The girls keep getting younger every year: AKB48’s “Coming of Age Day” 2020

That is a lot of beauty.

AKB48 and their Japanese sister groups had their “Coming of Age Day” for 2020 on January 13^th.

I know that the Record Insustry Weasels will not allow these videos to stay up on YT for very long, so I will snag some quick screen shots!

Those members who participated – and will be turning 20 this year are as follows:

From AKB48: Ichikawa Manami, Okada Rina, Otake Hitomi, Omori Maho, Tada Kyoka, Kamachi Yukina, Harumoto Yuki, and Yoshihashi Yuzuka.

From SKE48: Nakamura Izumi, Matsumoto Chikako, Ego Yuna, Kitano Ruka, Takeuchi Saki, Sugawara Maya, Nishi Marina, Hirata Shiina, Fukushi Nao, and Iriuchijima Sayaka.

From NMB48: Nishizawa Rurina, Akashi Natsuko, Kojima Karin, Sakamoto Nami, Sato Ami, Shoubu Marin, and Mizobuchi Maria.

From HKT48: Ueno Haruka, Tashima Meru, Toyonaga Aki, Fukagawa Maiko, Tsukiashi Amane, Matsuoka Hana, Murakawa Bibian, Yamauchi Yuna, and Nagano Miyabi.

From NGT48: Homma Hinata, Yamada Noe, and Mashimo Kaho.

From STU48: Imamura Mitsuki, Oki Yuka, Taniguchi Mahina, Nakamura Mai, Yano Honoka.

I am still a fan, but I have to admit, I really do not know most of the girls in the AKB Family anymore. I recognize some of the faces from the music videos, but it seems I would need to start over again, and learn who is who. It is a lot more difficult in 2020, than in 2012. Where are the AKB Trading Cards? AKBingo is now off the air. I can’t learn the girls personalities if I cannot watch the skits anymore. Also the AKB Cafe is closing. One graduation after another .. Huh. It makes me wonder if Mr. Akimoto-san is planning to disband the groups during some type of announcement at the 2020 Olympics. … er … but I digress …

Starlight: Hopefully some better photographs will be up on social media by now. Most of the girls have Instagram and Twitter accounts, so a lot of cute images should be posted there.

 

MY SWEETIE IS NOW OFFICIALLY AN ADULT!

Wait … that did NOT come out right …

Yuka Ogino Seijin Shiki 2019

Ahem … what I mean to say is that my new AKB48 Family oshi has had her “Japan Coming of Age Day”. OgiYuka will turn twenty (cough, don’t look at me that way), this year!

Look it up! Japan’s “Coming of Age Day” – Seijin no Hi 成人の日 is the Japanese traditional holiday held in order to congratulate and encourage young adults who have reached, or will reach the “age of majority” between April 2 of last year, and April 1 of this year. Yuka’s 20^th birthday will be on February 16.

I am going to try and snag some more AKB Family kimono photos as more are available on the Interwebs. Hopefully, I will be able to post more by next week.

Tell it like it is sweetie …

Starlight: Seijin Shiki 2019.  

The moment might be a little tained however. I know that there are some bad rumors around now. What with the assault on Maho Yamaguchi and the NGT management firings. I hope that Yuka-chan, was not involved in any way. Yuka and Maho have had a little tiff. I don’t know what is going on. I hope the truth comes out in the next few days.

http://neotokyo2099.com/2019/01/14/ngt48s-ogino-yuka-tweets-apology-to-fans/

 

Kimonos on Someday: Hanako Oku’s O-mikuji is read at her Hatsumode

It is a lovely kimono – and what a lovely smile!

This photo was posted on the official Oku Hanako website on January 7:

https://ameblo.jp/kokoroletter/entry-12342670278.html?frm_src=thumb_module

Ms. Oku-san is at a Shinto shrine, her first visit to a shrine this year.

The Japanese term “Hatsumōde” refers to a person’s first shrine visit of the New Year. Typically, it refers to a visit to a Shinto shrine, however a visit to a Buddhist temple is sometimes done. The translated page indicates that she admitted she has not visited a shrine in a long time. She also says it has been a long time since she wore a kimono! Oku-in-kimono photos are almost impossible to find.

She is doing that smirk, because that scroll she is reading is her O-mikuji.

An “O-mikuji” is a rolled or folded preprinted fortune which is purchased by making a small offering at the shrine.

I cannot tell from her post what the fortune reads, but she seems a bit amused — and maybe more than a bit skeptical about the prediction.

Perhaps the fortune predicts “at long last an unrequited love will be fulfilled”!

That would be great … but then she would be out of a job … Ha Ha … Oh.

Starlight: Missed this by only a month!

A song? Oh, OF COURSE you get a song!

 

Kimonos on Monday — My daughter Sakura is finally an ADULT!

Kimonos on Monday — Sakura-tan is an ADULT!

My lovely daughter* Sakura Miyawaki has had her “Coming of Age Day” on January 8, 2018. (Japan is 12 hours ahead of my time zone.) This means that the mega-talented and incredibly adorable twenty-year old is accepting the responsibilities of being an adult.

The Shinto ceremony was held at Kanda shrine in Tokyo.

According to the AKB Daily website (article linked here), a total of forty members of the AKB48 family participated in this year’s event. This is the largest number of participants in the group’s history.

This large number of participants is not surprising, as there has been a significant amount of expansion of the AKB Family in recent years.

Sakura with the other HKT48 members who have turned twenty this year.  Oh I can remember when this group was only knee high to a June bug.

I will try to post more COA day photos/links from the AKB groups as they become available. Also, you can see more of the lovely Miss Miyawaki on her Twitter page linked here.

Look at those sleeves — at first I thought Sakura’s kimono was a tie-dye.

My friends over at 48 Talk also mention the event in their podcast yesterday. I highly recommend their video blog for AKB fans!

*Starlight:  You probably figured out that Sakura-tan is NOT REALLY my daughter …

Kimonos on Someday … Haruka Kodama on her “Coming of Age Day” January 9, 2017.

Oh … she turned 20 this past year. Will Harrupi just keep getting more and more beautiful every year?

It was “Coming of Age Day” in Japan on  Monday, January 9th. Several members of the AKB48 family were in attendance at Kanda Myojin shrine. I would like to share photos of all of them, but have been too busy to make blog posts. I thought I would at least share a few photos of one of my favorite HKT48 members — Haruka Kodama. “Harrupi” looks happy, and she STUNS as per usual in her blue and floral pattern furisode. The hairpins were homemade by the delicious young idol herself.

Holy Happy Homemade Hawkstown Harrupi Hairpins!!!

I am still in the process of collecting images from Google, Tumblr, and various websites which have covered the event. Several other of my favorites also were at the event. I will need to find photos of the glorious face of Nao Furuhata, the intimidating Jurina Matsui (who colored her famous jet-black hair for the event!), and that peppy little Ririka Sotou … just to name a few.

“… same to you buddy!”

Of course I could not be there to give a shout to my favorite young idols.  The day was cold wet and nasty …

… kind of like what it is like at my employer’s … but I digress. I will try to find and post some more photos and photographer’s photo links of the big day — as long as I don’t get hit with a frying pan.

You know how “arty farty” professional photographers can get …

This link from Tokyo Girls Update should hold you for awhile.

Starlight: Happy Harrupi Hawkstown Haruka was born on September 19, 1996. Oddly, the same day I bought these stretch pants I am now wearing…

If you want to see more of Kodama-san, please view my Pinterest page for her linked here.

KIMONOS ON MONDAY: The Kimono styles from Furifu

How about a stop at the Furifu store, my lady?

This charming chain shop features a modern take on kimono and kimono accessories. It features clever patterns, textiles, and many interesting Japanese-Western hybrids. The shop features alternative-modern clothing designs, various hair accessories, bags and hosiery. It’s traditional, it’s retro, it’s quirky, it’s serious. You always look beautiful, but consider these. There is that party coming up right?

Furifu is known for its “Neo-Taisho” aesthetic of bright-cum-vintage colors and cutting-edge patterns. This is a style that’s proved particularly popular among fashionable young ladies with an appreciation for the past. You don’t have to be an otaku, you don’t have to be a kimono purist. Just dive in, and try something fun.

For more information on this and other fun Japanese fashion ideas please see the Furifu website linked here.

http://furifu.com/

Starlight: Can’t … break … the pulsar’s … gravity … must … 

Pokémon Nicknames: ALOLA forms of Vulpix and Ninetales

ALOLA COUSIN!

I need to update my original “Pokémon Nicknames” post  for Vulpix and Ninetales, as there is now a special Alola form of Vulpix and Ninetales. My original Vulpix/Ninetales post is linked here.

https://dennysinnoh.wordpress.com/2015/03/15/pokemon-nicknames-vulpix-and-ninetales/

The Alola form of Vulpix is an ICE-type. It evolves into Ninetales by using the ice stone.

Credit goes to the original artist.

The Alola form of Vulpix/Ninetales is only caught in Pokémon Sun, but these two Pokémon are readily available through trading on the GTS or with a friend. (Pokémon Moon has Alola ice-type Sandshrew and Sandslash, which also evolves with an ice stone.  It would be jolly good form for you to trade your extra ice-Sandshrew for an ice-Vulpix, or vice versa).

Now that Vulpix is ICE rather than FIRE, I need to suggest nicknames other than names for fire-hot redheads like “Lucy”. I am thinking that instead of a redhead, Vulpix is now a platinum blonde.

I might suggest naming female Vulpix “Gwen” or “Stacy” after Gwen Stacy the tragic girlfriend of Peter Parker in the Spiderman comic books.

I might name one Gwen after singer Gwen Steffani (another platinum blonde), but I have not listened to her music since the 1990s. Other famous, sexy, platinum blonde names could also be used. For example: “Harlow” after legendary actress Jean Harlow.

You may name one “Marilyn” after Marylin Monroe, probably the quintessential platinum blond bombshell. Um … wait … did I say SEXY platinum blondes?  Huh huh … er … yes, well Vulpix and Ninetales females are very beautiful.

She may be a “bottle blonde” but she is also a “beautiful bombshell”! I can’t wait to hear her Nine Tales!

If you want sexy, just don’t name one after Madonna. Why not name your ice-blond “Blondie” after the comic strip, or the early new wave band from New York?

Male Vulpix …. hmmmm … maybe something like “Warhol” after crazy-white-hair-artist Andy Warhol.

Crazy fucking mental-case. See, I am good at NAMING!

I think “Ice Nine” would be a good name for male Ninetales. The term is from the famous Kurt Vonnegut novel “Cat’s Cradle”. The “ice-9” form of water caused the end of the world, but you can read all about it when you go to college. Try  “Snow Job” which is slang for lying, especially if the ice-fairy fox knows moves like “Blizzard”. .  “Shaved Ice” might work, but only because my mind wandered. How about a Spanish name like “Helados“  or “Terra Fría“?

I will end with some nice Vulpix cosplay. Thank you to Tumblr user Vykril Cosplay for her Vulpix kimono cosplay. It looks beautiful!

What is the name for your icy fairy fox? Please comment!

Kimonos on Monday: Anna Iriyama

Image

Ahem … Anna’s hand is down there.

Far be it for me to tell WordPress readers how to view an article. However, to get my photo gallery here, please play this song on YouTube. It will open in another window, so you can view the photos while you listen. “Anna” covered by Los Beetles de Mexicano  LINKED HERE.

Anna Iriyama has been a member of AKB48 since 2010. She is one of the more popular members, despite getting few lead singing roles.  Unfortunately Anna was one of the victims of the infamous 2014 attack at the AKB48 handshake event, and will probably always be linked to the issue. Her injured hand appears to have healed well.

No, I promise to never leave you “home Alone” Anna!

She is a beauty of course.

Anna Iriyama had this nice photo shoot where she appeared barefoot in yukata.

In case you were wondering what was under Anna’s kimono.

Starlight: Anna Iriyama 入山 杏奈 (Iriyama Anna), was born December 3, 1995 in Chiba, Japan.

 

Kimono on Monday: His and Her Pikachu plush

Pika Pika!! Pikachu in kimono!

You can purchase these 8 inch plush dolls  at the  PokEmon Center shop linked here. I don’t work for the company — I just think that  they are cute.

http://www.pokemoncenter.com/collections-s0107-0000-0000/pikachu-celebrations/paired-pikachu-celebrations%3A-new-year-kimono-pikachu-%28standard%29—8-701-00205

Click any image to see the full size details. I would not mind having a life size copy of the “men’s kimono” with that PokEball symbol!

Too bad that these are only available in eight-inch size … even though that is “standard” on the size chart.

Starlight: “New Year’s”?

Kimono on Monday: Iwasa Misaki at the Japan Expo in Paris.

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Kimonos on Monday: Iwasa Misaki at the Japan Expo in Paris.

I sure wish I could have been at the Japan Expo in Paris this past week. Iwasa Misaki was there to sing some of her Enka (style) songs. I think that she dazzles in this red with floral pattern kimono. Also, check out this great yukata in dark purple with pink flowers:

You can see more of her kimono, and her accessories on her official Instagram page linked here.

https://www.instagram.com/wasaminnn/

Wanna play some Wasa-games?

View this post on Instagram

#japanexpo2016 #モンハン #レイコレクション #ゆかた #yukata

A post shared by 岩佐美咲 (@wasaminnn) on Jul 10, 2016 at 6:35am PDT

Ha! All those people walking right past her. I wonder if anyone knew who she was?

I sure would not bother her though. Plus, she was available for autographs and photos later. Dang it. This may be the only time that I wish that I were in France.

Starlight: “Oh, Muarice … you make me so mad.”

          — Could you give me something like that kid?