Hiroshi Saito and Michel Lebon

Modern Tokyo Times

Tokyo lifestyle is an amazing experience for Tokyoites, tourists and expatriates. The wealth of choices and things to do are boundless in this mega-city. Another amazing feature is that unlike many famous international cities in the world, this ultra-modern capital is extremely safe compared with certain no-go areas in parts of London, Paris, Los Angeles, and so forth, which all have zones of danger. Therefore, the Tokyo “magnet” keeps on drawing people to this fantastic city because of the richness of the lifestyle.

If individuals adore fashion then the choices are endless in this high octane city. The first recommendation is Omotesando because this part of Tokyo shares the same “fashion hub” which belongs to Aoyama, Harajuku and Shibuya. The sheer size of this enormous “fashion hub” is a wonder to behold.

In Aoyama and Omotesando you will find the crème de la crème of fashion companies and of course Harajuku and Shibuya are equally blessed with some of the finest boutiques to be found in the world. The main difference is that while Harajuku and Shibuya have a noticeable youthful angle which endears teenagers and young adults, the Omotesando and Aoyama angle is mainly based on sophistication.

In saying that, the backstreets of Omotesando are also blessed with independent boutiques which cater for young adults. This especially applies to the casual angle and the power of American fashion mixed with Tokyo fashion can be felt richly. However, the main emphasis in Omotesando and Aoyama applies to the age group between the middle of the twenties to the early forties. Of course, individuals who are younger and older are fully catered for despite the above age group being the target area.

Indeed, the sophistication of some of the boutiques and high price ranges in Aoyama and Omotesando – means that purchasing power of the most exquisite designer clothes is the main focus and not specifically the age group. Of course, this will exclude the target angle being teenagers within the main areas which are blessed with adorable boutiques of extreme quality. Therefore, more mature adults will have ample opportunities to buy adorable items and purchase other top quality fashion goods in Omotesando and Aoyama.

The electric vibe of Omotesando is most noticeable because it is a place to explore and enjoy. Omotesando Hills and Tokyu Plaza Omotesando Harajuku (Omohara) have altered the landscape of old Omotesando. However, both fantastic malls cater for fashion lovers and other areas related to lifestyle in Tokyo.

One major feature of major cities like Tokyo and Osaka is the reality of anime and otaku culture. In Tokyo you have many fantastic places to visit in order to fulfill your anime and otaku love affair. One essential shop to visit is Mandrake which is the number one company in Japan for secondhand items related to anime, manga and otaku culture. This company can be found throughout Japan.

Mandrake (http://ekizo.mandarake.co.jp/shop/en/) caters for magazines, hentai comics, art books, cosplay, photography, Bishojo figures, Yaoi doujinshi (brand new and second hand), and a host of other areas. The CEO of this company commented that “Our mission is to take over the world using manga and otaku things” While Mandrake can be found throughout Tokyo and Japan, the store in Nakano in Tokyo is special because of its history related to this vibrant company.

Another fantastic company to visit is Animate which is located in Ikebukuro. Indeed, Ikebukuro fashion is also fantastic. This notably applies to fashion malls including Lumine, Esola, Marui, Parco, Tobu Department Store and Seibu Department Store. Also, you have other areas which focus on casual fashion therefore Ikebukuro is awash with fashion companies catering for many different styles.

Turning back to Animate then Patrick Macias in The Guardian (UK newspaper) states that Animate is“specifically catering to female otaku.”  He further comments that the “Eight floors are mostly populated by otaku teens and young adults, and filled with the requisite anime goods and merchandise, but the real selling point here is the large selection of homoerotic-themed manga and novels from the “boy’s love” genre, a popular and influential subculture within a subculture.” 

Animate (http://www.animate.co.jp/) also appeals because unlike the relentless hustle and bustle of this scene in Akihabara, this store is a treasure by itself within a vibrant fashion district in Tokyo. The angle of catering for female otaku is also an added bonus along with selling products which cater for otaku fans in general.

Overall, it is clear that Tokyo lifestyle is extremely diverse and this article only delves into a small area of life in Tokyo. However, Tokyo lifestyle is blessed by the reality of fashion and otaku culture irrespective if this angle appeals to individuals or not. Without such a vibrant fashion and otaku culture then Tokyo wouldn’t be the same place.

Lee Jay Walker gave support to both main writers of this article

All fashion images taken by Modern Tokyo Times.

leejay@moderntokyotimes.com

http://moderntokyotimes.com

Michel Le Bon and Lee Jay Walker

Modern Tokyo Times

Victoria Centeno (http://www.victoriacosplay.com/) is a stunning cosplayer from the United States and in these images she shows the grace of herself and connects easily with the fans of Hatsune Miku. In the world of reality and unreality, then for many individuals Hatsune Miku is the perfect girlfriend, friend, character, and for cosplay lovers, then an amazing character to imitate. Therefore, Modern Tokyo Times was honored when the exquisite Victoria Centeno agreed to model in the image of Hatsune Miku.

In the world of cosplay Victoria Centeno is called “Cosplay Girl” in the United States and clearly this stunning cosplayer and model is highly respected and in demand. Over several years her reputation keeps on rising because of her sultry looks and amazing versatility. This means that Victoria Centeno, just like Hatsune Miku, can bridge cultures and different thought patterns because of her gracefulness.

Victoria Centeno comments on her website that “I work as a full time preschool teacher and part time model. My cosplay has been featured on multiple sites including Entertainment Weekly, MTV’s Blog and Rolling Stone. I have also appeared in Latina Magazine and was named the Queen of Cosplay by the Modern Tokyo Times and Axiom Magazine. I am Miss April in the Angry Girls 2012 calendar. My image has been featured in everything from television commercials to comic books. I’m an official Slave Leia model for Gentle Giant Studios and have worked as a booth babe for other companies and products such as the Terminal Alice comic. I’ve participated in the Women of Wonder Day charity event for the past two years. I’ve been cosplaying since 2006.”

Therefore, with cosplay and modeling running through her veins the “desire” of Modern Tokyo Times was for Victoria Centeno and Hatsune Miku to meet in the world of cosplay. After all, (http://www.victoriacosplay.com/) anyone who views this website will note how this beautiful cosplayer can play stunning cosplay roles of adoreable characters. This meant that the image of Hatsune Miku which is so appealing in Japan and internationally, had to be played by a lady who could bring her unique and sultry looks to this character, and without a shadow of a doubt Victoria Centeno filled the bill one hundred per cent.

Hatsune Miku

In Japan even people outside of the world of anime and the world of Vocaloid understand the image of Hatsune Miku. This means that for the world of cosplay Hatsune Miku is also a dream ticket because of her gracefulness, stunning figure, adorable features, and so forth. Not only this, Hatsune Miku is extremely cute and her persona changes for all individuals who love this character.

Therefore, just like the professional cosplayer should enter the world of the character that they portray; then the cosplayer and Hatsune Miku meet perfectly in the middle in the world of reality and unreality. The persona of Hatsune Miku changes for each individual and alternatively the cosplayer changes their individual persona to blend naturally with the character they are highlighting.

Clearly, the images taken by the esteemed photographer, Carl Maiorino, shows that Victoria Centeno changed her persona. Therefore, after putting on the beautiful costume the sultry looks of this elegant cosplayer entered the world of Hatsune Miku.

The digital avatar from Japan is now big business throughout the world and the popularity will surely continue because of the versatility of Hatsune Miku. Also, the lovely eyes and pony tails appeal sexually to other individuals and given that you can’t argue with Hatsune Miku, then for many this character is the “perfect girlfriend” in the world of reality and unreality.

Therefore, the fan base of Hatsune Miku keeps on growing and runs into the millions. Not only this, major companies like Toyota want to join the bandwagon because of the marketability of the “adorable Hatsune Miku.” Indeed, Victoria Centeno looks “like a refreshing ray of sunshine” in a world which often is surrounded by stress or mundaneness. However, when you see the elegance and beauty of Victoria Centeno in such stunning cosplay images of Hatsune Miku, then you can understand why some people prefer the “perfect vocaloid.”

The Anime Nation website commented that “No other character in the history of anime has ever become quite so widely and lovingly embraced by not only otaku but by mainstream Japanese society and the larger world. Hatsune Miku may be the most fascinating character ever to appear in the anime world because so many different attributes concentrate within her persona. By design and circumstance, Hatsune Miku encapsulates and represents a greater spectrum of concepts interesting to otaku than any other character to have ever emerged from the anime/manga universe.”

“Otaku have been fascinated with the concept of a digital idol since the 1985 OVA Megazone 23. Hatsune Miku is literally a real Eve Tokimatsuri, a completely fictional digital idol singer whose popularity has spilled over into actual mainstream society. Hatsune Miku is, in effect, an anime concept actually developing and existing in real life.”

In a past article featuring the adorable Victoria Centeno she commented that “I enjoy breathing life into characters that I love and respect. Cosplay is a form of self and artistic expression. I love the process and being creative.”

This says everything about this charming and sophisticated lady who balances such a busy work schedule with complete professionalism. Victoria Centeno bridges different characters and cultures with ease because of her professionalism, stunning features, vibrancy, and love of cosplay. Indeed, these characteristics for the lovers of Hatsune Miku match very well.

Modern Tokyo Times would like to thank Victoria Centeno for being such a graceful and beautiful model. Also, Modern Tokyo Times would like to thank Carl Maiorino who took such amazing images. It is hoped that one day Victoria Centeno will grace Tokyo and witness the power of cosplay in Japan.

http://www.victoriacosplay.com/ – Victoria Centeno

http://www.carlmphotography.com/ Carl Maiorino

http://www.animenation.net/blog/2011/02/14/ask-john-why-is-hatsune-miku-so-popular/

leejay@moderntokyotimes.com

http://moderntokyotimes.com

Images belong to Modern Tokyo Times but can be used on request providing you highlight the name of the model and photographer. Also, quote Modern Tokyo Times.

Michel Lebon and Lee Jay Walker

Modern Tokyo Times

Veronica Jullian (PuchysLOVE) is a stunning cosplayer from Mexico and her astonishing looks means that this talented lady can play various classy characters with ultimate ease.  Not only this, but Veronica clearly loves Japanese cosplay and international cosplay and this can be seen by her diverse and exquisite images.

Veronica is from Mexico City and this elegant young lady will turn 26 years old on September 19.  However, despite her young age it is apparent that cosplay runs through her veins because Veronica first started doing cosplay eleven years ago.

This charming lady is extremely busy and she is also a cosmaker and does cosplay commission when time permits.  Veronica prefers to wear cosplay in a natural environment rather than enter contests.  This is a blessing in disguise for cosplayers who enter contests because Veronica with her elegance and style would certainly be challenging for number one spot.

Veronica is extremely articulate and her Alice in Wonderland image shows her stunning beauty and this is matched by a beautiful pose which melts the heart.

Mexican magazines have highlighted Veronica and this enabled many people to see a glimpse of her world and clearly her lovely features hit a chord. Veronica who is also a cosmaker is a perfect example of cosplay and how this art form is gracing the world.

Victoria Centeno (Cosplay Girl) was recently highlighted on Modern Tokyo Times and both Victoria and Veronica are a cut above.  This applies to elegance, style, panache and both ladies ooze sophistication and open-up a world where cosplay, modeling, art and class come together.

Veronica is also invited to important cosplay conventions and for more than 5 years this graceful and stunning lady travelled all over Mexico and participated as a guest and luckily for the cosplay world she will continue to bless conventions in the future.

Cosplay appeals to Veronica because she can play and enter the world of her favourite characters. Also, Veronica loves cosplay because it increases self-confidence and natural skills like sewing, crafts, and learning about other cultures, is part of the cosplay world.

Veronica also gets great satisfaction when people recognize her cosplay and appreciate all the hard work put into the costume, make up, visual image, intricate designs and entering the world of the character on show.  This, to Veronica, is much more rewarding than trying to win competitions.

This fact, and the emphasis by Veronica on meeting new friends with similar interests, and being a cosmaker, is ample evidence that this lady is a true cosplayer.

Veronica hopes one day to visit Japan in order to experience the “culture, history, traditions, architecture, beliefs, and legends.” Also, with Veronica’s stunning looks and images which focus on “cuteness” then kawaii culture and fashion in Harajuku would surely interest this elegant lady.

Modelling and photography also appeals to Veronica and clearly both suit this talented lady.  Veronica also describes her style as “cute” because nearly all of her cosplay is based on characters which are cute.

The readership of Modern Tokyo Times will certainly support Veronica when she says her style is “cute” but add a little more by stating “amazingly cute and elegant.”

Hopefully one day this charming lady will grace Tokyo and Japan because “cosplay is in her heart” and her love of knowledge means that Veronica is a special lady.

http://puchyslove.blogspot.com/ – Please visit Veronica Jullian (PuchysLOVE)

http://puchys.deviantart.com/ Veronica Jullian (PuchysLOVE)

https://www.facebook.com/PuchysLOVECosplay Veronica Jullian (PuchysLOVE)

http://moderntokyotimes.com

Michel Lebon and Lee Jay Walker

Modern Tokyo Times

Victoria Centeno is a cosplayer from America and this articulate young lady is clearly going places. Her looks are elegant, stylish and interactive and her charm is working wonders because Victoria is in demand.

Axiom magazine named Victoria “The Queen of Cosplay” and she was also named the 28th “Most Famous American Cosplay Model” by www.miccostumes.com and surely she will continue to rise.  Victoria was also highlighted by Entertainment Weekly in the article titled “Slave Leia: Some Assembly Required.”

The Slave Leia theme is certainly blossoming and Victoria with her stunning features, elegance and panache, became the official Slave Leia model for Gentle Giant studios. Japanese cosplay fans and international fans of Hatsune Miku would surely love to see Victoria in costumes showing this powerful image.

Victoria is also a model for the comic book “Terminal Alice” by Big City Comics and because of her versatility she can pull off countless numbers of different characters. Latina Magazine also featured Victoria and the same applies to being featured on Rolling Stone, MTV, Esquire, The Hollywood Reporter and G4TV.

Dark Horse Comics also recognized the sparkle and sultry looks of Victoria because she was Buffy the Vampire Slayer in a national advert for this company. Victoria is also a model for the Preston and Steve show and her interviews include Newsarama, Supergirl Forever, Major Spoilers and Impulse Gamer.

Victoria in her free time loves to study Ancient Egyptian history and her hobbies include doll collecting, writing, video games and meditation. Therefore, the lady who can play so many characters is also extremely articulate and her horizons are deep.

The meditation angle and love of ancient Egyptian history adds to her charm and sophistication. Therefore, in the cosplay world Victoria stands out and this is why she is in such demand.  Also, I hasten to add that images of Victoria posing like Cleopatra suit this sultry lady because of her sublime looks and mysterious nature.

Victoria told the Modern Tokyo Times that she loves cosplay because of its creativity and artistic nature.  She stated that “I enjoy breathing life into characters that I love and respect. Cosplay is a form of self and artistic expression. I love the process and being creative.”

This comment by Victoria sums her up well because clearly this cosplayer and model is not only charming and sophisticated, but more important, her passion and energy stands out.

In Japan many cosplay fans will hope to see Victoria in many Hatsune Miku poses because this image is extremely potent in the land of the rising sun.

Irrespective of the character that Victoria plays or if she turns to modeling more, the simple truth is that her fan base will be waiting and encouraging her.

Victoria is a lady with passion in abundance and the lady of today will be extremely different from the individual who took her first steps into the cosplay world.  However, the passion that enabled her to take this path is firmly entrenched within her soul and her fan base will wish her every success in the future.

Cosplay is very potent in Tokyo and throughout Japan and one day it is hoped that Victoria will grace the cosplayer scene in vibrant Tokyo.

http://www.cosplaygirl.webs.com Victoria Centeno

http://cosplaygirl.webs.com/modelingphotos.htm Victoria Centeno and stunning model photos of this exquisite lady.

http://cosplaygirl.webs.com/fanart.htm Victoria Centeno

http://www.bigcitycomics.com/

http://www.terminalalice.com/

http://www.gentlegiantstudios.com/

All images provided by Victoria Centeno and please check her website for more information from this stunning cosplayer and model.  Her contact details is on her website.

http://moderntokyotimes.com

Michel Lebon

Modern Tokyo Times

Chouzuki Maryou is a gorgeous and full bodied ero-cosplayer and in a land where so many females are thin then her body and sexuality shines right through.  It is obvious in Japan that maid café, elements of cosplay, ero-cosplay, explicit manga, love hotels, and chican on trains and selling on video, that sexuality is everywhere and the sex trade is enormous and a growing sector.

One only needs to look at young lady groups strutting around in thigh high boots and other sexy forms of style, to understand the reality of what sells.  Why not?  In my beloved France we have the Moulin Rouge and famous cancan dance and the history of this astounding place is so rich and even today La Goulue (Louise Weber – 1865-1929) remains a legend.

Therefore, I marvel at the natural beauty of Chouzuki Maryou because she is busty, natural and curvy. The fashion model type ladies on Japanese television and dancers at the Moulin Rouge often look so perfect and flexible in movement. However, what about more buxom ladies who don’t fill the bill in the glamour industry……is their beauty not wanted?

Cosplay is about escapism and dreaming about a different world but if you go to any major convention it is obvious that the sexual side is important.  With Chouzuki Maryou, she goes one step further because she is proud to be an adorable ero-cosplayer and to feel the sexual side of her nature.

Chouzuki Maryou says “I originally liked 18+ ero-doujinshi, so I’m trying to do something like that, but in the photographic medium – it’s great fun!”

It is apparent that Chouzuki Maryou is happy and proud of what she does and her radiant smile is evidence of this and clearly she is in control of her destiny.  Her photo shoots and dress style is very far from the Moulin Rouge but sexuality links them but in different ways.

If anything, the old photos of naked French ladies which are exhibited in art museums relate to Chouzuki Maryou.  This applies to innocence despite the sexuality of old naked images of French ladies and the photo shoots of Chouzuki Maryou.

Of course, you have much hypocrisy in the world because if a famous artist of the past painted a naked lady it was deemed to be culture and art. Therefore, I see the artistic nature of Chouzuki Maryou and old images of French ladies who seem so delectable and pure.

Chouzuki Maryou may not be your usual sexual pin-up but her natural body, within the slimness of the majority of Tokyo ladies, stands out. Also, her buxom figure and ero-cosplay images show innocence despite the subject matter being based on sexuality.

The old sexual photos of France are the same because despite the subject matter you have a gracefulness about the images.  Maybe it is nostalgia and this could also be the connection with Chouzuki Maryou because in Japan it is easy to have nostalgia for buxom ladies because you don’t see so many.

Irrespective of the reason, dreaming about Chouzuki Maryou and old Paris is not so bad because in both I can escape.  In this sense, maybe the real cosplayer is my mind?

http://moderntokyotimes.com

 By toshidama

chikanobu

Some people say, ‘why Japanese prints?’… or, ‘it’s a bit niche isn’t it?’ Well, yes and no. The market for Japanese prints is large. Pensive Love, 1790, by Utamaro fetched €313,00 at auction in 2002. A fine Hiroshige can sell for up to $30,000 at the moment. There are major sales by all the big auction houses twice a year, and all the major international museums have large collections and put on regular exhibitions. Ukiyo-e, or pictures of the floating world, are a major art form, they are a good solid investment and the market is stable and rising. Most of all they’re simply unbelievably beautiful.

Hokusai

The nice thing about collecting Japanese prints is that the period is fairly confined, the artists are very consistent and the prices are mainly affordable. It’s still within most budgets to purchase a first edition Kuniyoshi and see it in a major exhibition or illustrated in a text book.

Hiroshige

The key thing, as in all art collecting is to love the work, love the artist… become involved in their world, their dreams, their obsessions. The Utagawa School is a good place to start. The work of these artists is popular, available and accessible, there are plenty of text books available and a lot of good online source material. We can point you in the direction of online resources if you see something you like and want to find out more about it. This blog is intended to open the window on an art form, and a world of decadence and mystery gone for ever.

Illustrated is Thirty-Two Aspects of Customs and Manners: Looking itchy – The Appearance of a Kept Woman of the Kansei Era, 1888, from the current exhibition at the Toshidama Gallery. It’s a ‘trophy piece’, if you like. It’s a very famous print; a Google search will take you to it as a large image on Wikipedia and it tends to be the representative image of this artist. It is a fine and knowing piece of drawing and a fine example of the skill of the printmaker.

Please visit http://toshidama.wordpress.com for more articles and information. 

Please visit http://toshidama-japanese-prints.com/  -   On our site you will see a wonderful selection of Japanese woodblock prints for sale. Ukiyo-e (the Japanese name for woodblock prints of the 18th and 19th centuries) are beautiful, collectible and a sound financial investment.

http://toshidama.wordpress.com/2010/10/03/why-japanese-prints/