The meaning of the term "Lolita" in Japanese is divergent from Nabokov's novel, and instead stems from the positive idealization and romanticization of girls' culture (
shōjo bunka) developed from the
Meiji period to the 20th century: an "innocent and ethereal creature, who deserves adoration from others while staying entirely passive". Girls' culture in Japan, reflected in cultural traditions such as the all-female
Takarazuka Revue and
shōjo manga (girls' comics), was influenced by the traditions of
Romanticism. Nabokov's
Lolita, first translated to Japanese in 1956, was interpreted by readers primarily as a story of Humbert entering the peaceful and unearthly world of the
shōjo, rather than through the lens of perverse desire and abuse. Some writers refer to women who wear such clothing as "Lolitas" but with little connection to the Nabokov novel or to sexualized usage of the term:Actually, there are quite a number of Japanese Lolitas who do not know about the Nabokov novel. I remember explaining it to someone and she was completely disgusted. Lolita is a modest style. Lolitas dress for themselves. It is clothing that reminds us that not everything has to do with trying to attract or please men. Lolita fashion is a subculture of cute (see
kawaii) or delicately feminine appearance reflecting what Hinton suggests is "an idyllic childhood, a girl’s world of frilly dresses and dolls." ==See also==