bazilsoup

[bazilsoup]

6/5

Article and Project Reflection #2

What I’m finding interesting is that most of the recent articles in English regarding Japanese fashion and subcultures, is that most of them discuss how to make it marketable to an international, primarily western audience. I read a few articles this time but one in particular stood out, an article from the Japan Times, “Japanese fashion can no longer afford to play hard to get” by Samual Thomas. Who, by chance, is the author of the last article I reflected on. He seems to be one of the few people doing contemporary reporting on Japanese fashion in the English news sphere. Back to the article, in it Thomas discusses how prior to the mid 2000s, Japanese fashion was extremely rare outside of Japan. These days, lower end (as in opposite of high end/designer) Japanese fashion that is easily marketable, such as fast fashion brands like UNIQLO, have made their way into the international market with ease. Yet both high end designer fashion and alternative fashion have remained much more localized in Japan. Thomas notes how Japanese Fashion Week operates on a different schedule to the main fashion cycle common in places such as Europe. It is interesting how Thomas speaks to how Japan needs to adapt to the global fashion cycles in these times, yet in the same article notes how successful Japanese fashion and substyles have been within their own borders and communities since they were created. I think Thomas, and other authors whose work I have read are missing the point. I wanted to find more about the development of Japanese fashion and how those communities are faring here and now, yet all that seems to be written about them recently is how they can be marketed to those outside of Japan.

[bazilsoup]

6/29

Today we did some sketches in Yoyogi Park. We were given some materials and were told to shut off our phones for at least 45 minutes to do some reflection. The point of the exercise was to zoom in and out of our surroundings without distractions. I found it really relaxing, I found a stump in the shade to sit on and sketch from. I’ve done similar exercises before in some of my art classes, so this wasn’t too hard to settle into. For my drawing of the plant, I focused on capturing all the details and contour of just this small plant and nothing else. It was incredibly therapeutic and I kinda want to draw more plants now.

The next drawing I did was a little bigger. I was attempting to capture the contour and depth of the tress against the sky as I looked up. My pen was small so it was hard to cover larger areas. Also looking up for 20 minutes hurt a lot, do not recommend.

Also drew a tree stump. Anyways I’m pretty sure I have sunburn now, very fun.

[bazilsoup]

6/28

Contemporary article and project reflection

The focus of my project is the history as well as the current state of Japan’s alternative fashion subcultures, specifically those developed as a tool of empowerment for women. It was hard to find more recent articles in the preliminary search without getting incredibly specific on certain styles or areas. I did, however, find this article by The Japan Times titled: Will Japan's pop culture and fashion spheres ever find common ground? By Samual Thomas. The article focuses on one particular fashion subculture ‘pop’ or fan styling, which is the use of popular media, such as movies, games, or in the articles case anime in clothing products. The article speaks to the discourse in Japan's fashion sphere in regards to using popular culture in new clothes. While not a new phenomenon, Japan’s earliest major use of media in fashion was fashion designer for Beast:Beauty, Takao Yamashita’s, Mobile Suit Gundam collection in 1998, there is some hesitation to fully embrace the union between pop culture and fashion. Japan’s designers are torn between their ‘embarrassment’ at using anime and game designs in clothing when traditionally those interests were only displayed in one's home and the profit and market available to them by releasing such collab collections. As well as a growing push from both Yamashita’s generation and the current generation of fashion savvy youth to have clothing the collabs with their favorite shows and games made available to them at a variety of price points. This article was a great insight into the minds of both major high end designers as well as fast fashion brands like Uniqlo’s thoughts on how to appeal to young people. While it doesn’t focus that much on Japan specific fashion subcultures such as Gyaru, or Visual and Decora Kei (though Lolita style gets a brief mention as a popular market for Japan’s contemporary alternative youth) it serves a jumping off point for what the current broad feelings of Japan’s fashion industry are for both at home and abroad.

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2023/01/07/style/on-fashion-pop-culture-department-stores/

[bazilsoup]

6/23

Art as healing reflection:

I think art can be one of the most powerful tools for healing, but I generally maintain that it is just a tool and requires an effort to be used as such. On the individual level, the act of creating can be deeply personal and allow an individual to process emotions that can be hard to put words to or to talk about. Art serves as a conduit to make sure those emotions don’t remain trapped within oneself. Even if someone doesn’t create the art themselves, art still can be used as a tool for healing. In my own personal case, dealing with the recent traumatic loss of my cat, I have been using various artworks I encounter both online and in person as tools to allow me to process and work through my grief by examining the works. Art is not only a tool for the individual but also communities. Recently I’ve noticed trends of public art or online collectives or galleries going up that showcase art that serves to preserve the histories of minority communities as well as allow those groups to heal in the act of creating and enjoying the art. But the art itself is not inherently healing and I think it is vital to remember that. Since art is subjective, it is up to the individual and/or community to see a work of art or the act of creating and then choose subconsciously or consciously to use it as a tool to heal. And, honestly, I think that is beautiful.

[bazilsoup]

6/21

We went to the Tokyo National Museum today. As an art major and art history nerd I as having the time of my life. There were so many phenomenal works there, I can’t /truly/ pick a favorite. But there are two that have stuck closer to the forefront of my mind. The first would be “Eels” by Hayashi Jikko. “Eels” is a 19th century ink work on paper. What really stood out to my was the simplicity of the piece. The ink work was displayed in a room filled with many other similar paintings. Yet amongst the highly detailed depictions of graceful mountains and bustling towns, Hayashi’s use of minimal ink and stokes stands out. I felt very calm when sitting down and looking at it.

The other piece that still sticks with me were some of the insect and animal records from the records room because they are just so freaking cool. Several feet long scrolls filled with detailed drawings and notes on various creatures, like c’mon that’s awesome.

[bazilsoup]

6/19

Today was like the first ‘actual’ day of the program. I woke up super sore from dragging my suitcase all over Shibuya yesterday trying to get a taxi. Kirin and I got breakfast at the little konbini in the lobby and I still can’t decide if I liked the drink I got or not. After getting a tour of the NYC grounds and a crash course in the public transit system that I already kinda knew, Kirin and I stayed in Shinjuku to get lunch and work more on the assignment for the day. I wrote my first part of the reflection assignment on my thoughts on the NYC grounds. I like how much nature there is and how quiet it was compared to the bigger metropolitan areas I had been staying in before. We even saw a massive(!!!!) raven in the morning. Though some of the buildings kinda give me the creeps. For the second half, I did it in Shinjuku. Kirin and I got takeout for lunch and ended up eating on this balcony of the 14th floor of a department store. The view was breathtaking, we had a clear view of the sky tree. I did a one line sketch of the skyline, my drawing prof would be so proud. Overall I’m having so much fun, Japan has been a blast. It’s been so fun learning about and discussing the differences between here and home. I’m still not quite sure what I want to focus my own projects here on yet, though I have like a general idea of what I find interesting. Also I find writing blog posts a little awkward, sorry about that. I don’t like being perceived online, and I don’t want this to be too boring like an essay or too personal like diary. I think I’ll find a better balance and get more comfortable writing these posts over time. But anyways, I need to sleep now, enjoy the photos of the parts of the assignment i did physically.

[bazilsoup]

introduction :)

hello, since this is public I’ll go by baz here. I’m a 20yr university student and i use she/her. my major is art, though i want to also major in computer science and minor in japanese.

this summer I’m spending a month studying abroad in japan yippee and have to maintain this blog as a part of that.

to finish this intro up, quick fire facts: i love cats <3, my favorite manga is pandora hearts though literally no one reads it, and i hate fish meat so no sushi despite actually being in japan(cringe)

byebye

[bazilsoup]

greetings

me when i am required to maintain a blog for my study abroad and it has to public. so cool (*꧆▽꧆*)👍