Totoro is very popular in China, the people there value something about how humans and nature can live together in peace. This idea comes from an old philosophy called Daoism and some old Chinese myths. But this cultural exchange it’s not only one-way. Ghibli’s stories, and Totoro’s stories, have crossed borders and have been shared with many. Picture this: Totoro, leaving its lush Japanese countryside behind, now goes to a new place. It’s not staying in Japan anymore. Totoro heads to Yunnan, China. And in this new place, it wears the traditional clothing of the Dai ethnic group. It’s an interesting twist, isn't it?
Yunnan, which is located in the southwest part of China, is known for a number of things, such as beautiful scenery, rich wildlife, and a varied culture that has variety (Zomer et al., 2014). The Dai people, who belong to the area, have special ways, festivals with colors, and a style that is different from others. Putting Totoro into Dai-style clothes is not an idea that is entirely new. It is something that connects two different cultures together and also shows another side of tradition.
Totoro is now dressed in clothing that belongs to the Dai people, but why is this the case? The colors, the fabrics, and all the decorations on the clothes, what could they actually mean? What knowledge about the history and culture of the Dai people is possible to gain from this? First, we must understand the Dai group, a people whose way of life is formed through Buddhism, surrounding nature, and customs that have been there for a long time.