Category Archive for Tokyo + Japan
JAPANESE ZOMBIE GIRL ATTACKS! RESIDENT EVIL AFTERLIFE IN SHIBUYA TOKYO. UPCOMING TOKYO GOTH DANCE PARTIES, YUKIRO'S PERFORMANCE.
If you’re a fan of 3D zombies — and even if you aren’t — there’s a movie in theaters right now that you can’t miss. Resident Evil: Afterlife. The cameras nose-dive into the famous Shibuya street crossing, where a delicate Japanese girl (Mika Nakashima) is caught in the pouring rain. Her eyes latch onto an oncoming businessman… brace yourself for the first zombie girl attack!
Interesting quote from the star, Milla Jovovich: “In Japan, literally 95 percent of the viewers are girls that go see these movies, and in America it’s the opposite. Girls in Tokyo really, really need these strong role models, where I think women in America think the films are too violent.” (Source: Reuters).
Resident Evil: Afterlife has slick style (Milla’s holster and corset!), high-kicking female characters and an electronica soundtrack. The direction has an artsy feel that separates this movie from typical blow-up blockbusters. And the fight scene in the showers with an overgrown zombie wielding the world’s biggest axe? Bloody brilliant. Have you seen the film yet? Go! (Thank you to Alliance Films for the advance screening passes.)
Speaking of Japanese zombies… I thought you might enjoy these photos of undead DJs and dancers from the most recent Gothic Bar Heaven club night in Tokyo.
The Goth / Industrial music begins around midnight at Shibuya Club Crawl. (Maps, directions and detailed reports are found in my Japan clubbing guide.)
The girls mix up the styles. DJ Tetra (right) is as emo-boy-weak as ever. Love it.
Do you recognize DJ Chihiro, without the white facepaint? He often plays at this club night, run by D’s Valentine.
Can’t say I enjoyed the live show very much… The guitarist on right was cutting herself and licking the blood!
Here are some images from July’s Midnight Mess. It was when Yukiro’s first live musical performance took place! DJ SiSEN wore horns and magical makeup for the occasion.
Yukiro was a “fashion-forward killer bitch Evil Queen.” You can read more about his musical mission here.
Sad that you missed his performance? Above is a video of Dravarious performing a cover of Moi dix Mois – Dialogue Symphonie! Yukiro also played several of his original songs. Stay tuned for news about his next concert…
Quite a few of my friends are having parties and performances next weekend:
† TOKYO, September 17: Lunatic Sabbath. Japanese Steampunk master Kenny Creation is performing with his band “I am still in the haze.” In addition,Yukiro will be dancing on-stage, and Goth groups Despair and Vanished Empire will play. (I will post an interview with DJ Chihiro soon.) The Industrial / DarkPsyche / EBM party is at Yoyogi Labo and begins at midnight. 2500 yen with flyer, 2000 with dresscode.
† LOS ANGELES, September 16: Do you remember the Jpop Purikura party I hosted in the spring? Organizers Tune in Tokyo are having a Japanese school uniform dance party, sponsored by X Japan North American Tour 2010 and Jrock Revolution! More info and RSVP on Facebook. There will be J-rock and pop dance music, prizes, screening of a rare documentary about X Japan, and a chance to meet fellow fans of the band. LA friends, don’t miss out.
† LOS ANGELES, September 16-30: Horror artist Dienzo (who painted a vampire portrait of me and gave us a tour of Cartoon Network headquarters) has a new art exhibit opening at Hyaena Galley (remember when we visited?). “I’ve partnered with Eric Pigors to celebrate our love of spooky monsters and creepy chicks. Basically he does pen and ink drawings and colors then digitally, then I use that as inspiration to create my own versions of his characters in my style.” Check out the exhibit at Hyaena Gallery in Burbank, which runs September 16-30. There is an Artist Reception: September 18th, 8pm-Midnight.
Okay, let’s hear your thoughts on the new Resident Evil and Yukiro’s musical performance!
Japanese Word of the Day: Juyouu = Demand
Song of the Day: Dir en Grey – Vinushka (Anyone seeing or seen the band on tour in USA? A report is coming up on my blog!)
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NARA, JAPAN: A TRIP TO THE ANCIENT JAPANESE CITY. TODAIJI TEMPLES, TRAVELLING TO SACRED BUDDHIST GROUND.
Ah, Nara. The ancient Japanese capital. A sacred/cultural ground, located about an hour from Osaka. A peaceful haven for the elderly to stroll…
Until these two cyber freaks came along.
If you’re in Kansai, we urge you to make a day trip to Nara. As I wrote in my CNNGo article: “The cultural capital dazzles with six Buddhist temples, a Shinto shrine and the Imperial Place.”
Nara gave me a chance to stretch my photography muscles. (Some of you have asked – which cameras do you use? These images were taken with a Sony DSL 700 with Minolta lenses. The others are with a Canon Powershot S90.)
How we suffer for high fashion! Yukiro endured the heat through a furry jacket and walked for hours in high-heeled purple knee boots.
The path to Todaiji Temple had a festival atmosphere. Traditional food and colorful game stands. We ate takoyaki (octopus balls) and yuzu ice cream twice!
Todaiji Temple is the largest wooden building in the world. Inside, we were in awe at the gilded Buddhas and fierce protector statues.
Under the Bodhi tree.
Top: h.NAOTO Blood (I wear it in our Abandoned Curse B-movie)
Skirt: Algonquins
Purple lace tights: Very old…
The secret gardens were closed, so we snuck in and surreptitiously took photos. We heard the caretaker’s approaching footsteps and ran!
Wait — what about the infamous sacred deer, the tame beasts that roam around Nara Park? Those photos are coming right up. You’ll die when you see how we incorporated them into a fashion-forward photoshoot…
Have you ever been to Nara, Japan? What were your favorite attractions?
Japanese Word of the Day: Onoono = Each
Song of the Day: Kazoku – Ukigumo (A superb song from a Visual Kei group that disbanded. Found this video on Lemon’s channel.)
LA CARMINA
