Thursday, November 29, 2007

Kogal. Ganguro, Yamanba

For those who haven't seen this strange fashion phenomenon, that had it's peak around 2000, but still exists today.. here you go. I thought I'd make mention of this topic to continue on the theme of one culture appropriating a style or look from another (in this case, taking it to extreme lengths). In this case, it's Japanese youth going against the traditional or societal norm of what is considered beautiful with Japanese woman.

Given the previous post below, I think it's interesting to explore some of the lengths that individuals will go to make themselves "look better", whether with plastic surgery or with other body modifications.

Kogal - derived from kogyaru: "small/child girl"



Ganguro - disputed translation: "blackface" or "exceptionally dark"



Yamanba - rough translation: "mountain hag" or "mountain witch"



A short little feature on all three categories.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iyK66UHcrY4

-Ed K

5 comments:

SOSC 200a said...

I dont quite understand this?? These girls ethnicity is one of the most beautiful things. What makes a girl decide to change themselves into something like this?? Is this a part of the Barbie phenomenon??

-marnie leah

SOSC 200a said...

The pictures of these girls seem extreme but has highlighted another issue, have we starting to loose all sense of culture, traditions and being proud of our ethnicity.
Are they trying to look like the ideal women from the media or have they become ashamed of who they are.

Ouchi

Anonymous said...

I read before that dressing up this way, wearing the dark makeup and highlights is intended to duplicate the look of a California girl. This is actually an older trend now... the newer trend involves a bit more of a natural look (even tan, natural makeup), but I still think the whole thing unattractive. Especially Mambas... that's way too extreme. I think this trend is popular because it makes them feel more western...

Dona

SOSC 200a said...

i was in thailand with my girlfriend a few years ago and we went on a little spa adventure day, well they tried to scrub our tans off with exfoliant because they said that white skin was beautiful, but we said we wanted dark skin... beacuse it was beautiful.

marta gorski

SOSC 200a said...

I think this was/is a trend because if it is unfamiliar, it's more attractive. Western society does it as well, we tan in the summer to have darker skin. It seems strange to us because the dark skin and hair is something that we don't have, this is why people dye their hair, to get something that is not what they already are.
Sydne S.