025)