30.05.2010 · by Patrick W. Galbraith
The Politics of Popular Culture
Temple University Japan will be holding two conferences on Japanese popular culture as part of the Summer Institute. The first will be on politicizing Japanese popular culture, and includes panels on gaming, otaku and "Cool Japan." I will present on the limitations of "otaku studies." The second will be about gendered labor in Japanese popular culture, and includes discussions of hostess clubs, host clubs and enjo kosai. I will be presenting on maid cafes. Each event is 1,000 yen, including a reception with food and drink after the papers and discussion. Details are available at the official site.
15.02.2010 · by Patrick W. Galbraith
Yokoso! Japan ad features maid
I just saw this in Shinjuku Station. Didn't give it much thought, but something compelled me to take a closer look. Morbid curiosity. And upon closer inspection, I noticed a maid, right behind the kimono girl to the left, and closely associated with a geisha. It is funny how brazen all of this has become, especially since maids are neither Japanese nor otaku culture. It was a small boom in Akihabara promoted almost accidently by media (details here). Now otaku avoid them, and tourism has been winding down since 2006 or 2007. And yet here a maid stands, right at the center of the Cool Japan image. This of course isn't the first time the government has used popular culture (Puffy has been on signs for years).
Maids, too, have appeared in the past. But not alongside fish mongers, sumo and sushi chefs and other great symbols of Japanese culture. I get the feeling something is amiss here. Oh, and here is one for Hakone with Ayanami Rei on it. I like the way she is associated with Mt. Fuji (=Japan).
Tags: Cool Japan CM Maids 2 Comments
30.01.2010 · by Patrick W. Galbraith
Akibaland Tours?
I just thought this was a funny sign. "Akibaland" Tours? And with a castle in the background?! Seems like someone is taking the analogy that Akihabara is an otaku themepark very seriously indeed. It's easy to do - a survey by the government says more foreigners want to visit Akihabara than Tokyo Disneyland. And then there is the "Moe USA" representation of otaku paradise... Ultimately I think it's a good thing that Akiba is opening up and spreading a positive image, though there is a lot of misunderstanding wrapped up in it's somewhat misappropriated position as the face of all otaku in Japan. I hope this tour puts the area in perspective. It runs for 2.5 hours, just like ours. Might be worth checking out!
Tags: Akihabara Cool Japan 0 Comments
15.11.2009 · by Patrick W. Galbraith
Yoyogi Animation Gakuin and 'Cool Japan'
Just saw this sign and thought it was funny. After the failed Aso Taro administration, I thought there might be a general ban on using this ridiculous "Cool Japan" idea. Honestly, even if soft power does exist and nations can disseminate a positive image, does that mean anything if the nation has no hard power to back it up? Japan just looks like its overcompensating for the rise of China, which will eclipse it's military and economic influence very soon. Besides, doesn't cool become uncool as soon as old politicians and capitalists get their hands on it? And, I might add, Cool Japan takes its name from Cool Britannia, a failed image campaign of another island nation a decade ago...
Tags: Anime Cool Japan CM 6 Comments
11.08.2009 · by Patrick W. Galbraith
Tokyo Figure Show
It was a rocking time at Danny Choo's Tokyo Figure Show this past week. The event was held in the new art space in Harajuku promoting Coca Cola's Vitamin Water. Danny collaborated with Good Smile Company to introduce high society to a little moe culture. There were a lot of Nendoroids and Figma in attendence, mainly from "Haruhi" and "Lucky Star." The Hatsune Miku exclusive from Wonder Festival, which sold out in a manner of minutes, was also on display. I was personally hoping to see something from "K-On!" or "Strike Witches," but no such luck. The real star of the night was Mirai-chan, Danny's mascot character who is now in hug pillow and Figma form. Way to go!
14.07.2009 · by Patrick W. Galbraith
Dolls on display at posh Harajuku opening
I was invited to the opening of Glaceau Gallery an art space in Harajuku. It is on the 9th floor of the H&M Building, and considered very posh. Apparently the scheduled events in the space are to promote Glaceau VitaminWater from Coca Cola. It really isn't my scene, but old friend Akagi Shigure had his dolls on display so I went to visit. Of course, everyone was downstairs partying and these beautiful works were largely ignored. It almost would have been better if they were ignored. One ass literally wearing sunglasses at night in the darkened gallery was seen posing lewdly with the dolls. Luckily Akagi, who is not known for going out much, was not there to see it. Let's see how the rest of the otaku lineup fares! I am going to be presenting on July 18 (Saturday) from 3pm to 6 pm, and Danny Choo will be hosting the Tokyo Figure Show there from August 4 to 9. All the otaku on standby in Tokyo - admission is free, as are drinks and entertainment. Come on in and geek out!
Tags: Dolls Cool Japan 0 Comments
03.04.2009 · by Patrick W. Galbraith
Murakami Takashi's new work revealed
I was invited to the special sneak preview of Murakami Takashi's new sculpture at the Kaikai Kiki gallery in Hiroo on Thursday night. As seen in the , it is a deformed little robot boy. His name is Inochi. Despite his noted facination with otaku, Murakami says the work this time has nothing to do with otaku, but is rather a "pure expression of Japanese." As always, this follows a very loose definition of "Japanese," based on eclectic US and domestic pop-culture references:
1) The lttle robot boy from "A.I." is the inspiration; apparently Stanley Kubrick wanted to film this with a much uglier character in a Pinnochio-like tale
2) Japan has a deep history with humanoid robots, all the way from Tezuka Osamu's "Astro Boy" (Kubrick was a fan of Tezuka, says Murakami)
3) The bulbous head looks like ET
4) The robotic parts and thin frame evoke an Evangelion
5) Japanese do not like completed things, thus the imbalance
6) There is a violent and grotesque nature to Japanese cute
The list goes on, but you get the idea - various things strung together to imply some sort of meaning, whatever that is supposed to mean. The sculpture took him six years to make, and Bome was not involved. In fact, Murakami said he wants to get past his associations with the master figure maker, whose works are inextricably tied to Kaiyodo and bishojo figures. I find this particualarly amusing, as Bome's only fault is his expertise. Okada Toshio described the difference between what Bome does and "art" as a matter of meaning: Bome means to make figures that make sense to fans of characters, while art tends to make things that don't make sense and thus are "meaningful." That said, it might be that Murakami has to jettison the simple meanings of bishojo to find "meaning."
Instead of Bome, Murakami brought on board the advertising agency that created the CMs for Softbank. It reminds me more of the . In any case, Murakami again says the gags created using the Inochi character are representative of Japanese humor and sense. You be the judge.
Tags: Art Otaku Cool Japan 0 Comments
26.10.2008 · by Patrick W. Galbraith
Aso in Akiba
Aso Taro, leader of the ruling LDP and Japan's new Prime Minister, made a trip to Akihabara during the Enta Matsuri on October 26 to appeal for support in his efforts to curb economic decline. Aso has been embattled since taking office because he refuses to dissolve the Diet and hold general elections, which the LDP might well lose.
Aside from his usual talk of turning the economy around and solidifying Japan's position as the leading "nation of pop-culture," Aso praised otaku for maintaining their happiness despite the grim social and economic clime.
"Every time I come to Akihabara, I see people smiling (nico nico)," he said. "It must be from watching all that Nico Nico Douga."
The public address came on the heels of a host of antics earlier in the month, including taking a common taxi directly from dealing with matters of state to talk to folk at a supermarket.
Tags: Akihabara Cool Japan 0 Comments
