Tokyo Times

Photographs from a small group of islands

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Japan Unwrapped #4: Naming nonsense

Dear Tokyo Times

I’ve heard that a lot of apartments in Tokyo have English rather than Japanese ‘names’, and that many of them are a little odd. Is it true?

Thanks!

Bob B, Seattle

It is true Bob, although it’s not just restricted to English, as there is a generous sprinkling of French and Spanish names out there too. That said, English monikers are very much in the majority.

Unfortunately — at least as far as truly nonsensical names are concerned — there’s no dearth of ‘dragons’.

Japanese apartment

And certainly no lack of ‘lions’ either.

Japanese apartment

Thankfully though some landlords do have a little more imagination. A love of colour — or indeed fruit — clearly influencing the naming of this brightly coloured abode.

Japanese apartment

Others however are clearly not so sure about what they want, and invariably just end up choosing something at random, regardless of how inappropriate it is.

Japanese apartment

Yet gauging the mindset of the building’s prospective rent payers appears to play a part in the process for many property owners, with this particular dwelling hoping to attract especially laid-back leaseholders.

Japanese apartment

Whilst others actively seek out those with a rather more transparent temperament.

Japanese apartment

An interesting approach that appears to have been taken to a whole new level in the country’s second city. The picture below, taken by the always amusing An Englishman in Osaka, proving that rather than matching the moniker with the inhabitants’ mindset, it can be used to actively try and mess with it.

Japanese apartment

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Mechanical man Friday

“A human being may be faster, but you have to say ‘Thank you.’ That’s the best part about a robot. You don’t have to feel bad about asking it to do things.”

University of Tokyo Professor Tomomasa Sato on the merits of mechanical friends after he and other researchers revealed a robot that poured tea into a cup and then delivered it to a person.

Quite right indeed. A breakthrough that possibly paves the way to a life lived without the pain of having to be polite to people. And maybe even the eradication of irksome social interaction altogether.

japanese robot emiew

How splendid…

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Well-meant mascot

Whilst the Japanese love of excessive product packaging is hardly easy on the environment, recycling on the other hand is taken quite seriously, with many cities producing mind-boggling monthly schedules for garbage disposal. The powers that be continually changing them to possibly keep people on their toes and at the same time utterly bamboozle the elderly.

Japanese gomi schedule

Yet just like practically every other service or public body in Japan, saving the planet inevitably needs a cute character for promotional purposes, with energetic Earth-kun earnestly entering the fray. Although that said, the little chap’s cap-cum-air-conditioner might be deemed somewhat counterproductive.

Japanese environment character

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Japanese fashion and fetishism

It’s not necessarily unusual for a Japanese TV talent or idol to have very little of the former — a particularly prominent body part (or two) often enough to secure someone fame and fortune. The point perfectly proven by the Kanou sisters, with their super-sized breasts earning them regular media exposure.

Yet whereas bulging boobies are one thing, garnering a reputation for merely wearing a hay fever mask is arguably another; however that’s exactly what young Anna Nakagawa appears to be doing, whilst at the same time earning herself the moniker of ‘mask idol’.

anna nakagawa

That said, there does seem to be a Japanese market for such facial fashion/fetishism, with an upcoming DVD called ‘Mask & Musume’ competently covering such, erm, coverings.

Japanese DVD

A quality release that will apparently feature mask-wearing maids,

Japanese maid

bikini babes,

Japanese bikini model

and the odd obligatory high school girl.

Japanese high school girl

Fun for both allergy sufferers and the appearance conscious alike.

(via the FG Forums)

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Food-based facial fashion

Whilst spring may bring warmer weather and the fleeting beauty of cherry blossom, for many Japanese it also heralds the start of hay fever season — a time of misery for most, except money making medical men and mask makers. The work of the latter in particular resulting in a tremendous amount of Tokyoites trotting around town wearing these.

Japanese masks

Yet for the more fashion conscious sufferer, the Japanese site Daily Portal Z suggests popping down to the local sewing shop for material to make your own. A prettily patterned protector perhaps perfect for a big night out.

Japanese masks

Or alternatively, if a night of naughtiness is on the cards, this lacy little number could be ideal.

Japanese masks

For the food-loving fashionista however, a trip to the supermarket and the purchase of some seafood is deemed necessary.

Japanese seafood

Shell size it seems is the only concern, and once bought the insides can be either made into dinner or discarded. Then, after a quick dab of paint and the attachment of some elastic to hold it in place, it’s ready to wear.

Japanese masks

With considerable pride.

(via Japan Probe)