Photographs from a small group of islands
Well, the Year of the Monkey is fast drawing to a close, making way for 2005 and the Year of the Cock (or Rooster even).
A situation that creates an ideal opportunity to indulge in a bit of schoolboy humour. Meaning I could post a picture like this.
Or even this.
But I won’t…
Happy New Year!!
Whether it be to celebrate Christmas or the end of the year, there is certainly no shortage of parties around this time. And whilst it’s not really my thing, fancy dress events aren’t uncommon. Or at least it would seem that way from a shop I was in earlier today.
Costumes of seemingly every variety you could imagine were available, including this rather perturbing prepubescent schoolgirl’s gym outfit.
Less disturbing and more intriguing is the bear costume pictured below. As the packaging doesn’t make it clear, I find the genital area a little worrying. Are the necessary bits part of the costume, or is the wearer expected to display his own?
Christmas day itself is pretty much a non-event in Japan, and generally it’s just another day at work for most people. Especially as the 23rd is a national holiday to mark the Emperor’s birthday.
Fortunately things are a little better this year with the big day falling on a Saturday, and even better news is that the Tokyu Hands department store is selling some festive outfits that will lift the spirits of even the biggest Christmas humbug.
The shop’s Christmas wreath hat/mask however is not quite as appealing.
The Japanese don’t celebrate Christmas, not in the conventional sense anyway (whatever that is), but with Christmas decorations everywhere it’s often easy to forget.
However implementing the national trait of taking an idea, making it infinitely better, and then reintroducing it to the world, I present to you miniskirt Santa.
Yes, for a measly 3,000 yen (15 pounds), anyone feeling like a bit of a festive frolic can go and visit miniskirt Santa. And as the picture suggests, Santa is not an overweight man with a yellowing beard and bad breath. Rather an attractive young lady with a penchant for showing her legs.
Which leaves the question, who’s is going to sit on whose knee?
Now call me miserable if you want to (and don’t worry, you won’t be the first) but I find the Japanese obsession with cuteness nauseating at best. The rule that cute equals good is a false one in my book.
But that said, this sign outside a school I came across today did manage to warm the cockles of my cynical heart.
Briefly.