Wow. I’ve seen this sort of things with an adult model before, but never with a child. I’m hoping her parents were close by. Did you just happen to stumble this? I guess this is how many people start their careers though….
Me too. Seen adult models countless times, but this was the first time to see somebody younger. Much younger.
Yeah, I was just walking by. About 6 photgogrphers in total. Not just these two. There was actually a woman a bit away, although whether she was the mother or not I really don’t know…
This clearly isn’t that unusual then, although that doesn’t make it any less strange. As I mentioned above, the mother may well have been nearby when I took the photo as well, but that arguably makes it even harder to fathom…
Okay, just my two cents: Japan, as everyone here should know by now, is c-crazy for kawai, and this is very cute. Also, we have zero idea what the context of this photo session is. People all over the world dress their kids up to be as cute as possible, and try to get them noticed by fashion and modeling agencies. Just because Japan is chock-full-o-pervs, doesn’t mean these guys are (or Lee, for that matter, who also took a picture). And Japan doesn’t have a thing on Germany for pervy (I should know, I used to be an adult video distributor. Nyuk-nyuk-nyuk. 😉 )
That being said, I’m convinced that this “kid” is really a thousand year old demon from Heck, and is trying to lure fresh meat inside her lair.
All joking aside, good call on the need to consider all the possibilities, particularly so considering Japan’s ongoing obsession with anything and everything kawaii. Very good call on my part in it as well. As I lined up the shot and focused on the girl, I became acutely aware of my own hypocrisy surrounded the whole thing. Mentally tutting at the fellas and severely questioning what they were doing, I was, in many ways, no different.
This ain’t flamenco
This ain’t no Wizard of Oz
..but in some countries they would be lighting the kindling for one photographer near a child in a duffle coat.
and it does appear someone is getting a big smile for a change?
I know. Rarely get smiles, and then get one in this, of all situations…
Yes, very good point. Like MrSatyre mentioned above, It’s very easy to jump to conclusions and condemn. Especially so without all the facts. I vaguely recall the case of the couple in either the US or UK who were investigated after dropping off some photos of their young children at bath time. An absurd reaction to regular family photos, but one presumably whipped up by the hysteria of tabloid campaigns and the like.
Whether purely innocent or not, this has been very interesting in regards the questions and suspicions a photo with very little context can produce. Certainly made me think.
Why do you people think this is creepy? Girl, the wall, plants, the door – everything looks like taken from fairy tale. Reminds me of Alice in wonderland, or some ‘Hayao Miyazaki ‘ ghibli scene. Girl is not ‘sexy’ at all, it is more sweet and innocent posing with hands behind her back, smiling at the camera. Just need to set your mind in different direction. I would like to see final image (from photographer in the image).
Very good point. You, Mr Satyre and John have definitely made me think more about this, and what exactly was going on.
There’s definitely less suspicion here than, say, in many western countries. I don’t do it often, but I have taken pictures of children here, whereas back in the U.K. I wouldn’t unless they were family. Just too much suspicion. As innocent as my motives would be, they quite possibly would be seen as very different.
At the same time, Japan has a history of fetishising youngsters which inevitably raises concerns. Although of course such a generalisation of something that’s far from mainstream isn’t healthy either.
Lots to think about, both in regards the men’s intentions and different mindsets — even cultures. I too would like to see the resultant images. They’d certainly cast more light on the matter. But as it is, it’s definitely raised more than a few very interesting questions.
Setting aside the dubious ethics of hawking a minors services for a cosplay photo-shoot in Golden Gai, the bar who’s entrance they have hi-jacked as backdrop has an interesting history and reinforced something unexpected I’d come across before; that many Japanese have a love of flamenco. There seem to be a lot of themed bars in the area, but this one seems more rooted than most.
A nice write up from five years ago. Nana bar, Golden Gai
Coli says
Wow. I’ve seen this sort of things with an adult model before, but never with a child. I’m hoping her parents were close by. Did you just happen to stumble this? I guess this is how many people start their careers though….
Lee says
Me too. Seen adult models countless times, but this was the first time to see somebody younger. Much younger.
Yeah, I was just walking by. About 6 photgogrphers in total. Not just these two. There was actually a woman a bit away, although whether she was the mother or not I really don’t know…
Harry says
Nicely captured but man that’s just so wrong……..
Lee says
Yes, it really is. Or at least it certainly seems that way…
D San says
Just saw this on busy daiba beach with 20 photographers and 2 young girls on Sunday. Their mother was there in that case. Very strange.
Lee says
This clearly isn’t that unusual then, although that doesn’t make it any less strange. As I mentioned above, the mother may well have been nearby when I took the photo as well, but that arguably makes it even harder to fathom…
MrSatyre says
Okay, just my two cents: Japan, as everyone here should know by now, is c-crazy for kawai, and this is very cute. Also, we have zero idea what the context of this photo session is. People all over the world dress their kids up to be as cute as possible, and try to get them noticed by fashion and modeling agencies. Just because Japan is chock-full-o-pervs, doesn’t mean these guys are (or Lee, for that matter, who also took a picture). And Japan doesn’t have a thing on Germany for pervy (I should know, I used to be an adult video distributor. Nyuk-nyuk-nyuk. 😉 )
That being said, I’m convinced that this “kid” is really a thousand year old demon from Heck, and is trying to lure fresh meat inside her lair.
Lee, you’re lucky you got out of there alive!
Lee says
Haha, now that is a good explanation!
All joking aside, good call on the need to consider all the possibilities, particularly so considering Japan’s ongoing obsession with anything and everything kawaii. Very good call on my part in it as well. As I lined up the shot and focused on the girl, I became acutely aware of my own hypocrisy surrounded the whole thing. Mentally tutting at the fellas and severely questioning what they were doing, I was, in many ways, no different.
Genuine food for thought.
john says
This ain’t flamenco
This ain’t no Wizard of Oz
..but in some countries they would be lighting the kindling for one photographer near a child in a duffle coat.
and it does appear someone is getting a big smile for a change?
Lee says
I know. Rarely get smiles, and then get one in this, of all situations…
Yes, very good point. Like MrSatyre mentioned above, It’s very easy to jump to conclusions and condemn. Especially so without all the facts. I vaguely recall the case of the couple in either the US or UK who were investigated after dropping off some photos of their young children at bath time. An absurd reaction to regular family photos, but one presumably whipped up by the hysteria of tabloid campaigns and the like.
Whether purely innocent or not, this has been very interesting in regards the questions and suspicions a photo with very little context can produce. Certainly made me think.
Milan Petrovic says
Why do you people think this is creepy? Girl, the wall, plants, the door – everything looks like taken from fairy tale. Reminds me of Alice in wonderland, or some ‘Hayao Miyazaki ‘ ghibli scene. Girl is not ‘sexy’ at all, it is more sweet and innocent posing with hands behind her back, smiling at the camera. Just need to set your mind in different direction. I would like to see final image (from photographer in the image).
Love the photo.
Lee says
Cheers.
Very good point. You, Mr Satyre and John have definitely made me think more about this, and what exactly was going on.
There’s definitely less suspicion here than, say, in many western countries. I don’t do it often, but I have taken pictures of children here, whereas back in the U.K. I wouldn’t unless they were family. Just too much suspicion. As innocent as my motives would be, they quite possibly would be seen as very different.
At the same time, Japan has a history of fetishising youngsters which inevitably raises concerns. Although of course such a generalisation of something that’s far from mainstream isn’t healthy either.
Lots to think about, both in regards the men’s intentions and different mindsets — even cultures. I too would like to see the resultant images. They’d certainly cast more light on the matter. But as it is, it’s definitely raised more than a few very interesting questions.
cdilla says
Setting aside the dubious ethics of hawking a minors services for a cosplay photo-shoot in Golden Gai, the bar who’s entrance they have hi-jacked as backdrop has an interesting history and reinforced something unexpected I’d come across before; that many Japanese have a love of flamenco. There seem to be a lot of themed bars in the area, but this one seems more rooted than most.
A nice write up from five years ago. Nana bar, Golden Gai
Lee says
Very interesting. Cheers, that’s a really nice find. What a fascinating little place eh?
LAObserver says
Aside from the other commenters, she does have a sweet smile looking into your lens Lee.
Lee says
She does. Being in front of the camera was certainly something she was comfortable with. Not nervous or awkward at all.