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May 18 2015 12 Comments

Odd foreign mannequins in a faded Japanese fashion shop

In older parts of Tokyo, and especially out of the city itself, faded fashion shops are far more common than any big brand stockist. Businesses that are stuck in the past both in the clothes they sell, and the kinds of customers they occasionally attract.

This particular place, however, made up for any lack of visitors with the odd addition of some similarly odd foreign mannequins.

Japanese foreign mannequin

Figures that while definitely on the disturbing side, at the same time draw you in. Tempting you deeper and deeper into the shop’s deceptively large interior.

Japanese foreign mannequin

All of which is perfectly safe of course, provided you don’t blink.

Japanese foreign mannequin

Categorized: Photography

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Martin says

    5/18/2015 at 9:05 am

    Not sure what’s more disturbing. The mannequins or the clothes that seem to be at least a few decades out of fashion.

    Reply
    • Lee says

      5/18/2015 at 4:16 pm

      I know, makes you wonder how long some of that stuff has been there, doesn’t it? The owner was old, and the shop has been in the family for several generations, so some of it could be verging on antique status…

      Reply
  2. Al says

    5/18/2015 at 11:16 am

    Totally agree with Martin. Did you buy anything?!! 😉

    Reply
    • Lee says

      5/18/2015 at 4:17 pm

      Haha, no! I may not be on the cutting edge when it comes to fashion, but happy to say I’m not that out of touch!

      Reply
  3. Squidpuppy says

    5/19/2015 at 1:58 am

    LOL Don’t blink! A shudder inducing reference. I seem to recall a time when most, if not all, mannequins there were “foreign” looking. Is there a predominance of Asian looking ones now? Or the headless, generic kind?

    Reply
    • Lee says

      5/19/2015 at 7:27 am

      The generic kind seem to dominate in more modern shop nowadays, but foreign ones are still holding the fort in old places like this.

      Reply
  4. Matt Talbot says

    5/19/2015 at 3:17 am

    I think I dated the one in the first picture.

    Reply
    • Lee says

      5/19/2015 at 7:29 am

      Her rather slapdash approach to wig placemeant aside, at least she’s the most normal looking one.

      Reply
  5. D. Minnis says

    5/19/2015 at 10:27 am

    This series is a winner Lee. When I see that first picture all I can think about is the time I decided to trim my own bangs in the 8th grade, sadly it was “picture” day at school. This store has been frozen in time

    Reply
    • Lee says

      5/19/2015 at 4:40 pm

      Thanks! Yes, a real life time capsule, isn’t it?

      That seems to one of life’s unfortunate laws, doesn’t it? Official photographs and their uncanny timing to coincide with a dodgy haircut or unusually prominent spot.

      Reply
  6. Hans ter Horst says

    5/23/2015 at 10:27 pm

    So this is where the mannequins go after having stood in a field for a few years 🙂 How can these shops survive?!

    Reply
    • Lee says

      5/24/2015 at 12:21 pm

      Yes. A bit of warmth and comfort after years outside!

      I know. So many places like this too eh? Presumably there’s no rent as the building is often part of a house. And the owner’s are always want past retirement age so possibly don’t need the money. But still, why bother? Sheer force of habit perhaps?

      Reply

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