Steam Garden: Tokyo, Japan steampunk party at Christon Cafe Shinjuku. Japanese cosplay fashion event.
The concept of Steampunk is only beginning to gain recognition in Japan, even though there have been many works that incorporate the aesthetic, such as Katsuhiro Otomo’s anime film Steamboy. My Tokyo-based friends Kenny Creation and Luke Chaos have been passionate about Steampunk for some time, and last year, they founded the event Steam Garden. (Photo above by Aki Saito)
On March 10th, I went to their fourth event, themed “Celtic Fantasy.” Luke and Kenny rented out the entire Christon Café Shinjuku (a theme restaurant filled with European relics), and filled it with tribal fire dancers, cosplay performances, Medieval food, and live music on period instruments. (Photo by Jab)
Each event has a different theme, revolving around a past era. Previously, Steam Garden did a Meiji-themed party — a fascinating time when Japan was opening its doors to the West, and fusing Victorian fashion with traditional kimonos and obis.
This time, the code word was Celtic Fantasy. Luke describes it as “a blend of industry, fantasy, and epic adventure set to a soundtrack of exciting tribal and Celtic music.”
Kenny Creation DJ-ed possibly the most original set I’ve ever heard… it was exclusively bagpipe music! The crowd wasn’t sure how to dance to it, but Sarah and I gave it a go.
In between sets, there were mesmerizing performances by motion capture and stunt performer Kaori Kawabuchi (Final Fantasy 13), live music on a variety of period instruments from medieval group Homonculus…
… steamcore music and tribal fire dance from Chaos Royale VS Lyon.
Kana is the beautiful green Absinthe fairy, serving French “grande absente”.
With the dapper “philosopher” of Steam Garden, Luke. La Carmina wears:
Plaid purple dress: Miho Matsuda, from Closet Child. I wore it quite differently in this grunge outfit post.
Clockwork purse: Amavel, from Lumine Shinjuku (pics from this store soon)
Tako corset: gifted by Dracula Clothing (I wore it on the cover of Ladies of Steampunk magazine)
Braveheart roamed the room, challenging partygoers to duels in a Scottish accent.
One section of Christon Cafe contained tables, which sold pocket-watches, Steampunk accessories and other brass and clockwork instruments.
You could also order food — a plate of meat on skewers, to fit the Medieval vibe.
Yukiro Dravarious is an evil witch from the woods.
Steam Garden attracts an extremely fashionable, well-dressed crowd. It’s inspiring to see how Japanese alternative fashionistas have adopted the style, making it into something distinctively Japanese.
Love the cute twist on Steampunk’s signature brown clothing and brass goggles.
I enjoyed the company of a Victorian pageboy, a Braveheart lass…
… Captain Nemo, and a Victorian inventor gentleman.
A striking Mori-kei wood maiden look here, with flowers and antlers in the hair.
Every style tribe is welcome here, like Shiro-Nuri (white face paint, ghostly fashion).
And Japanese Lolitas. Do you like their coordinates?
Many of the outfits involved DIY gear, like this impressive glove with moving parts.
If you’re having a hard time deciding between square and circular glasses, why not choose both!
Except for the first two, all photos are by Said Karlsson, who photographed me for two magazine covers and spreads.
Steam Garden occurs every few months, and I can’t wait for the next one in July. People from all over Japan travel here to attend, as it’s the only regular, organized Steampunk event in the country.
For updates, and to keep track of this scene, join the Tokyo Steampunk Society on Facebook. As Luke puts it, “Here’s hoping the airship will keep on soaring higher!”
Did you know this Steampunk culture existed in Japan? What do you think of the performances and fashion at this event?
PS: Off to Montreal to cover Kinetik festival, and the local alt art/culture! Let me know your travel tips.
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LA CARMINA
38 Comments
Kenny Creation ! <3
^_^
XD
Wow!Wow!
that’s a beautiful place
It’s Christon Cafe, love it.
OMG!!!!!
Great Japanese steampunk article
Daaang. Japanese steampunk. I want to visit. (I like the Eerie Witch and the Lady Samurai.)
Yeahhhhhh!
Japanese Steampunk is insane.
I LOVED the outfits I saw when I attended the event before this one (I was there last November) – but I was too chicken to ask people if I could take their photos! Next time… I’m just in awe at how wonderfully the alt fashionistas make each sub-culture their own :)
I know, it’s amazing how creative the Japanese are with any style! <3 hope we can go together next time. What are your travel plans?
LOVE the contacts and the Celtic style dress with corset is aaammmaaazing!
Yukiro never fails to impress :D
wow awesome
The pictures turned out great!
Said is the best.
Thinks for giving a sight in the japanese Scene. It´s very interesting.
Glad you like it.
Followed the link to your blog on Tokyo Steampunk Society’s Facebook. Just wanted to say, great writeup of the event! I was the “Inventor Gentlemen.”
Yay!
Pretty steamy!
lol
phantasmagoric ball :)
^___^
I haven’t visited your blog in a while but now that I’m back it’s like, WOW. I think you have improved greatly in every aspect, like photography, posing and composition of content. Looks like you really are going from strength to strength!
Aw, thank you! It’s heartening to hear that. There’s always ways to improve, I’m glad you are enjoying the new direction. Lots of posts to come about Maldives, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and more… it’s nice to hear from you again, please come back and chat any time!!
The fashions are unbelievable thanks for this
Really great
La Carmina will u come to Germany
I’ve been there, love it! Hope to be back soon
Ahhhhhhhhhhhh :)
This post is amazing
Thank you dear! <3
<3 <3
yummy!!
Amazing
you great La Carmina