Storming — Ha. I bet you thought that I was another American “fake news” writer! No, I don’t allow such things here. Actually, I do want to share these photos from those SKE48 members in the “sturm generation”. (Yes, that is how they wrote it in this reference.)
The poor 20-year olds had to celebrate their Seijin no Hi (coming of age day) 2021 separately from the main AKB48 family due to the COVID Crisis. Masking up, distancing during the ceremony, etc. SKE was up first on January 8.
The SKE48 “now adult” members are Takeuchi Nanami, Ikeda Kaede, Tanabe Mizuki, Ota Ayaka, Aoumi Hinano, Kitagawa Yoshino, Nakano Airi and Nishii Mio. Enjoy, this slide show (click for larger).
The nine turning-twenty HKT48 members are Ichimura Airi, Jitoue Nene, Matsumoto Hinata, Miyazaki Sono, Kuriyama Rina, Sakamoto Erena, Akiyoshi Yuka, Aramaki Misaki and Seki Ai.
Starlight: Do you remember that time that I fell off of the top of Kushida Shrine? (Remember Denny saying “Doh” as he fell and hit each one of the bridge and road turns.)
I will try to snag some more kimono photos when the other AKB sister groups have their ceremonies! You may want to visit www.akb48.at for more Idol information, they seem to be an honest source. Thanks to them for these photos!
Yesterday I posted suggested nicknames for Grookey. Today I wll pick up with my “Pokémon Nicknames: Sword and Shield starters” series with the fire-type starter — Scorbunny.
No doubt – Scorbunny will be my starter Pokémon! A bunny rabbit that runs so fast that it scorches the ground. He appears to wear a “nose strip”, perhaps to gain more oxygen while running? Looks like there is another pad on the foot however.
Ready Rarebit?
My gut reaction is to call him “Welsh”, or “Welsh D Red” or “WelshRarebit”, perhaps just “Rarebit”. The “Welsh” part goes with the British Isles theme of Pokémon S/S. Welsh is the language of Wales in Britain, and “Welsh Rabbit” (Welsh Rarebit) is a psychedelic, dream-inducing food.
“Trixie” would be great name for a female Scorbunny. This is in honor of the old “Silly rabbit, Trix are for kids” cereal commercial.
Also, Trixie (alternative spelling “Trixi” or “Trixy“) is a great stripper’s name (especially if she is a firey redhead. See a list of films the redheaded bunny starred in linked here … and yes, I see that I have digressed once again.
“RunRabbitRun” after the Pink Floyd lyric (time 3:14) if you click here.
“Lagomorpha” would be good for females, and it should still fit whatever the evolved form of Scorbunny looks like.
“Jumping Jack” or “Jumpin’ Jack” as in the Rolling Stones song. Maybe just “Jack Flash” as it is assumed that rabbits will jump … and Flash as in a flash of fire.
“Flambé” is another cooking related name, and “Frier Tuck” might be another British literature tye Robin Hood reference! I thought maybe “Flaming Moe” after that episode of The Simpsons.
“Fricassee” would work for male or female I think. Here is a recipe.
Hold on to your welsh wabbit until tomorrow, and we will consider nicknames for the water-type starter Sobble …
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.
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 …
“Forget blogging.” That is what I tell myself. I am in so much trouble at work for being such a deadwood employee, that I feel guilty even posting a few photos. I had been wanting to write a review of Iwasa Misaki’s first solo concert DVD last year, but never could. Then she released another solo concert earlier this year. Both are great concerts. There is this inner scream inside me that just wants to tell someone about them …
If I cannot write about them, perhaps some of my readers would be interested in coming over to my house, and we can watch them together. Then I can tell you all about them. I will have some cupcakes we can share, while I give my commentary … We can make an afternoon out of it!
Failing that, I can at least share some of the photo cards and insert pamphlet art which came with the DVDs. Of course, Misaki-san wears beautiful kimonos through most of it.
Next time, I would like to write about my Iwasa Misaki CDs. Each CD came with a unique photo card included … and … oh.
(Denny sighs).
Starlight: If only I could write “Akihabara Starlight” for a living …
Thanks for the photo, girls. Please make it out to “Uncle Denny” and write: “Thank you for all your kind advice and aged wisdom!”
A teenage girl can do a lot of growing up in 1000 days. They can make the journey from awkward teen to sophisticated young woman. About three years ago (a thousand days ago?), I discovered the Japanese Idol group Tsuri Bit. The name loosely translates as “fishing lure”. No, not “bait” mind you! (Denny looks at reader sternly.) The first music video of theirs I watched was “Odoroyo Fish” (踊ろよ、フィッシュ “Odoroyo Fisshu” or “Let’s Dance Fish” ) This fun songwas a hit for Japanese singer Tatsurō Yamashitain 1987. The Tsuri Bit girls update it – and “idol” it up. They capture the spirit of the song. They retain the original’s warmth, charm and FUN! They make it their own. Lyrics are linked here. Please SING with me!
I always wanted to be an Ichthyologist!
This might be one of the the cutest Idol videos I have ever seen — certainly the girls could not be any cuter. I used to play this one on my iphone in the grocery store. You should have seen me there in Produce, through the Dairy and Seafood isles — headphones on — movin’ and grovin’.. Imagine me spinning my cart around almost like I was dancing with it! I was trying to just hum quietly to myself, but I probably let out a few audible sounds … Odoroyo FISH! … O-do-ro-yo BAY-BEE … Ha. The other shoppers would think I was crazy if anyone would notice. The song starts about 59 seconds into this YT linked video from 2014. Enjoy in 1080 HD.
From there you can find links to many of their videos. KISSPOINT Records has recovered from that “Ban in America” thing. Here is an idol group you can enjoy. Tsuri Bit’s shtick is that they are the “Fishing Idols”. They have made several songs and videos about going fishing. In fact, Tsuri Bit has meet-and-greet events with fans that are FISHING TRIPS! If AKB48 are “the idols you can meet” then Tsuri Bit are “the idols you can go fishing with“!
“Scales of Clouds and Orion”
I can relate a lot to this next music video, even though I was not liking the actual song all that much at first. Sometimes with music videos I like the song but not the video, or vice versa. The Tsuri Bit girls must have been thinking about me in this next video from 2015. This early 2015 MV is about a sad “Salaryman” who is stuck in a dead-end job that he hates — just like me! He is berated by bosses — just like me! He is not respected by coworkers or clients — just like me!. He is behind on the technology and frustrated, he’s slow and fat and … just … like … uh … heh … heh ….. oh. (Denny slumps) Dang, this guy even LOOKS like me.
He might have to work for A-holes, but Tsuri Bit believe in him.
The good news that the Tsuri Bit girls are there wearing cute cheerleader outfits. (I wonder though if they are there only in his imagination.) The girls remind him of all things that are good in this world. The things worth fighting for! They cheer him up, he gets motivated, goes back to his job, applies that fat ass to work … and he succeeds! All it took was the cuteness and encouragement of his favorite idols. Tsuri Bit are so wholesome and good, it is like they have magical girl powers. The song itself? Well, it had to grow on me — but look how much the girls have grown.
This next one is my FAVORITE Tsuri Bit music video. I LOVE this power-pop song. Here they are in late 2015, perfecting their idol moves on the beach.
Several months later, the girls are on a beach vacation again. This next MV reminds me of the Beatles’ movie “Help” where the fab four all live together in the same house. There is an amusing part near the start of this video where the girls are sorting through their beachwear. They are trying to gauge which swimsuit top belongs to whom. Since the last video, it looks like Mizuki (the 19 year old) grew some BOOBIES! Somebody needs a bigger suit. The sweet little fish-scientists have a lot of fun singing, dancing and just idol-ing on the beach.
I know what you are thinking: “Denny, you are a dirty old man.”
To that I say “OH YEAH … well is that YOUR NOSE, or are you eating a TOMATO?” Then I would start throwing punches. Uh .. Ok … er .. maybe I should take the high road and try to explain. The Japanese Idol culture/subculture is a very difficult concept for outsiders to grock.
Idol culture offends many (stupid, American) women because Japanese Idols start out so young — and that their audience includes many middle-aged businessmen. Despite what the hags think, the middle aged fans are NOT perverts. Look, an idol show is pure entertainment. Just like that Salaryman in the video above — Japanese men have to work many long hours for relatively pay. Being a fan, and/or going to an idol show is pure escapism. It is fun to support and cheer for your favorite idols.
That is how wotafeel about their Idols. When idoling is done correctly, it becomes pure happiness. Happiness which transcends age, ethnicity and gender. They remind us that there really can be something pure in this harsh universe … like at my work.
Older male fans are cheering the girls on, not lusting after them — Jesus. Look, if all someone wanted to do was “look at young girls” then there would be a lot of other ways to do that. Dirty old men, are not buying singing-and-dancing DVDs. Wota LOVE our idols because they bring HAPPINESS with their presence. There may be some perverts among the fans, but they are not the norm. Just like the pundits on the CHH news channel who are always saying that “not ALL Syrian refugees are psychotic terrorists and rapists.” Well … and … OK, maybe that’s not a very good example.
I once had an Internet feud with an anti-AKB hag. She said on her blog that wota are bad people. What was surprising was that she followed various homoerotic Korean boy-bands! So it is OK for a bitter, dried-up, middle-aged hag to follow boy idols, but a middle-aged man cannot follow idol groups? Talk about your hag privilege.
Next video — here the girls are in Shibuya — growing up, and heading out on their own. They look very sophisticated and mature in the outfits they wear here. The music is upbeat, jazzy and sophisticated. Their concerns are that of an adult, but they can still go for a good ice cream sundae.
(Denny’s reverie:) So … it looks like my girls grew up and turned out all right. Soon they will be off to college and living on their own. I will worry about them, but I really shouldn’t worry about them. They are fine young women now. Pure of heart and of high moral character. If aliens visited Earth and asked me to show them the best part of humanity, I would lead then to that karaoke party with Tsuri Bit. Pretty idols and ice cream.
If you want to learn more about this idol group, the official Tsuri Bit website (in Japanese) is linked here. A great fan site IN ENGLISH is linked here. The site has a lot of useful statistical information about the girls — including which species of fish they would most want to catch.
Mizuki Hasegawa “Miichan” 02/13/1998
Sakura Ando “Sakuchin” 03/23/2001
Ayu Konishi “Ayutan” 04/30/2001
Natsuki Takeuchi “Natchan” 08/20/2000
Aya Kikima “ChanAya” 11/19/2000
Starlight: A thousand days of happy. Traveling at the speed of light, Tsuri Bit’s earliest broadcasts should now be nearing the Centauri system.
Imagine the alien boys living on a planetoid which orbits Beta Centauri. They are monitoring signals from space … and then receive this devastating cuteness:
Here is how I imagine the conversation.
Alien Boy 1: “Beezit — wabba wabba zoop beena beena!”
It seems light years since I made a post to my “Kimonos on Monday” series. It has also been a long time since I posted anything about the lovely and talented Miss Iwasa Misaki. It’s been a long time since I rock-and-rolled. Ahem. Excuse me …
Unlike me, the ex-AKB48 Idol turned Enka-singer has kept busy performing concerts, releasing new singles, albums and concert Blu-Rays. Yes I own both concert disks!
Wasamin posts a lot of her glamorous kimono photos on her Instagram page (linked here) and her Twitter site (linked here). I thought that this photo was particularly interesting. Is it a kimono or a costume? Ms. Misaki contributed to a show at the Shin-Kabukiza Theater in Osaka last month. Even though Misaki-san usually wears a stunning kimono for her Enka-music concerts, I would have to classify this kimono as a “costume” for the show.
Wasamin is wearing a WIG in case you could not tell. I wonder if she would ever style her real hair in that traditional way for a special concert.
Wasamin next to a promotion for her latest record release.
“Say Hello to my little friend!”
(Denny’s Readers groan …)
I love both the traditional and popular culture of Japan. Despite that, I could never really get too interested in Kabuki. I’ve seen some Kabuki Theater on YT videos, but I have to admit, I can’t watch for very long. The art and costumes are great of course … but I can’t really understand it. I would certainly enjoy a show if it featured Wasamin though!
The official website for the Osaka’s Shin-Kabukiza Theater is linked here: https://www.osakastation.com/osaka-shin-kabukiza-theater/
Although I do not have video of Wasamin at the SK Theater, here are some recent TV performances: How long will YT leave then up?
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.
Starlight: It took over two months for this starlight to reach my world.
Usually I provide the starlight distance at the end of a post, but I feel very embarrassed that it has taken me so long to find the JKT48 in Kimonos Calendar for 2016. These would be great images for your desktop. They were created by a contest last year, where JKT fans got to vote for their favorite “Calendar Girl” (Denny starts humming Neil Sedaka‘s tune already). The 13 women who received the most votes got a month (plus one leap day).
I suggest listening to the song linked here (it will open in a new window, I copied his lyrics in the photo cations). Then just click on the image for the full, WALLPAPER SIZE! Set it as your background each month! The holidays noted on each month are for recognized days in Indonesia. All major religions are noted. I (HEART) you Indonesia, and your religious tolerance*.
Denny singing: Yeah, yeah, my heart’s in a whirl — I love, I love, I love my Monday kimono girls —
January! You start the year off fine!
February! You’re my little valentine!
March! I’m gonna march you down the aisle!
April! You’re the Easter Bunny when you smile!
May! May-be if I ask your dad and mom!
June! They’ll let me take you to the JUNE-ior Prom!
July! … Like a firecracker — all aglow!
August! When you’re on the beach, you steal the show!
September! Light the candles at your Sweet Sixteen!
October! We’re Romeo and Juliet on Halloween!!!
November! I’ll give THANKS that you belong to me
December! You’re the present ‘neath my Christmas tree!!!
Wait! There is one more. 2016 has an extra LEAP day — so why not AN EXTRA KIMONO …
Oh, you need a wallpaper sized for your MOBILE? No problem. Click on any of the thumbnails and save one for your mobile device.
I love, I love, I love my calendar girls — Yeah, sweet Jakarta kimono girls I love, I love, I love my Indonesian girls — Each and every day of the year!
———————————————————————————-
(Not Neil Sedaka. )
*Check out marvelous Melody’s month of May. Indonesia recognizes Christianity, Islam and Buddhism. (….and if you consider Marxism to be a “religion”, then even that!).
The national motto of Indonesia is “Unity in Diversity”. Indonesia is predominantly Muslim of course, but other religions are also represented and tolerated. Protestant denominations are from the Dutch colonial period, Roman Catholics dominate near Timor, Bali is Hindu, Buddhism and Chinese religions are common in most urban places.
February is a short month. It kind of creeps up on you, right?
Wallpaper size image for your desktop. Too bad the month is over.
At least I can celebrate Leap Year February 29th, with Miss Haruka Nakagawa of JKT48. The big news is that “Harugon” has just announced her graduation from JKT48 and the AKB organization. Other bloggers have also announced this on February 27th. (See announcement photos and video links there.)
I wish her well, she was always one of my favorites, and always made my “Top 16” lists. I loved her in the Watariroka Hashiritai unit, and she was a big reason why they were my favorite AKB subgroup. Remember the time in the WH “Gyu” music video (see Jpopsuki link here time 2:40), when she actually KISSED that fat, unsightly blob? What a sweet moment … and …
… IT GAVE HOPE TO ALL OF US HIGH SCHOOL BLOBS!!!
The story is that Harugon will remain in Indonesia after she graduates. Ahem, for those of you that are not big, fat fanboys like me — Haruka was originally sent to Indonesia to be a team leader when JKT48 was first created. She was the only full-Japanese member of the group. She had her work cut out for her, as she had to learn to sing all those Yasushi Akimoto songs translated into the Indonesian dialect. She was great in JKT48, and made a great “double team” with Melody Nurramdhani Laksani. (See my JKT48 Pinterest page linked here.) Of course she nailed it, and became one of their most popular members.
The above photo was from her “coming of age” event in 2015. She has an absolutely beautiful face. Harugon radiates warmth, intelligence and pure fun. I’m inspired each time I look at her. (Was that too much?)
It was not announced WHY she is not returning to Japan, but Indonesia is lucky to have her. Well, any country would be lucky to have her. I feel good just knowing that I WALK THE SAME EARTH as she! (… too much?)
Haruka Nakagawa, you are one of the good ones.
See more of Miss Harugon wearing amazingly pretty dresses on my Pinterest board for her linked here.
Likes: Pop Culture, Humor, Japanese Culture, Iwasa Misaki, Hanako Oku, AKB48 History, Kurosawa films, Kimonos, Anime, Lolita fashion, Buddhist philosophy, and finding the perfect nicknames for my Pokemon.
A fansite; for old and new fans of AKB48 and all their domestic and international sister groups: (SKE48, NMB48, HKT48, NGT48, STU48, JKT48, BNK48, MNL48, AKB48 Team SH, SGO48, AKB48 Team TP, and CGM48)
Denny Sinnoh 
I HEAR YOU!