My Belief about Japanese

My Belief about Japanese

Talking about my thought on Japanese, the first impression is they are very fashionable. The Japanese youth fashions that I know from surfing the internet includes Harajuku, Kogal (コギャル), Ganguro fashion, Gothic Lolita, Rock and Punk, Cosplay and others. These fashions are very well-liked and followed by Japanese teenagers. I wonder that they are adhering to their own dressing style without caring about others view on them although the fashions are quite exaggerate.

Gothic Lolita and Harajuku fashion

While surfing internet, I found that there is a Harajuku Bridge in Japan. The Harajuku Bridge (原宿の橋) (sometimes called Jingu Bashi, JinguBashi, or the Harajuku Cosplay Bridge) is a bridge that runs over the train tracks near Harajuku Station in Tokyo, Japan. Harajuku Bridge is famous because it has long been a weekend hangout spot for the Japanese girls and a few guys who are involved in Harajuku's unique fashion scene. For the young and fashionable teenager, spending time in Harajuku on the weekends is practically a necessity. The fashion styles on the bridge vary widely, but the two most popular groups are either some type of lolita fashion or people doing cosplay. It is funny when I found out that some tourists who clearly had not read their guide books fully on Harajuku surprise to see these awesome scene and they even don't understand what is going on.

Harajuku Bridge

A group of friends enjoying cosplay in Harajuku

Furthermore, I also get to know about Japanese fashion through the Japanese magazines, such as ‘Cawaii’. The clothing that introduced in magazines all are very fashionable and some are a bit exaggerate. These magazines even provide the information for readers about the ways to design Japanese finger nail’s pattern, make up and design hair style.

In addition, the Japanese artists also play important role in evolving Japanese fashion trends. Their adherent or fans will pursue their dressing style. In my opinion, I think that not only Japanese girls put effort on their appearance but also the Japanese guys care about it too. The famous artists such as Gackt, Toshiya and Japanese Rock Band have evolved the Rock and Punk fashion in Japan. Besides, the movie ‘Nana’ also induced the rock fashion. Thereby, the Japanese teenagers imitated Nana’s make up, dressing and hair style.

Gackt

The characters in the movie 'Nana'

‘Cosplay’ is one of Japanese’s unique cultures. ‘Cosplay’ (コスプレ,), short for "costume play", is a type of performance art whose participants outfit themselves, with often-elaborate costumes and accessories, as a specific character. Characters are usually sourced in various Japanese and East Asian media, including manga, anime, tokusatsu, comic books, graphic novels, video games, and fantasy movies. The participants seem like the characters in the animation, manga or movie come to the real world. In my opinion, I think that people who love to Cosplay may too indulge in the characters of anime, manga or movies.

Two photos above are cosplay of Final Fantasy

Cosplay of L in the movie'Death Note'

This culture is familiar in Japan and the Japanese even open Cosplay restaurants in Akihabara, such as Maid Cafe or sometimes referred to as ‘Meido’ or ‘Maido’ cafe in Japanese. Recently, there is a few Maid Cafe opened in Shinjuku plus others in major Japanese cities like Osaka. In maid cafes, typical manga-style maids serve tea and cakes. When a customer enters the café, the maids typically give a flattering greeting such as "Welcome home, Master"(お帰りなさいませ、ご主人様!) in order to play the role of a house servant. Unlike "ordinary" cafés, maids serve customers as if they were their masters. For example, the staff sometimes kneels on the ground to mix sugar or milk in teas or other drinks. The purpose of the maid cafes and their service is to make customers feel at home and relaxed.

Cosplay of maid at Maido cafe

Overall, I think that Japanese are very care about their appearance and put many efforts on it. May be they think that appearance is very important for a person no matter girl or guy. Playing with costume even has become important event in teenagers’ lives in Japan. As for me, Japanese fashion is acceptable as long as it is not too exaggerate.

じゃあ、みんなさん
What is your perception about Japanese fashion?

Is Japanese fashion acceptable for you?