Making The News

[kevin_standlee]

Doubtless other people whose LJs I have not had time to read have reported this already, but this morning's International Herald Tribune/Asahi Shimbun had a full page story about Worldcon, including an above-the-fold pointer off the front page. It included picture of several people I know, including karisu_sama, marahsk, and avt_tor.

One of the things the article touched on was how one Japanese costumer complained that other Japanese fans look at you funny if you wear a costume that isn't obviously a recreation of something. I've encountered that myself, and not just in Japan. Original costuming seems to throw some folks for a loop, but they're comfortable with you dressing as a character from something they already know.

On the other side of the same page was an article touching on our other hobby, trains, and someone building a miniature you-ride-em (looks like 15-inch gauge) railway.

Update, 19 Sep: Added link to the online version of the story.

Comments

[bovil.livejournal.com]

Japan has a tradition of ritual dress, not a tradition of fancy dress.

[redneckotaku.livejournal.com]

People are used to recreation costumes over original costumes in Japan. Nearly all cosplayers are from a Video Game, Anime or J-Drama. I am not surprised that original costumes are taken by surprise by people in Japan.

[bovil.livejournal.com]

It's more complicated than that.

Look at western holidays adopted in Japan. Christmas is very popular, and people dress in red jackets with fur trim and Santa hats. Halloween is a bust, celebrated by expat Americans and Europeans (who the Japanese find disturbing).

At Christmas you dress like Santa. It's a reasonable stretch from the Shinto festivals that have a ritual uniform. At Halloween you can dress like anything. It doesn't fit the mold.

Recreation costume, while something weird to be grown out of, still falls at the fringes of ritual dress. Original costume doesn't.