Hello, and please look at me

 

A camera is a great way to make friends. Why are these boys so friendly when approached by the older, foreign pervert?

Fashion Conundrum #4: Does the mask add just the right amount of mystery with bare calves?

The mask is many things: courtesy, self-protection, anti-social, or just wanting a few extra centimeters of space on the train. But with this bare calves outfit with jacket matching the New Balance running shoes, the mask also obscures just enough to add another layer of intrigue and attraction. Plus, it seems he reads.

Dear reader, would you wear a mask to attract the attention of foreign pervs?

Celebratory drunken youth on snowy Seijin no hi at Nakano Sun Plaza

I vote for Team Delinquent. Now that the film has been developed, there will be many days of male yankii glory. So much pomp, excitement, make-up, skin color innovation, and camaraderie.

Of the many cliques celebrating their 20th years of life, including the wanna-be hosts, wanna-be salarymen, and yankii ladies, it’s the delinquent boys who seem so welcoming to this teetotaling, foreign pervert. I heard a few ladies snickering in jealousy, but I focused instead on male beauty, pride, and friendship.

Snow did not stop the stretch Lincolns from delivering yankiis to Nakano’s Sun Plaza

Young men dressed in kimonos celebrate turning 20 at Nakano Sun Plaza’s Seiji No Hi coming of age ceremony. Overheard, 「お大人になちゃった。」Roughly translated, it means, “Oh shit, we’ve become adults.” As usual, the heavily inebriated youth were extremely friendly to the lone foreign lurker. Congratulations, everyone, and good luck!

Sumo wrestler at foreign registration counter in front of me

I was more than thrilled that the person at the foreign registration counter in front of me was a very well dressed and coiffed sumo wrestler. I’ve heard there’s a sumo “stable” in Nakano, so I wasn’t completely surprised by what felt like a close encounter with royalty. I have a soft spot for these big boys!

Arashi welcomes foreign tourists back to Japan

Would five effeminate, overly-styled men fill your head with a desire to visit Japan and eliminate all memories of nuclear disaster and fall-out? That’s apparently the Japanese tourist authority dreams. One foreign resident designer laughed that few outside Japan would know the commercial charms of Arashi, and that the contexts are hard to understand for those with limited knowledge of Japan.

Who would be better? The womyn’s soccer team, Nadeshiko? The almost invisible Royal Family? The CEO of TEPCO (Tokyo Electric Power Company, owner & operator of the Fukushima nuke plant)? Pokemon?

Ni-chome’s omasturi photos

Ni-chome, Tokyo’s gay bar district in Shinjuku, hosted a summer festival, or omatsuri, the day after the Tokyo Pride Parade two weekends ago. Lots of color: traditional omikoshi, or portable shrine carrying; drag and summer yukatas; foreigners looking Japanese and Japanese looking foreign; some youths who look alien in their highly processed hair; an odd World War II cosplay (even more bizarre since the date was August 15, which marks Japan’s surrender); and a variety of frozen ice, giant sausages on sticks, and plenty of beer in cans.

More Tokyo Pride Parade drag

So much fun drag at the Tokyo Pride Parade last weekend. I love how Marie Antoinette stands near the 60s mod flight attendant (whom the husband thinks is a famous person; anyone know who she is?).

The drag fun also included some real women in fantastic outfits, including this very happy pink bunny above. I love how the lady below made her dress and hat and necklace all out of the ubiquitous blue sheet.

There was also some fierce foreign drag.

An interesting “international” couple with lady towering over gent.

And another variation of the American flag as costume.