First up is to finish last week's post about Shibuya and Harajuku. I'll finish posting about Harajuku and tell you a little bit about why I've spent so much time in that area.
(Walking towards Takeshite dori, you can see there are no cosplayers in my sights. Further proof that cosplay on the internet and cosplay in real life are two completely different things that people often do not understand. A note about this photo: if you look to the far right you can see a really sweet Back Country and Powder Ski Shop. Squee!)
Harajuku is a tourist destination like no other in Japan. Every year it pulls in thousands of tourists based on one simple cultural draw: The Fashion Scene of Harajuku. Of course, I cannot pretend to be apart from these tourists, as the first time I came to Japan in 2006 I couldn't wait to run down to Harajuku and see all the fashion movements and expressions going on. As an anthropology student pursuing my BA, I wanted to get research towards my senior thesis about Cosplay Culture in Japan and America. Of course, I didn't realize that cosplay is a lot harder to track and write about then initially expected. It's not just exploding out of the streets in Harajuku every Sunday. In fact, to find some really hard core cosplayers you have to get a lot closer to the places they hang out when they're not the type to show off their costumes in a crowded place. There are TONS of cosplayers here who only go to some very specific locations to engage in cosplay, and at first glance through the interwebs you really don't get that impression. If everyone believed everything they read on the internet about cosplay then they probably think Japan is just full of people dressed like characters all over the place! Unfortunately, this is not the case. I suggest going to places like conventions, parties and costume cafes to find some real cosplay going on.
Some teens browse some really cute tees right outside the entrance to Takeshita Dori. I personally happen to like the I Heart Inifinity ones.
Happy New Years Balloons over the Takeshite Dori sign.
Everything that I said about Harajuku is true, but I would never discredit the district from its role as a fashion mecca and breaking ground for a lot of expressions and movements. Absolutely come here if you want to see some of Tokyo's most interesting fashions and youth who enjoy expressing themselves through breakdancing, rock and roll, and other kinds of music and dance performances in nearby Yoyogi park and over on the famous bridge that leads to Meiji Jingu Mae (Meiji Shrine that is dedicated to the late Emperor Meiji. It resides in Harajuku and the police are very particular about breaking up public performances when an important event is going on within the grounds of the shrine).
Weekend shopping in Harajuku.
These stairs lead to Body Line, famous for their gothic and lolita fashions which include the newly defined subcategories like Hime Loli (Princess Lolita) and Wa Loli (utilizing traditional Japanese fashions like the Kimono with a gothic flair).
Since photography is banned inside the store (and they are VERY strict about this), this photo was the best I could do. Sorry about the poor lighting! I should go back at night when there is only back-lighting to illuminate the outfits.
This photo advertises some of the major brands in Gothic and Lolita fashions at this time. If you pick up a copy of The Gothic and Lolita Bible magazine (available in the US) you can see and learn a lot about these fashions. They're really quite fascinating!
So, I spotted this adorable Haruhi Suzumiya costume outside a cosplay costume shop in Harajuku and wanted it because I feel my sewing abilities to be inadequate when it comes to making a costume like this. Plus, I love Haruhi. So I went upstairs to try this on and came to realize (again) that I'm too big for Japanese clothing. Even though I'm only a 5-6 Women's in the States it is too big even for a Medium MENS SIZED COSTUME! Sad face...that's all I have to say about that.
This Japanese store really reminded me of Mexicali Blues if all they carried was stuff from Asia. Thought it was pretty neat though! Tried to explain to the clerk that I had worked at a similar store in the US, called Mexicali Blues, but I don't think I was articulate enough in Japanese to get my point across.
To the girl on the right: whoever you are, I love your hair extensions! So Kawaii! (cute)
More adorable fashions in the world of the cute girls of Harajuku. You know what? I would be totally okay with wearing fuzzy bunny ears as a winter hat all the time. Maybe next time I will pick up a hat and rock that look as the random girl gaijin in Kawaii wear.
The gothic gown at this perfume stand was simply amazing. I love the colors and traditional look.
As night approaches, this blurry shot shows us making our way to Meiji Jingu Mae Shrine to see the new years celebrations and blessings. It's January 9th today but there are still some festivities going on to celebrate the new year. Also, Monday is coming-of-age day in Japan and a national holiday celebrating those who have turned 20 this year and are now adults. You see lots of young women and men in traditional Japanese kimonos and the like this weekend around Tokyo.
As darkness approaches, the electric versions of these traditional lanterns spark to life and illuminate our path to the shrine.
More beautiful paper lanterns.
In the distance: a young photographer with a Nikon tries to get a good detail shot on some of the paper lanterns.
The entrance to the shrine is currently adorned with lots of New Years blessings and Woodblocks celebrating 2010 as the Year of the Tiger. I was born in 1986 so it is said to be lucky that the year of the tiger has come again! (This also means I will turn 24 this year!)
Close up on the gigantic Tiger Woodblock. I think they are extremely cool and I love the hand-painted design of the tiger surrounded by calligraphy.
It's so crowded that Brian and I actually can't get anywhere near the shrine today. Everyone is waiting in line to receive New Years and/or Coming of Age Day blessings. Instead we decide to snap this shot of the shrine overshadowed by the Shinjuku version of the Empire State Building.
Leaving the shrine area, you can see that the exit is colored with the falling sun, and we decide to head out for the day and continue our adventures after some well-deserved sleep. We're still recovering from Jet lag almost a week later at this point, and sleeping when the sun is down is pretty much the only way to effectively convert to the new sleep schedule!
That's it for now. Thanks for reading!
Lady Lara Jones and Brian Jones
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