TOKYO!
After a rough start which involved me missing my flight by 2 minutes, I arrived in Tokyo for the Prefectural Advisor Conference on Thursday morning. I think this conference was overall better than the first. I learned a lot of information that I'm sure will prove helpful in the upcoming months.
During one of the workshops we were given a quiz to see if we were optimists or pessimists. I was absolutely positive that I was the latter, but--SURPRISE!--I'm a very optimistic person according to the outcome. My results also said that I think extremely highly of myself. Grrr... Life was better when I thought I was an insecure pessimist. Now I'm just another conceited optimist. What a loser I am! (As you can see, I'm working hard to regain my insecure pessimist status.)
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You had to see this coming. It was inevitable that I would write about Harajuku, Tokyo--the epicenter of modern Japanese fashion where the J-youth come dressed in their creative and outrageous costumes to parade about with their friends. My Japan experience would not have been complete without meeting Goth-Lolita and her friends, who can be found hanging out by the JR Harajuku train station every Sunday without fail. Check out some pics of the zoku (tribe):
A typical angry looking goth-lolita.
A cute couple.
Either a very confident or very insecure trio.
Group of 4 going for an androgynous look. (For some reason, I can picture Jess dressing like the one on the far right, can't you?)
Supa kawaii! (That's super cute in Japanese.)*
You can be stylish even while wearing a medical mask.
A lot of the kids were fixing up after arrival... Could it be Mommy and Daddy haven't met Alter-Ego?
Harajuku Girl?
*Quote from Gwen Stefani's "Harajuku Girls"--Yes, my corny humor has reached a new low.
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Rock & Roll Never Dies
Before the goth-lolita fashion movement, Harajuku was home to Elvis wannabes called Takenokozoku. Their bizarre subculture faded away years and years ago but, sadly, someone forgot to tell the above gang of 40-ish rockabillies this. These fashion dinosaurs were gathered round in a circle, taking turns breakdancing Fonzie-style in Yoyogi Park. You gotta admire their doggedness.
Too cool for words.
:
excellent photos! whats your opinion on Gwen's pro-Japanisms then?
GROOVY BABY!!!
Pete
These pics are fantastic!!! I love them! Cheers,
Sue
Kat: I really think people are making way too big of deal about Gwen Stefani exploiting and oversimplifying Japanese culture to promote her music and clothing line. It's overdone and slightly off-putting in parts of her album, but, overall, I think it's great that she's getting people interested in Japan that otherwise wouldn't care. Yes, she's advertising Harajuku for her own benefit, but she's also paying tribute to it (although exactly which takes priority is debatable). In the long run, I think it's really good for the country. But of course, I'm biased when it comes to chicks in their 30s who aren't afraid to experiment with strange fashion. ;)
Sleazy Angel Boy: I could actually see you getting dressed up and dancing with the overaged Fonzies.
Sue: Thanks!
Those are some funky outfits.
really cool pics! will definately be checking out harajuku when i go to tokyo
I loved Harajuku. A definate highlite in my memories. Wish I had taken more photos though. I think I will try to cram another visit in...
Speaka: That hat of yours isn't too un-funky, either.
Selena: Just make sure it's on a Sunday. That's when all the kids come out.
TJ: Do go again! I'd like to see your pictoral interpretation.
Thanks? :)
...well, I suppose it's better than being lumped in with the elvis hopefuls. (in reference to the pic with my possible outfit) Are you going to dress goth at the next con?
Speaka: You're welcome! :)
Jess: It all depends. Hubby may return early to the States leaving me with 2 little ones. Would it be kid friendly? More importantly, do you think it would scar my kids for life if they saw me dressed in goth?
Well, at the Fukuoka Con I saw mothers with little kids...who they had dressed up.... There were definitely kids there, but I don't know how scarring it might be for your children to accidently pick up the wrong comic and you have to explain what it's all about. Cosplay is probably the least of your worries. haha. But, I think you'd manage. You'd have plenty of extra hands around if you needed to herd the little ones while you posed for pictures. ^_-
Great pics. Harajuku Girl? It's a man baby!
Jess: If I can find an outfit (and convince myself it's worth paying for) I'll do it. But only if I don't have to ride the train in costume. Let me know when you have details.
anonymous: So you like pictures of men dressed as women? JK...I don't even know who you are.
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