Rumah Batik >> History Of Hokokai Batiks

Batik Java Hokokai

A symbol influence of conquest Japan in Indonesia

(1942 - 1945 )

Batik Hokokai or Batik Java Hokokai originated from the coastal area in Java Island. Batik from the coastal area usually very rapidly absorbed new elements which occur in the society.

We can take two examples as Batik Belanda (Holland Batiks) with bouquet pattern which dominated by flowers in a bouquet or Batik Riding Hood which inspired by children's story The Little Riding Hood.

Chinese people in Indonesia also giving influence to the evolution of batik patterns. They were affixed Chinese Culture to their batik pattern. So, the Chinese batiks dominated by Hong bird, Peacock, and Lion.

It was the beginning of presence batik from coastal area in Indonesia.

Batik Hokokai was influenced by Japanese colonial period in Indonesia in order to conquest of East Asia. At that time, original handmade batiks should have names relation to Japan. It was beginning Batik Hokokai was born.

Due to Japanese Colonial period in Indonesia only for 3,5 years, that's why existence of information about this batik is measly. Yet, no any official articles about the presence of this batik.

Batiks was created between 1942 to 1945 always called Hokokai Batiks. The creators of batik said they introduced Batik Hokokai as a sign or a symbol of adjustment to the new rulers so the creators get a place to show their expression.

Batik Hokokai reminds us of a canvas, which each of field contains ornaments. Usually, pattern of Hokokai Batiks dominated by bright colors with Sakura flowers, lotus, lily, chrysanthemum, or orchid. The most prominent characteristic of this batiks is flowers. But sometimes, batik creators affixed of pattern on this batik with butterfly and peacock. Butterfly and peacock for Japanese as symbolizes of elegance.

Although its name related to Japan as well as appeared at Japanese Colonial period, actually Hokokai Batiks was not produced fo Japanese but Indonesian itself. At the beginning of its appearance, Batik Java Hokokai was ordered from Batik Hokokai Foundation for Indonesian people whose considered instrumental in Japan Propaganda.

Shortly, because the pattern of this batiks so bright with many flower ornaments, Batik Hokokai being fashion icon immediately. Many rich people in Indonesia bought up this type of batiks.

After World War II, Japanese power collapse and pressed Japanese Colonial to left Indonesia. This time batiks as fashion industry came into low tide period. But, batik creators kept developed batiks pattern. And this is a new era for Batik New Java.