2015 is the year of the sheep, an animal that is regularly referenced in relation to the Japanese character due to a perceived tendency to unquestioningly follow others. A sweeping generalisation that admittedly contains some truth, and yet at the same time is almost comically incorrect.
LAObserver says
There is no doubt you have touched on a deeper subject. The inner workings of the cosplay people is fertile ground for the psychoanalysts. In a high density country like Nippon, the need to find a ‘release’ takes it expression in many forms. Some not so subtle.
Lee says
Yeah, that’s a good call. A lot of release is through booze, so at least this is more creative. Not to mention less damaging. Hell of a lot braver too!
Hans ter Horst says
Lol, my wife hints that the femdom character might be a bloke 🙂
But you bring up an interesting part of Japanese society. I always feel that youngsters outside of school and women have a certain degree of freedom to stick out, but that this is not accepted of adults and men in particular who will immediately be branded as ‘Yankies.’ I had the feeling that the rebelling youth culture like that disappeared almost overnight after the 2011 TÅhoku earthquake and tsunami.
Lee says
It’s very much a bloke!
Yes, that’s very true. Once working life begins in particular, any rebelliousness seems to immediately disappear. The hair is dyed back to black, drab work attire is donned, and any ideas at all of going against the system are forgotten — forever.
Fortunately I do know a few people who haven’t buckled and lead their lives differently, but they are very much in the minority.