Kitty-chan aka Hello Kitty is still as popular as ever in Japan. While in Tokyo I wandered past a shop filled entirely with Kitty-chan products. Not my cup of tea, but I think the shop was aiming for a slightly different clientele. Something a little more like…
A few weeks ago Elsie Jaime of EMJ Fashion Styling told me she was doing a glamour giveaway and asked if I could take a couple of “After” photos. She’d snap a quick pic at the start of the day, and then after the team has done their magic, they’d stop by my studio for a portrait. Linda Portillo underwent the transformation, and was more than pleased with the results 🙂 And here’s the team: Stylist: Elsie Jaime (EMJ Fashion Styling) Hair: A. LaQuin MUA: Summer Johnson Dress and accessories: Chandelier Boutique Photographer: Chris Willson
While up in Tokyo I met up with my old friend ASIMO. We had a falling out a few years ago when I bought a Suzuki Swift rather than the Honda S2000, but we’re back to talking again. At least I’m talking and he’s staring vacantly in my direction. ASIMO showed me his new dance moves, and he seemed to be able to run a little faster than last time we met. I asked if he’d been programmed with Asimov’s Three Laws of Robotics. He nodded, but for a brief moment I’m sure one of his eyes glowed red.
Miss International Beauty Pageant in Okinawa 2012 took place on October 21st. As the audience arrived they wandered between photographs of the girls in swimsuits and heels. The ceremony opened with some traditional Ryukyu dancing and drumming, a nice Okinawan touch. The first event was national costumes, followed by the swimsuits, and then the evening gowns. (Which was amusing titled as the Night Gown Competition) The announcement of the top 15 finalists was met with cheers as most of the favorites made the cut. Each of the finalists gave a short speech before hip hop dancers from the Tida Dance Studio in Chatan performed. The kids were fantastic and the highlight of the evening. After quite a wait, the winner was announced, Miss Japan. Huge cheers from the majority of the crowd, but quite a few raised eyebrows from the non Japanese members of the audience. After the audience had left, the press got to take some photographs of the top 5. I held a speed light at arm’s length in my left hand and …
Ginza 4-chome, the crossroads at the heart of Tokyo’s notoriously expensive shopping and entertainment district. I took a photograph here several years ago when I was shooting with the Pentax 67II and Vodafone was still in Japan. I returned on my latest trip to Tokyo, and met up with model Marino to create some visions of nightlife in Ginza.
Darryl helps people work through their anger issues. He lets them get all of their aggression out by punching him, and then when they’re exhausted he hits them back… Colonel Hannibal Smith attributes everything he knows about makeup, disguises, and even smoking cigars to Summer Johnson
These are a few images from a local protest against the arrival of Osprey helicopters. US Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey helicopters are now based at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in central Okinawa. Locals were protesting against the poor safety record of the Osprey and the close location of Futenma to residential areas. It was one of the hottest days of the summer and the protest took place just after noon. I was actually surprised I didn’t hear of anyone suffering from heatstroke or worse. Reports from the organizers put the crowd at 100,000 people. To me this was far too high ( the number of protesters seemed smaller than the audience in front of the green stage at Fuji Rock which was about 25,000) but it was still an impressive turnout. The Okinawan people didn’t get their wish to keep the Osprey’s out of Okinawa. The helicopters will be based here so that the US military have the latest technology to train with, but it’s a bit of a gamble for the US and …
Yuki runs a multi-billion dollar fashion business, but in secret also designs superhero costumes for The Wild Bunch. She insists on no capes. Model – Yuki Lynn Lukasiak Makeup Artist -Summer Johnson
Nishihama Beach on Hateruma Island. Fine white star sand, few people, clear water. Fantastic. (If we’re being pedantic, it’s arguably better to call it Nishi Beach or West Beach as hama means beach. This is why you should probably say Shuri-jo or Shuri Castle, and not Shuri-jo Castle. )
Festivals in Okinawa’s southern islands (collectively know as the Yaeyama Islands) are similar but not identical to those on the main island of Okinawa. Shishi lions and ryukyu dancers are common to both, while it seems only the Yaeyama festivals include the god Miroku (white mask) and the rain god Fusamarah (red mask). The images of the man dressed as the rain god Fusamarah show how the presence of the American military has slowly made it’s way into the everyday lives of Okinawans even on the most remote islands. Local farmers are particularly fond of army surplus uniforms, they must be particularly rugged, cheap, and ubiquitous to have become almost standard equipment for Okinawans working out in their fields.
TRAVEL 67 : Chris Willson Photography 