Osaka Fruits! Wild Osaka Japanese Fashions!

A while back, I went to Osaka with my friend Ken Nishikawa to shoot a promotional video for the Japanese girls group, Shonen Knife. While there, we had some time to wander around and I saw some great sights. I love Osaka!

While I was there and wandering around I saw some kids and their fashions really turned my head! Wow! You have to check this out!

Here's several for your enjoyment! 

Enjoy!

I saw these two sweethearts at Shin Osaka station. The train going by the the background gives it a great feel.

Same platform, not 10 seconds later! Wow!

I saw these two guys getting on the elevator and just had to take their photo. Awesome look. Check out those contact lenses! Upstairs from this building was a shop that sold "Lolita Fashions." I went up there but they didn't have any Lolita Fashions in the XXX-Large size to fit me.

Later on, after sound-check, we were walking around by Dontonbori when we came upon a group of ten kids. I thought these three really looked great!

I saw these two going somewhere on Sunday morning. Actually, I saw many others too but everyone seemed in a rush so I didn't have the time to ask them for a pose. I will go to Osaka again soon and take more photos.

This cool photo of Naoko of Shonen Knife was taken by Kevin Riley

Shonen Knife (L-R: Emi (drums & vocals), Ritsuko (bass & vocals), Naoko (Guitar & vocals).  (Photo by Kevin Riley)

And here's the Shonen Knife video we made:

Thanks to Ken Nishikawa, Kevin Riley, Kuniatsu "Coonie" Suzuki, Ms. Yoshida, Shonen Knife members and Atsushi Shibata.

Cool & Strange Music: Japanese Animation "Mach Baron!"

Ken Nishikawa, always on the lookout for cool stuff, send this along to me. Ken writes,  "Cool theme tune from 70's Japanese TV robot programme called "Mach Baron"!" これは本物のRock & Roll!

Wikipedia says:

Super Robot Mach Baron (スーパーロボット マッハバロン Sūpā Robotto Mahha Baron) is a Japanese tokusatsu series that aired from October 7, 1974, to March 31, 1975. It was a sequel to Super Robot Red Baron.

Somewhere in Asia, the series was adapted into a 86 minute feature film which used footage from the original series. That movie was also released in Spain (under the title "Mazinger Z - El robot de las estrellas") and Germany ("Roboter der Sterne").

Thanks Ken! If Ken's name sounds familiar to some readers, it's because Ken and I often make music videos and documentaries together.

We just finished the newest promotional video for Shonen Knife, "Ghost Train":

One of Japan's Best Indies Band: Moja - Newest Video, "China"

I've mentioned before that I think Moja is one of Japan's best indies bands.
Moja are a drum and bass duo with a guy named Haruhiko and a goddess on drums named Masumi. 

Moja just returned from a European tour and played at SXSW last year. Here is an interview with Moja if you want to get to know them better.


My good friend Ken Nishikawa and I have made two videos for Moja so far.


Here is the most recent (just finished today). This is a promo video for a song entitled, "China."

And one we made about one year ago. This song is entitled, "Hello Hello." By the way, this video was given rave reviews in the UK , most notably from the drummer of the Libertines on a cool website called, 25 Hour Convenience Store.

Ken and I want to make more music videos so if you are interested, please let me know.


Visit Moja on Myspace here.


xx