by Alejandro Jaimes-Larrarte
A Look at Sundays in Yoyigi Park, Tokyo
Article rating: 6.96
Harajuku is a trendy young area of Tokyo. At the corner of Yoyogi park, near one of the entrances of the famous Meji-Jingu shrine, groups of teenage girls meet every Sunday for what can be called "costume play." The teenage girls gather in groups, put on make up and dress as "Gothlolis" (short for Gothic Lolitas) as some other young Japanese call them. They wear fake blood and bandages, and dark outfits often combined with traditional Japanese clothing (kimonos, fans) and modern Japanese symbols (hello kitties, cell phones, photo stickers). What drives these girls to dress in such outrageous outfits in a weekly ceremony that lasts only a few hours?
Some of the answers are more immediately visible. For example, we know some of them are imitating rock bands such as Japan X. However, as with all cultural symbols, there are likely to be deeper reasons beyond fashion. The weekly play allows them to temporarily escape, within a group, all of the rules of Japanese society. It gives them individuality not as easily expressible while in their weekday school uniforms, it gives them a voice to express, often in very sexual ways (with ripped stockings, garters, and mini-skirts, etc.), the oppression of the female gender in the largely male dominated Japanese society.
This series of photographs is a look into the reasons for the weekly costume play in Harajuku. My interest lies not so much on the symbols themselves, but rather on what the girls actually express, in my own subjective interpretation. The camera is the channel that carries the dialogue between them and I; a fundamental tool that for an instant allows me (an outsider) to enter their world. They break the rules and look directly in my eye, through the lens, giving us a glimpse of what's behind this weekly ritual.
Technical details:
All photos were shot on Fuji Film. I don't believe in rules for photography, so for this series I used Fuji Velvia 50 (often not a good choice for portraits), Fuji Velvia 100, and a 50 mm lens (often not a good choice for portraits). I often see people photographing the Harajuku girls with 200 mm and larger zooms. Up to half a block away. I am sure they get great shots but I am not interested in great shots. You cannot connect with the sitter from a half a block away.
Bio
Alejandro Jaimes-Larrarte is a Colombian artist and multimedia research scientist. He uses multiple media (photography, film, video, and writing) to explore issues related to cultural awareness and identity. He currently lives and works in Tokyo, Japan. Visit Alejandro's website here...
i love the pictures!!! the style and color, as well as their look overall is great! i seem to be more interested in the harijuku style.
Posted by: Carissa M Jul 28, 2006 @ 7:5 PM EST
nice to hear his american viewpoint in a sensitive kinda way really great wording great pictures.
Posted by: melissa Aug 23, 2006 @ 8:57 AM EST
wow!! these pictures are awesome!!
Posted by: manga Oct 18, 2006 @ 3:0 PM EST
Thanks for posting this! I actually am a "Harajuku Girl" myself. I live in Japan very close to Harajuku. This website article gave me more ideas.
Thanks!
Posted by: Ashley Owens Oct 30, 2006 @ 6:46 PM EST
I love harajuku style. They are awesome!!!
Posted by: rere Dec 2, 2006 @ 5:35 AM EST
Love the photos!!!!! American Photographer that would love to come there and photograph some of the people in Harajuku!!!!!!
www.estillrobinson.com
Posted by: estill Dec 6, 2006 @ 9:7 AM EST
i'm very like this photo!!!! congratulation for HARAJUKU GIRLS!!!!
Posted by: nur sahelah Jan 10, 2007 @ 8:57 PM EST
i'm very like this photo!!!! congratulation for HARAJUKU GIRLS!!!!
Posted by: nur sahelah Jan 10, 2007 @ 8:58 PM EST
..i'm an italian girl...these photo are great!! ..i really love japanese style, in particular the harajuku one...in italy we call it gothic lolita.. :) ..my sister and i dream to come in japan one day...i hope this dream will come true!! bye...
Posted by: bea Jan 30, 2007 @ 10:17 AM EST
I love harajuku girls they are so pretty! I got all the harajuku lovers bags and shirts and stuff. I love them. My friend Gwen introduced them to me!!!~!
Posted by: celeste Feb 19, 2007 @ 10:58 PM EST
i love the way you talk about the cenection between u and the girls. plus i love the photo they are great.
Posted by: bex Mar 7, 2007 @ 7:36 AM EST
i love these girls!! these colors,style,make up it;s GREAT!!!!
Posted by: lucushik Mar 11, 2007 @ 9:53 AM EST
The most sublimate fashion girls. I love this look! That's how my girl should look like. Fantastic!
Posted by: Giorgio Apr 8, 2007 @ 9:59 AM EST
i love harajuku girls, their sense of fashion is soo wild that its hot!! i love it.....am gonna start ma own way of harajuku fashion....thank you for your influence girls
Posted by: April Apr 10, 2007 @ 9:46 AM EST
great story
Posted by: str Apr 17, 2007 @ 4:10 AM EST
I am looking for someone to submit Harajuku girl images for my magazine - Vicious. If you are interested, please send me an email to megan@viciousmag.com
Posted by: Megan - VICIOUS MAGAZINE -megan@viciousmag.com Apr 21, 2007 @ 9:24 AM EST
Very helpful. I was curious about what harajuku girls looked like and this article answered my question. Good pictures!
Posted by: Lissette Whitehead - Rosarito, Mexico Apr 22, 2007 @ 1:7 AM EST
im a harajuku myself!!
Posted by: Yuki Jun 13, 2007 @ 11:32 AM EST
great! more experiment . .. . . .
Posted by: zachan Jul 11, 2007 @ 7:3 AM EST
It's cool, i love Japan Soooo much.... Even i never go to Japan..
Posted by: Putri Aug 3, 2007 @ 12:26 PM EST
wow..iluv harajuku girls even though im a boy.
all the stuf and goodies i take it if i have a chance..
more pictures
Posted by: creon Aug 30, 2007 @ 3:11 AM EST
I LUV THEIR FASHOIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
i need it +_+
Posted by: gReEnRoZ Oct 25, 2007 @ 11:49 PM EST
posers!!! there must be something else for you to do on a sunday... but hey, i'll come and stare at you for my own entertainment...
Posted by: e Oct 30, 2007 @ 7:39 PM EST
Harijuku??
WHy noT...........
It's Great
Posted by: Tira Dec 17, 2007 @ 9:13 AM EST
Harijuku??
WHy noT...........
It's Great
Posted by: Tira Dec 17, 2007 @ 9:18 AM EST
wow i love these girls,,, rock on!!! ;)
ucusanbogalar@hotmail.com
Posted by: hoobagirlesra Jan 19, 2008 @ 5:33 AM EST
the best pic is the last one!!!!! lolz
sexy babes
xxxx
Posted by: C.C.J.M Feb 6, 2008 @ 8:27 AM EST
when you have sex the dick goes in the vagina
if anyone was worrying about this question then here is the answer
ta bbzz
Posted by: jammy sex idol Feb 6, 2008 @ 8:30 AM EST
WOW, I am from Australia & Im now a Harajuku fan!!! I was curious about the whole harajuku girl thing, now I know a bit of background & I find it all rather fascinating!!! Very stylish, raw, expressive & in your face.......Love it!!! Keep up the good work Harajuku Girls!
