Listen,
I never want to leave. Tokyo, I love you.
Being here is like being in New York in some ways. It’s very comfortable. It’s a very familiar feeling and way of life I really enjoy. I guess this is how most international cities are like, Paris, London, NY, LA, etc. It’s just 24/7 surreal to me. I’m like, “how do people live here?” I’m so drawn to it it’s crazy. The people are so fucking polite, kind, lovely… the language barrier deal is still killing me, but that lack of communication is so endearing. Just a bunch of polite smiles and nods, leading to some sort of understanding between both people.
I think I lost what I was doing like day 4. I can’t even remember. It’s been so much shit. And we still have until Tuesday here. I would live here. I so would. For a couple months I think. And make work. It’s been life changing to say the least.
I can’t believe I’m 7,000 miles away. I finally have gotten used to the jet lag, yes it’s 12:30pm while you are ending your day, I am starting mine. I’m watching television that I don’t understand and I hear Pase snooring. I’m sorry to put you on blast, but you are. Lovez u.
I think that’s been one of my favorite aspects of this trip — the bond that we are developing that I think can only be made by traveling with someone on such an intimate level. I feel like we are fucking touring — cramped corners, constant moving, lack of sleep. But when we finally do get to hang out and chill, it’s lots of life talks, cigarettes (you can smoke inside) and lovely dinners. Pase, I know you hate the internet, but if you read this, I love you homie. Thank you for everything. BIG IN JAPAN!
Forgive Pase for looking like a convicted felon, we made him shave his beard last night. Looks about 15 now. But these little babiez are made by the Cheki. We have YONNNNNE to thank for this camera and his collab with Fuji.
He has two he brought along so I’ve been going nuts with it. Instant fun. I so want one.
We haven’t raged out on the town actually. We are going to try to go to this club tonight that he is DJing at tomorrow. For the most part we’ve been doing the like, life changing shit. Yeah I said that. I’m talking about temples in your fucking face, lots of beautiful monuments, all of that. It’s made me feel real small, real fast. It’s been incredible. It was fun to get away from the mainstreamy part of Tokyo (sort of like how Times Square would be to NY) and see some real shit. Tiny little roads, lanterns lit with different colors — certain imagery I could only conjure up in dreams.
So we were walking around and then this happened.
WE FOUND PURIKURA! プリクラ Which is a word derived from their type of Photo Booth. God. I had a fucking seizure in that place. Just watch these videos. First one is us searching for one then entering the place. It’s just sensory overload. The second is after have completed the photos and printing them out. Try not to die with the music.
[vimeo 9851451]
[vimeo 9851231]
That shit is crazy. I’m so fascinated by it. Like why, whyyyyyy! The way they portray girls is just beyond me. I’m so into it. I get it you know, like I get why it is. But experiencing it was a different thing.
[vimeo 9900618]
So it happened. Tuesday we found Yone in front of La Foret in Harajuku and I was stoked. Yes I wanted my picture taken, but for the most part I just wanted to hear him talk. I’m really intrigued by the work. On a surface level it can look really raunchy lacking substance — I used to think that. But hearing him discuss it made me realize what it really is. It’s a study of Japanese girls honestly, the differences in how they are portrayed by society and their liberated versions. To me anyways, not his words. That’s how I see it, and that’s where I find the beauty in Yone’s work, especially this book Tokyo Amour.
Yone knows everyone. We were walking to one of his many studios and it was all “what uppp” to anyone walking. We picked up this one girl named Myu, she helped translate sorta. She has been photographed by Yone and is a dancer. After this little introductory meeting we left and went to his actual studio, the first one was a private one. And this shit was crazy. Like I’m saying all IKEA-ed out, painted walls, beautiful view, straight retarded. Blah I died. We kept running into people on the street, or he’d invite people over ranging from 20 year old models to adults in their 40s just all there to hang.
I was straight blazed and received godamn shiatsu from Yone. Apparently he’s known for his killer massages. I died. So painful, you don’t realize how much toil your body receives. My wrists, my temples, my neck. He dug his knee into my back. AMAZING. Like, I can’t believe that happened. I’m still laughing about it.
Oh right. I have another fascination with their television programs. I couldn’t figure out for the life of me what this show was about.
[vimeo 9900335]
I come home Tuesday, leave Narita at 7pm and arrive in New York at 6pm. I’ll be there two days. I think within those two days I’ll feel the effects of Japan. Right now I can’t. I haven’t even processed the fact that I graduated college. I really haven’t.
Anyways, I’ve bombarded the internet enough with my rants.
Tokyo, you’re beautiful.
xo,
ysa