Rekijo and Rekidol

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These days in Japan an increasing number of people are claiming to be “Rekijo” or “Rekidol.” The word Rekijo describes women who are enthusiastic about history. And Rekidol is used to describe women who often started out as bloggers, and then became such popular figures that they became idols on TV. Particularly what appears to capture their hearts most is the **Sengoku era, or age of civil strife. Today history books are seeing an increase in sales. The top 3 most popular military commanders among these women are as follows.
No.3 Kanetsugu Naoe
No.2 Masamune Date
No.1 Yukimura Sanada.

What triggered this phenomenal fad among Japanese women is probably the good-looking guys who appear in games or Manga based on historical figures during the Sengoku era. These women, who are first drawn to the characters’ looks, become interested in history, and some of them even visit historical places, buy souvenirs, and become collectors of historical items.

There are even some women who put crests of their favorite military commanders on their mobile phone’s screen. Also, in some sightseeing areas that have close ties to history, people are seizing this opportunity to bring in more female tourists with one idea after another. Moreover, during a wedding reception, it’s becoming popular that a groom changes his attire to a military commander costume of the Sengoku era, and declaim “Let’s start the new chapter of our life together!” What a line! It’s such an old school line. At any rate, regardless of this fad, I think that we should learn about our favorite era of history.

This unprecedented popularity of history makes me wonder if it reflects the current status of Japan’s society. Due to the lack of leadership we can put a strong faith in, little royal sentiment, and the lack of masculinity some people long for the past. I wonder if this is an implication of modern women feeling unsatisfactory with today’s society or men. What do you think? (English translation: Culips)

**Sengoku era
(approx. 1467 – 1615), the period when the Muromachi shogunate (feudal government) was losing its power, many small countries were at war, and the heads of each country fought to conquer the whole nation, a maelstrom of war period. Many smaller countries beat bigger forces, and subordinate warriors turned against their lords. This period is also called “Gekokujo” characterized by inferior countries overthrowing large powerful ones.