If there is one phrase I would use to continually describe Japan, and its not "militant traditionalism" or "singing, brightly colored robot" it's bizarre absurdity.
And nothing is more bizarre than the advertisements and signage.
Engrish aside, the ads are the most misleading compositions or psychedelic mashups I've ever come upon. So much so, it's usually hard to tell what they're even advertising. (Yes, I immediately think of men in silver suits and human transmogrification when I say hair gel. It's a natural thought progression.)
Most of the time it leaves me figuratively scratching my head in confusion.
So because I want to inflict my own confusion upon the unfortunate readers of this blog, I'm creating a new series:
What the Hell is Happening in this Ad?
Our first piece today is a prime example. What's going on in this picture?
I have no idea. I can only read the "ka" in that sign, but there is clearly a hell of a backstory here.
I may not have the foggiest, but I will tell you what I love.
-The punk demon vampires that are clearly being easily driven out by the angry villagers (aka kids, a few housewives, and the odd salaryman)
-That said villagers use the power of well-placed signage to vanquish evil forces.
-Despite how "badass" the demons are, they have tattoos of sakura blossoms. (Plus, they're running screaming from children.)
-What's with the fenced in trees?
-The leader of this people's revolution appears to be a ramen chef.
Ignoring the piss-poor quality of my picture, I know what your thinking. Kate, you cold-hearted monster, this is clearly a children's drawing. How dare you poke fun?
To which I counter, I bet you ten dollars a full-grown Japanese adult drew this. It's just how they roll in Nippon.
The real question is, what do you think it is?
In other news, they played WPLJ 95.5 at the school I worked at this week. It was really disconcerting to hear ads for things in the tri-state area in the middle of Nagoya, Japan. It was surreal, like I was back in high school. Driving around in my old white Oldsmobile, flipping through the stations.
If only they played better music.
Kate, Kate, Kate!
ReplyDeleteFirst of all let me say, I quite enjoy your musings, even though this is my first comment here.
You're right on the money when it comes to this one though.
The banner says 暴力団追放 (Bouryokudan tsuihou), which is to say, Let's banish, exile street gangs (or gangs in general, not quite sure).
I can see bizarre, but absurdity? I think this would send the French absurdists rolling in their graves!