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April 17, 2006
Japanese manhood called into question
At least that's how I see it based on this article:
TOKYO (Reuters) - Makoto Ishitoko strutted, pirouetted and posed in a room surrounded by mirrors.
"My wife says it's not embarrassing any more to walk together," the 41-year-old office worker said proudly after taking a walking lesson with a group of other men and women."My life has turned around completely ... I have confidence in myself now."
Ishitoko is one of a growing number of Japanese men investing time and money to improve their appearance. For them, applying facial lotion and wearing nice clothes just aren't enough.
Many are trying things once the preserve of women.
Manicures, spa treatments and even underwear that enhances the body shape are gaining popularity.
"It's a new era, and Japanese men are pursuing a new kind of manliness," said Yumi Komura, representative director of Sparklers, the firm that offers the walking class as part of a workshop called Total Men's Revolution.
Yeah. Homosexual "manliness"
Then this:
"Improving appearance is the easiest way to create a unique, better self," he said. "Also, as women gained power, men became like a pet ... Men started wanting to have good enough appearance to attract women. Women don't like authoritative men any more."
Obviously we need to get some James Brown and Barry White CD's to Japan.
Finally:
In February Triumph International Japan launched a men's girdle to flatter hips.The product, aimed at fashion-conscious men in their 30s and 40s, has been flying off the shelf, a company spokeswoman said. [...]
More men are buying seamless and beige underwear, too, so that they look better in tight or white pants, she added.
*shaking head* WTF?!? Looks like the guys from Queer Eye have conquered Japan. Don't seem to remember anything in the Bushido code about how your ass looks in tight pants. But I'm sure they'll look just dandy when the Chinese decide they want to pick up some Tokyo real-estate cheap.
Posted by Razor at April 17, 2006 01:02 PM
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Comments
Anyone know the word "Brokeback" in Japanese?
Posted by: Mad Pigeon at April 19, 2006 09:51 AM
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