Zentai: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 06:34, 23 June 2005

Revision as of 06:45, 23 June 2005

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Skin tight suits that cover the entire body are commonly called '''zentai''', a(from word taken fromthe Japanese, where it is usually written 「ゼンタイ」). This is possibly a contraction of 「''zenshin taitsu'' (全身タイツ」 (''zenshin taitsu'',) or "full-body tights), another term used to describe the garment in [[Japan]]". Zentai is most commonly made using nylon/spandex blends, but other materials such as cotton and wool are used as well.

Such suits are used in the arts to diminish the presence of an actor in a scene. In fact, in the traditional Japanese art of puppetry called [[bunraku]] the apprentice performers are completely covered in black garments against a black background to produce the same effect. Zentai is also used by artists as a medium to accentuate the body, sometimes making use of vibrant patterns. By making the performer anonymous, the performance of the body itself becomes the focus. Flesh tone cotton suits are often used by [[cosplay]]ers in Japan to provide a base layer that looks like the [[cel]]-shaded skin of the animated character.

In film and television [[special effects]], solid-colored zentai suits canare besometimes used to [[chroma key|chroma-key]] or digitally remove actors from a scene.

Practical uses aside, zentai is most often associated with [[spandex fetishism]]. Indeed, in''zentai Japanfecchi'' there is a term 「(ゼンタイフェチ」 (zentai fecchi) which literally means "zentai fetish". ThereSome arezentai a few reasons one might enjoy the gament in this way. Somefetishists are after the experience of [[total enclosure]], while for others it (paradoxically) provides a way to anonymously enjoy [[exhibitionism]]. One might also experience it as a form of [[sexual_bondage]], even though it does not restrict the motion of the body.

However, there are some who enjoy zentai for the [[sensation|sensory]] novelty or physical comfort without any sexual connotations. People with [[autism]] can find it calming to wear spandex garments. Some even find it useful as an aid for meditation. It can provide a medium for body awareness, a focus for mediatation via the senses, or a symbolic barrier between the self and the world.