Popular Cartoon Series Makes Japanese Shrine a Magnet for Fans

Wall Street Journal ^ | Jul 30,2008 | Hiroko Tabuchi

[Harley]

Devotees Are Mainly Young Men, Who Dress Like the Characters -- in Miniskirts By HIROKO TABUCHI July 30, 2008; Page A1 WASHIMIYA, Japan -- For many years, Washinomiya Shrine has been a quiet place of worship, attracting just a trickle of sightseers to this sleepy town outside Tokyo. Then last summer, priests started noticing a new kind of visitor.

Young men, some clad in miniskirts, stockings and pastel-colored wigs, were lining up for photos at the shrine's vermilion gate. Over the big New Year's holiday in January, nearly 300,000 such visitors -- almost 10 times the town's population -- showed up, scores of them clad in outfits resembling schoolgirl uniforms. Continue

[Harley]

There must be something in America like this, but I don't know what it is? Halloween?

[dynachrome]

“Young men, some clad in miniskirts, stockings and pastel-colored wigs”

We need photos!

signed, michael jackson

[max americana]

As a fan of Japanese anime AND fansubs, I can actually state that “Lucky Star” blows chunks.

Now if you like hot chicks in micro minis and dressed up like high school uniforms, beating each other up, then Ikkitousen’ is the way to go.

[Harley]

They’re available in the on-line article. Click ‘continue’

[MeanWestTexan]

[fishtank]

http://s.wsj.net/public/resources/images/P1-AM408_Janime_20080729193707.jpg

Hey Tamar,
Look at what those crazy Japanese are up to......

.....I bet the Japanese WW2 grandfathers are hurling to see what their offspring are doing......

[TheRealDBear]

Japan...producing 86% of the world’s wierd stuff since 1954.

[knews_hound]

These dudes have "issues" me thinks....



Color me stuned.

Cheers,

knewshound

http://www.knewshound.blogspot.com/

[aft_lizard]

Burning Man would be a good starting point I think.

[dynachrome]

“Pics”

Ugh.

[Grut]

There must be something in America like this, but I don't know what it is? Halloween?

Rocky Horror Picture Show, I think.

[JenB]

Lucky Star is a really lame show. Aimed at lonely 20something guys who would really like geeky girlfriends.

[stylecouncilor]

ping

[B-Chan]

Lucky Star is an entertaining show, but I'd never dress up like a character from it.

If you think these guys are extreme, you should see the Haruhi and Death Note fans.

I prefer Azumanga Daioh myself...

[B-Chan]

Is that Michael Stipe in the glasses?