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Oct 05 2012 25 Comments

A thong amongst a traditionally dressed throng

Tokyo continually throws up contrasts — perhaps none more so than a traditional festival played out against a backdrop of urban modernity.

Yet an equally modern backside surrounded by customary festival clothing, is arguably even more arresting.

Japanese woman wearing a thong

Categorized: Culture, Fashion, Photography

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Matt says

    10/5/2012 at 10:17 am

    I’m wondering if you noticed this before or after you had taken the photo….actually don’t answer that.

    Reply
    • Lee says

      10/5/2012 at 3:44 pm

      No, I don’t think I need to!

      Reply
  2. winnie says

    10/5/2012 at 10:34 am

    Cool!!
    She is conspicuous by her dressing among them.

    Reply
    • Lee says

      10/5/2012 at 3:50 pm

      She certainly is!

      Reply
  3. Ed says

    10/5/2012 at 1:09 pm

    Is this a girl, Lee. Matt, don’t celebrate too early, mate! There IS something suspicious 🙂

    Reply
    • Lee says

      10/5/2012 at 3:52 pm

      Yeah. Well, pretty sure anyway. To be honest, it hadn’t even crossed my mind that she may be a he. What makes you think that?

      Reply
      • Ed says

        10/6/2012 at 2:21 pm

        The hair, I guess, and maybe the legs… but wait, now looking at the cellulite – it doesn’t look like a lady boy.

        Reply
  4. Hans ter Horst says

    10/5/2012 at 5:20 pm

    The more I know about Japan, the less I understand 🙂 Great shot, and that’s a girl alright!

    Reply
    • Lee says

      10/5/2012 at 7:43 pm

      Cheers! Yes, to claim you understand Japan, invariably means you don’t…

      Reply
  5. A Former Expat says

    10/5/2012 at 11:22 pm

    Arrugh! And here I thought only plumbers in the U.S. showed their butt cracks/ thongs, undies. No prude am I, but she certainly does not set the heart to beating faster

    Reply
    • Lee says

      10/6/2012 at 9:53 am

      A new craze, plumber chic?

      Reply
  6. john says

    10/6/2012 at 12:48 am

    The dangers of texting – trouser sag AND accidentally ending up with the wrong crowd!

    Reply
    • Lee says

      10/6/2012 at 9:54 am

      Haha! Let that be a warning to us all!

      Reply
  7. Auberginefleur says

    10/6/2012 at 11:35 am

    I wonder if she knew she was showing?

    Reply
    • Lee says

      10/6/2012 at 3:39 pm

      Pretty sure she knew.

      Reply
      • Hans ter Horst says

        10/6/2012 at 4:20 pm

        I second that, I’ve seen the same fashion of short shorts, thong and handbag in Tokyo this summer, I guess it is more a lifestyle statement than a fashion statement though. Ganguro/yamamba is out, this might be the replacement 🙂

        Reply
  8. Willy says

    10/6/2012 at 5:13 pm

    Undies getting smaller and smaller! proof that global warming is real!

    Reply
    • Lee says

      10/7/2012 at 12:06 am

      That’s a theory I’ve never heard before, but one I dare say a lot of people could get behind!

      Reply
  9. Caroline says

    10/7/2012 at 4:30 am

    For whatever reason (because they tend to be so skinny I guess), I thought that Japanese girls didn’t have cellulite so it’s quite a surprise to see that they do have that problem too!

    Reply
    • Hans ter Horst says

      10/7/2012 at 5:34 am

      I’ve been coming to Japan for the last 18 years or so and I have the district impression that the big macs and milkshakes are also taking hold in Japan. No obesity problem yet, but give it time 🙂

      Reply
      • Lee says

        10/7/2012 at 12:19 pm

        Yes, there has been a big change in diet, and imported fast food is certainly one of those changes. The healthier aspects of the Japanese diet will probably help Japan avoiding the obesity levels of many western countries, but it’s obviously going to have an effect on a good number of the population in the coming years.

        Reply
        • Willy says

          10/7/2012 at 8:31 pm

          We lived up the hill. Up-the-hill kids were a lot slimmer than those that lived down the hill.. Due to the up-the-hill kids having to walk the 3 km up and down the hill every day to get to school…and their non-proximity to the Konbini. There are obesity probs in Japan. Just not yet nearly as striking as the people of Walmart… Let’s hope it never gets to that.

          Reply
  10. marion says

    10/12/2012 at 6:25 am

    I’m so torn! Part of me wants to high-5 her for going against the grain… and part of me wants to run up and tie a sweater around her waist!

    Reply
    • Lee says

      10/13/2012 at 9:31 am

      Haha! Se seemed quite happy in herself, so you may as well stick with the high 5!

      Reply
  11. DOM says

    8/22/2016 at 1:56 am

    the sad part is when you dont even know if that is a gal or a dude… -_-

    Reply

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