by ELISA LEONELLI (c) 1986
Tokyo has become in the last few years a fashion capital on par with New York and Paris. The innovative asymmetrical lines of the Japanese designs have brought a breath of fresh air in the fashion world.
The importance of designer's fashion is felt at all levels of Japanese society, and many young people aspire to a career in this field. Most of the teenagers are into trendy clothes, as is apparent when you see them walking through Tokyo's youth towns: Haraiuku and Shibuya.
Throughout Southeast Asia, Japan is fast replacing the West as the number one trendsetter on matters of teenage style and taste. In Bangkok, Hong Kong, Singapore and Seul the young people imitate the Tokyo teenagers.
For a few years now groups of teenagers called the Bamboo Shoot Kids have congregated in the Harajuku area next to Yoyogi Park on Sunday afternoons. They wear colorful satin clothes and baggy pants, which take their name from the boutique Takenoko, and perform original dances at the sound of ghetto blasters in the middle of the street. This fad is on the downturn now, but the habit of going out on Sunday to this street festival still persist and you find there avant-guard theatre companies, Kudo drummers, rollerskaters and all kinds of groups performing.
The carefree attitude of the young Japanese corresponds to a new outlook on life of the so called "no hunger" generation. Born in the 60s they have not experienced the hardships of rebuilding the country after the destruction of World War II. They tend to reject the rigid work ethic of their parents and feel a need for individual personal expression. They also enjoy unprecedented wealth, these "spoiled children'' or "pampered brats", as they are called, have their own room and money to spend on clothes and entertainment.
There is a short period in which a Japanese's life can be so carefree, after the heavy duties of high school and the "examination hell" of college admission, a teenager can relax and enjoy an active social life before the coming of age ceremony: Seijin-no. This year 1.7 million Japanese came of age, that is turned 20. After that they become Shakaijin, members of society, and are expected to take on responsibilities: the men get a job and the women get married. In reality this period lasts a little longer into their early twenties, since the average marrying age is 24 for women and 27 for men.
Since the early childhood years the Japanese children are pushed to achieve by their so called Kyoiku Mamas: education mothers. As rulers of the home the Japanese women are in charge of the children and while protecting them they push them hard through school and expect results. Another hardship of high-school life in recent years has been violence on the part of stronger kids against the weaker ones. The combination of these two pressures has caused a lot of teenage suicides. Once they reach college though, life becomes easier, so in their late teens and early twenties the Japanese can catch up on their social life. From a survey we learn that they enjoy chatting with their friends, listening to music, shopping, going to dance clubs, etc. Same as kids everywhere ... but unlike the regimented customs of a society where kids wear uniforms to school and adults in business suits work long hard hours at company jobs.
The Japanese society shows tolerance toward these youthful "aberrations", but by limiting freedom to a short period the menace of transformation is contained.
Probably the Japan created by the new generation will be a more colorful place, more open to individual expression, but the traditional political apathy weighs against significant reexamination of the nation's priorities.
