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The Obsessed, Otaku, Tribes, and Subcultures of Japan by Irwin Wong and gestalten
The Obsessed is a book by Irwin Wong about otaku, tribes, and subcultures of Japan.
Otaku. The meaning may seem obvious enough. But it’s worthwhile reflecting on what exactly it is we think we know. The assumption of knowledge tends to close down critical inquiry and reinforce stereotypes, after all, and this is particularly problematic when it comes to otaku because the media has played such an important role in setting the parameters of discussion. With its dense web of popular print publications and television shows, Japan is extremely adept at creating media events and phenomena.
On the outskirts of Akihabara is an inter- esting cafe with a unique staff. Monster Party is a monster-themed cafe, but not in the traditional sense of Japan’s most famous kaiju, namely Godzilla. These monsters are cute kigurumi girls with one defining feature: Their masks are dominated by one gigantic eye in the center. These hitotsumemen (one-eyed masks) were created by the artist Ozawa Dango.
DJ Sumirock, who originally liked chanson and jazz, now lists her inspirations as Deadmau5, David Guetta, and Kraftwerk. As her fame spreads, she has found herself playing gigs overseas: “My New Zealand show sold out in 14 minutes.” Although she sometimes feels tired, Sumirock says she has many years left in her. “I was a child during the war,” she says. “My goal is to spread love and peace whether it be through food or music
One of the rarest sightings one can have in the jungle of Tokyo is a silver-bearded old man dressed in a schoolgirl’s sailor uniform. Tourists lucky enough to sight him can brag that they have seen the legendary Grow Hair, or Sailor Uniform Grandpa, a mythical figure in the kawaii fashion world. Meet this iconic character in The Obsessed by Irwin Wong.
The meaning of Lolita fashion, as it is known in Japan, has diverged quite far from the original connotations of the word “Lolita” in Nabokov’s 1955 book. Following the publication of that novel, the term began to be used to refer to a young girl who was unassumingly seductive despite her innocence. In Japan, however, it has come to encapsulate a style of dress that, while girlish in the extreme, is decidedly not intended to be attractive to the opposite sex.
In the college district of Takadanobaba, there is a hole-in-the-wall gyoza restaurant called Muro, which was founded in 1954. If you visit, you might see an elderly woman stir-frying vegetables behind the counter, a common sight in such family-owned businesses. What you might not expect, however, is that same old woman heading out to the clubs in the evening to spin tracks for partygoers until sunrise. This is DJ Sumirock, a Tokyo club icon and, as of 2021, the oldest DJ in the world at 86 years old.
Yamazaki Isao’s collection of video-game- related memorabilia numbers into the thousands. An avid collector of all things Nintendo, he also has a huge array of vintage, discontinued consoles from other makers too. Neither his parents’ home nor his own home in Tokyo has enough space to store it all. “Most of my collection is in long-term storage or on loan to various museums,” he says. “It would be madness to keep it in the house.”
Ozawa Dango debuted the character in 2012 at Design Festa, an event for indie artists and crafters, and was surprised by the positive reception, especially amongst women. “A lot of people wanted to buy one, so in 2014 I started selling them,” she says.
At the forefront of the chiptune music scene in Japan is the artist known as Toriena. Chiptune is electronic music typically composed by using the sound chips in vintage video-game consoles, and Toriena’s music stands apart in its dizzying complexity and depth. Born in Sapporo, she gained an appreciation of electronic music in high school and began dabbling in composing in university. Find out more about Toriena in The Obsessed by Irwin Wong.
It is said that otaku know no limit to expressing their passion, and the itasha is certainly proof of that. This car-modding phenomenon involves an owner plastering their car with decorations, decals, quotes, and every other imaginable thing related to their favorite character or anime. How much area should be covered? Every square inch if you can afford it. The result is eye-catching, sometimes even eye-watering.
Latex is usually associated with fetish fashion, but Kurage turns it into art. Kid’O, the creator of latex brand Kurage, has an interesting perspective on his label. “Kurage is like a spaceship going out to uncharted territories,” he says. “Every now and then, however, we have to take a detour to fix our ship or get supplies. Once that’s done, our journey begins anew.”

The Obsessed

Otaku, Tribes, and Subcultures of Japan

Whether it be Cosplay, Rockabilly, HipHop or Gothic: when the Japanese immerse a subculture, they do it like no other.

Sale price$29.00 Regular price$60.00

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Description

The otaku’s passion is all-consuming. Whether it be cosplay, gothic, or rockabilly, when the Japanese embrace a subculture, they do it like no other. From Lolita fashion and latex couture to neon-drenched big-rigs, anime-plastered vans, and chrome-heavy hot rods, subcultures in Japan are as varied as they are fascinating.

Delving into these worlds, The Obsessed reveals the extraordinary passion devotees have for their hobbies and lifestyles. With dazzling photography, on-the-ground interviews, and cultural essays, this book showcases a kaleidoscope of scenes and individuals drawn from Japan’s many countercultural groups.
The Obsessed, Otaku, Tribes, and Subcultures of Japan by Irwin Wong and gestalten
The Obsessed Sale price$29.00 Regular price$60.00

Free shipping over $49

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