Is bicycle mother drag the most moe moe?

Sorry dear readers, I cannot find an illustration. Thanks to the hubb for providing these excellent images!

Last week I re-met the lovely director and producer Charles Herman-Wurmfeld at the Tokyo Lesbian and Gay Film Festival talking about his latest film “Hollywood, J’Adore,” directed by his spouse Jason Bushman. As first time visitors to Japan, Charles and  Jason were astonished to see gardens, Shinto temples, and fashion. Charles pointed out the incredible construction worker drag (my favorite, in addition to the balloon pants, are the white rubber boots).

But truly his moe-est moe is his fascination with the summer anti-sun strategy of the Japanese bicycle mothers. Full gloves past the elbow for bike riding, sometimes attached directly to the handlebar for 100% compliance. And the enormous plastic UV shield that covers the face. It’s a mama-cheri look that rivals the burqa for full coverage.

Charles, being in his 40s, immediately realized how practical that would be for biking in Silver Lake and Los Angeles. I am very disappointed not to find a proper image of this everyday outfit that receives far less attention than construction worker, ramen chef, Tokyo Metro worker, and, of course, school girls.

Can anyone please send in a photo of this moe get-up?! Actually, now I am only missing the image of the front visor. You know, the one that goes from crown of the head to below the chin!

Senior fashion in the park

In Tokyo, the seniors rock the fashion world in unexpected bursts of ostentation. I love how this grand daddy is mixing shorts and dark socks, white gloves and a dog in a sweater. I spotted him outside a public bathroom in one of my favorite urban parks. He seemed very popular with the ladies, and I am certain he is well known in these parts.

Excessive uniformed service

My friend Bryan captured this strange image in Shinjuku: it’s store closing, so two men in white gloves have their arms stretched wide as the gate lowers. Why? Are they afraid some desperate shopper will rush in? Or is it simply a performance?

Throughout Tokyo you can experience excessive service that borders on the nonsensical. Today I visited a big box store, and there were four uniformed men helping customers enter the parking lot. How can companies justify this excessive work force? And what could be a more boring job?