Is the barrette the Japanese male equivalent of the pony tail? Like, I was in a rush to get out of the house and go cellphone shopping, so I just grabbed my mask and pulled my hair back with this barrette? I guess there’s never enough time in a day!
The title quote is from Eric the Fez, who sends in a Bloomberg news story that the most recent Arizona shooting of a congressman, child, judge, and others has increased sales of semi-automatic Glock pistols. In another report, I read that the congresswoman, shot in the head this past weekend, had boasted of having this exact gun in a political message last year.
Apparently, the lesson is buy more guns. Please do not blame me for pretending to be from Canada!
Ah, Nakano Broadway! You have your own mascot Pipi, just like the Police, the Post Office, and every other institution in this lucky nation. While your showing your age, more or less the same as this author’s, your low-ceilings, lack of windows, and hundreds of tiny shops catering to local, national and international otaku (nerds) make me happy to call Nakano home. You never fail to provide an abundance of shopping, from boy-band memoriabilia to fujoshi comics, costume shops, and the home-roasted coffee from the always immaculate sisters. And the crowds you attract make me feel down right understated.
Do you have any new year’s resolutions? My number 1 resolution is to get fat. I’m also trying to improve my Japanese, learn some more about ceramics, and explore the many charms of Nakano.
Hating Christmas in Japan is received with total incomprehension. It’s like running for president of the USA as an atheist. Incomprehensible. Yet I do– from baby Jesus to rampant consumerism to the poor Walmart victim of the holiday shopping rush. RIP, Jdimytai Damour.
Japanese love Christmas beyond all reason. It’s the ultimate obsessive empty-signifier– all love and no meaning. Holiday lights everywhere, and a Christmas soundtrack to all public and retail spaces.
But even I must admit to a certain thrill upon discovering, for the very first time, George Michael’s “Last Christmas.” They play it here as if the 80s never ended. The video is sublime. If only this was the very last Xmas!
Tokyo Moe 