Category Archive for Tokyo + Japan
GOTH CLUBS IN TOKYO, JAPAN: GOTHIC BAR HEAVEN, DJ CHIHIRO, TETRA & D'S VALENTINE. STRANGE NEW JAPANESE FETISH.
Ah, DJ Tetra. Nobody can do the “Death Note L” pose and emo hair like you can. Add a Swedish Barbie and incompetent minions into the mix, and it’s just another night at Tokyo’s darkest dance party, Gothic Bar Heaven.
Kanae looks like death (and that’s a compliment!). The ball gag choker is brilliant. Do you remember her falling over laughing and swabbing the lipstick from my teeth in this makeup video?
As Evil Queens, we treat our minions terribly. Naomi is not allowed to eat anything except stale Hello Kitty apple cakes from the convenience store. These “apples” are dyed bright red and green, and (surprise, surprise) taste like cardboard. Poor thing.
Yukiro dressed like a Swedish plastic Barbie doll for an ultra-Goth party. He ended up being the scariest person there.
Let me tell you about the latest and strangest Japaense fetish: strawberry fish. The poster of the couple embracing, while stroking a strawberry and slimy fish… DJ Tetra and his “sister” stared at the poster for about 20 minutes, trying to figure it out! Inside Club Crawl, hanging from the ceiling, was a fish fused with a strawberry. What’s going on here?
The Goth outfits that night were particularly frightening. I’m afraid of clowns, and Basil Farrow is terrified of belly dancers… and both were in attendance.
The fashion at Gothic Bar Heaven is grittier and less Lolita-elegant. Lots of spikes, torn up tops and fishnets.
The DJs played “Goth rave” music that I loved to bits. (I’ll post a video from the dance floor later). DJ Chihiro performed as well, and his undead singing is better than ever.
D’s Valentine (on the right) puts on some of the best Gothic parties in Tokyo, especially if you’re a fan of classic dark / cyber dance tracks. The events tend to be small, but the crowd is very much into the music. For directions, addresses and previous reports, please check out my Tokyo Goth club guide.
PS: I have several very fun TV/video projects in the works… might be doing a lot of travelling soon! Will keep you posted. Don’t be surprised to see me in your neighborhood.
PPS: I’ve been Tweeting news and articles about X Japan, Deluhi and your other favorite Visual Kei / J-rock bands. You can add me on Twitter to keep up with the latest.
Japanese Word of the Day: Tenno = Heavenly sovereign
Song of the Day: Diva Destruction – Electric Air (If you like Aural Vampire, you may dig this.)
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OSAKA ATELIER PIERROT & CHANTILLY: CLASSICAL LOLITA BOUTIQUE. GOTHIC LOLITA VICTORIAN ARISTOCRAT SKIRTS, JSK DRESSES.
Right across the street from the Innocent World Osaka boutique is Atelier Pierrot. Since these are two of my favorite Japan Lolita brands, I had a hard time deciding which Shinsaibashi shop to visit first.
Atelier Pierrot’s designs appeal to me because even the sweeter floral dresses have a dark and mysterious edge.
The fabrics are sleek; the jewelry and designs straight out of a Romantic novel.
Atelier Pierrot’s signature style is this high-waisted, corseted skirt with tiers and bustles. I own a dark blue one (photos here).
The signature skirt is updated with vivid purple and green striped fabric.
We tried on a few Gothic hats and bonnets. In the back, there’s a section for another favorite brand of mine…
Chantilly, by the lovely Fumiko! You may recall that I interviewed her for CNNGo. The cage skirt, the diamond-print bonnet modeled by Sachi of Kokusyoku Sumire… simply Classical Lolita heaven.
For more photos of Tokyo and Osaka Gothic Lolita shops, take a peek at my shopping map.
Mein gott, you guys rock! Nearly 200 comments in the Kanon Wakeshima post. I enjoyed reading the stories about your first musical experiences; thank you to everyone who took the time to share. Alas, there can only be one winner… and chosen by random number generator, the lucky person is psuedohappy. Don’t worry – you’ll have more chances to win prizes soon, as I’m giving away 5 PAIRS of tickets to Dir en Grey…
Have you tried on anything by Atelier Pierrot or Chantilly? Do you agree they’re one of the most exciting Goth Lolita brands out there at the moment?
Japanese Word of the Day: Komadori = Robin
Song of the Day: Chopin – Polonaise in A Flat ‘Heroique’ (played by Valentina Igoshina in a court dress)
LA CARMINA
