Cutism in Japan(^^)

ShadowSpirit · 25 Jan 2009

I've encountered a few shared explanations on this phenomenon. Though both of a fetish nature, it ties in closely to the overall psychology of most people that exhibit this behavior.

Paraphilic infantilism : a fetish involving the desire to regress into the mindset of a baby. Wearing diapers, being treated as a baby, reacting accordingly as a baby would to the surroundings. I saw an investigative program (source not remembered, sorry) that claims people who practice this fetish were lacking in affection at an early age. This is a shared analysis of the fetish itself and not necessarily any culture of people who engage in it.

I did see a BBC documentary (this time I remembered the source) that was discussing Japan's adult districts. One of the subjects that was mentioned is the popularity of the school girl image. The reasoning given was that many men feel awkward talking with an adult woman. Such a woman will likely be experienced, have developed strong opinions, harbor goals in life, expectations. Whereas a young girl likely is still innocent, uncertain of the world, eager to learn. For an insecure person, such a young girl is more approachable. The image that ties in with a young girl is that of the school uniform and the comforts of thought come with it. At least in the context of this topic, this is what it is symbolic of. If we were to assume that this documentary is accurate in its ascertation, then I don't see why it wouldn't apply to all things of a cute nature. Just the very ideology behind it and the encouragement to act as such.

gaijinalways · 25 Jan 2009

Cute is king in Japan, and like the words 'sugoi' and 'oishi' overused. Some of the things my university students find cute are actually ugly, IMO.

In some ways it is refreshing that people can relate to things as cute regardless of their ages, but in Japan there is a bit of a retrogressive tendancy to not want to grow up. This can be a good and a bad thing. Having a youthful outlook can be good and uplifting, remaining and behaving immature not. But how to define the difference?

As to wearing or using things because you think they are cute, to each his own. There are other ways to add color without resorting to looking 'cute'.

And, what happened to the OP? She got 'cuted' out!?

maushan3 · 25 Jan 2009

ShadowSpirit said:
I'm not sure why you're so bothered by it. Think of it more as cultural immersion. Granted, there is much more to Japan than anime and kawaii. Though at least people embrace and show appreciation for the things they do know about it, even if they don't take the time out to learn more on the topic. It's better than scorning a place for its entertainment. This reminds me of the Bleach anime series, how it implements a land of the dead and borrows it from Mexican traditions. Should this cause an uproar to say that there is more to Mexico than Los Muertos?

People watch what they like, and emulate that which entertains them. This sort of fad helps to promote Japanese culture. Makes it seem hip. Which is good for Japan in some instance, as it helps spread the interest in its people. Takes away from the whole outdated "kamikaze" and "seppuku" negative stereotypes. Besides, it isn't like Japanese people don't lavish fads from other countries or share misconceptions about outside groups of people.

It doesn't bother me in the way that I feel discomforted byt these and makes me angry. I think I expressed it wrongly, my mistake. What I meant is that they are in for a big surprise once they find out that Japan isn't that. And, I dunno, I find it annoying when people start asking me things like Anime when they hear I went to Japan.

Mauricio

ShadowSpirit · 25 Jan 2009

maushan3 said:
It doesn't bother me in the way that I feel discomforted byt these and makes me angry. I think I expressed it wrongly, my mistake. What I meant is that they are in for a big surprise once they find out that Japan isn't that. And, I dunno, I find it annoying when people start asking me things like Anime when they hear I went to Japan.
Mauricio

Fair enough. I applaud you for your sensitivity on the subject. I would much rather meet gentlemen like you whom serve to defend the diversity of another culture instead of people whom try to attack or distort it. For that, you have a great outlook on life that I wish all people could benefit from.

MadamePapillon · 30 Jan 2009

ASHIKAGA said:
"Cute is for children and puppies."
I hear that all the time. Why, I wonder. Is there a point in our lives where we somehow stop finding certain things desirable for their cuteness? What is it that attracts young children in cute things that is not attractive to adults?
I believe it all comes down to the society one lives in and its attitude toward cute.
Wouldn't you pick up that cuddly Hello Kitty plush in the store window of a toy shop if an adult finding comfort and joy in such things were considered normal? I would.
Unlike some other societies, Japanese society says, "It's OK to embrace cute. Cute is for everyone. Young and old, women and men. ".
Japanese people grow up in a place where there is no hang-ups about loving cute, where you don't have to out-grow cute.
I know I say that in a VERY broad stroke here, but I really think that's what it is.
You might say that some people simply do not like cute. They'd much prefer cool or sexy or whatever. I feel that there is a big difference between cute and cool/sexy. Cute touches something that's primal in a human being. What I mean is that what is considered sexy or cool is quite different in each society because they are learned. Like it or not, we are unknowingly influenced by the society in which we live and what it considers sexy/cool.
In a place where it is encouraged to leave behind the cute once you become aware of the wonderful and scary world of sex, it is hard for those two things to coexist albeit in some kinky fetishes. However, in Japan, where people don't have to abandon cute when they reach a certain age group, those two things can happily coexist, even merge as one with very little stigma imposed by the society at large.
Japanese society is often characterized as conservative, but in this regard, in a way, it could provide a very liberal environment for you to be who you are.

Ok, I have a theory on this. I could be completely wrong but hear me out.

Now it's not that the rest of the world does like cute but it's a generally accepted thing that in the western world, when you reach a certain age it's time to put away the dolls, stop wearing your hair in pigtails, dress/talk/act more mature. Why is this accepted in the western world where in Japan it's ok to be child-like into adulthood and cute reigns supreme?

Maybe it's because in the west children are allowed to be children for a longer time. In Japan at a fairly young age they are bogged down with stresses and responsibilities so in a way they don't really get to be carefree children.

When it's time to 'grow up' over here there's this feeling of finally having transitioned, you're no longer a child you're an adult and when you're an adult some things are just no longer appropriate, like wearing a ton of pink and talking in a childish voice or even acting naive. It's the idea that childishness (aka. Cute) should be left to children. If adults act childish it's kind of repulsive, especially if they have children of their own, because it's like they are infringing on a territory that should belong only to children. It's weird and creepy when adults act like that. In the west you have a time to be a child and a time to be an adult.

Now on the other hand, in Japan, children aren't nearly so carefree. They have pressures on them that most over here would never put on any child or teenager. As such it's like they lose out on a lot of the 'happy-go-lucky' years so when they finally do become adults they carry a lot of longing for a return to the innocent days of childhood because their lives are anything but carefree. So it's becomes socially acceptable for 'cute' to remain into adulthood. Maybe in a way surrounding themselves with innocent, bright, cute things is a way of coping with a lot of the stress that is surrounding them in their every day life.

Over here there may be stress but there is still a lot of chances for adults to unwind and in some ways be carefree themselves where in Japan (so I understand) there are very few opportunities to unwind and to 'let it all hang out'.

I'm not an expert on the Japanese life or mindset so I could be way off but I hope I got the general idea of what I way trying to say across.

maushan3 · 30 Jan 2009

MadamePapillon said:
Maybe it's because in the west children are allowed to be children for a longer time. In Japan at a fairly young age they are bogged down with stresses and responsibilities so in a way they don't really get to be carefree children.

I think you are right in a sense and not right in another. Japanese kids and teenagers are put so much pressure but at the same time they aren't given the responsibility to do things adults do, like hang out and go to parties. This is in which I think Japan is a little wrong. They're given so much responsibility yet they are thought of as children. Have a lot of pressure on them, ok, but at the same time let them have the freedom that belong to adults. I don't really understand this, they are thought of as adults in the sense of responsibility, so why not trust them take decisions on their own for a chance?

Over here there may be stress but there is still a lot of chances for adults to unwind and in some ways be carefree themselves where in Japan (so I understand) there are very few opportunities to unwind and to 'let it all hang out'.

Japanese adults are actually 'encouraged' to do things like get drunk until they pass out to let it all out.

Mauricio

Ashikaga · 30 Jan 2009

MadamePapillon said:
Maybe it's because in the west children are allowed to be children for a longer time. In Japan at a fairly young age they are bogged down with stresses and responsibilities so in a way they don't really get to be carefree children.
.......Now on the other hand, in Japan, children aren't nearly so carefree. They have pressures on them that most over here would never put on any child or teenager. As such it's like they lose out on a lot of the 'happy-go-lucky' years so when they finally do become adults they carry a lot of longing for a return to the innocent days of childhood because their lives are anything but carefree. So it's becomes socially acceptable for 'cute' to remain into adulthood. Maybe in a way surrounding themselves with innocent, bright, cute things is a way of coping with a lot of the stress that is surrounding them in their every day life.

Over here there may be stress but there is still a lot of chances for adults to unwind and in some ways be carefree themselves where in Japan (so I understand) there are very few opportunities to unwind and to 'let it all hang out'.

I think MadamePapillon makes a very good point here. It explains the Buzz Word "癒し（iyashi / Healing, Soothing, Nurturing) that you hear everywhere you go these days in Japan. I suppose CUTE belongs in that same category. Like Madame says, it could be that people are under a lot of stress and pressure they are looking for solace in cute things and such.

Mauricio is right when he says adults are encouraged to get drunk until they puke. However, it is often the case that it is something they feel they HAVE to do even if they don't want to when, again, pressured by your colleagues, bosses, business clients, etc. thus adding even more stress.

molestthyguitarists · 25 Feb 2009

im not sure how im going to think about this when i am an adult, but i'm 17, and i've been into the "cute" thing for a while now. i wear lolita clothes to school. i cosplay. i have cute stuff. but i dont overdo it. its a lifestyle but y'know, im not in Japan and i cant do that kind of stuff.
though i must say, a lot of the girls in my school are into the "cute" thing. mostly, theyre the cute tiny asian girls who date the VK lookalike boys and give girls like me inferiority complexes of all sorts. but some of them are like me... though i get annoyed when i see girls who overdo it, cuz its kinda weird looking on someone who's not asian. i guess i like it, but not too much. i would love it if it became more widespread...

incidentally did you know that there IS such a thing as a Hello Kitty vibrator??? no kidding.

Dogen Z · 1 Mar 2009

Ambassadors of Cute

In an apparent in-your-face gesture to anti-cute factions, the Japanese gov't has appointed official ambassadors of cute to promote this culture. You can read about it here: http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/news/20090228p2a00m0na019000c.html

Actually, you'll find that girls who dress up in these cute fashions are generally much more polite and refreshing than their jaded, cynical counterparts from the West.

Remixer · 1 Mar 2009

Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha

That article made me laugh so much, I almost fell off my chair.

Remixer

Dogen Z · 1 Mar 2009

I hope you didn't hurt yourself.

Remixer · 1 Mar 2009

Thankfully, I didn't.

Thanks for your (sarcastic?) worries.

Remixer

Dogen Z · 1 Mar 2009

Sarcasm, the refuge of the witless, is not my style.

I'm glad you're not hurt.

Remixer · 1 Mar 2009

Oooooh, Derfel will beat the crap out of you for that!

Remixer

MadamePapillon · 2 Mar 2009

Dogen Z said:
In an apparent in-your-face gesture to anti-cute factions, the Japanese gov't has appointed official ambassadors of cute to promote this culture. You can read about it here: http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/news/20090228p2a00m0na019000c.html

Sometimes there's just nothing you can do but shake your head and laugh.
I vote for the Germans to start sending ambassadors of beer, we Canadians will do our part and send forth ambassadors of all that is hockey (looking at you Luongo).
Scotland, we're looking to you to set the mood, bagpipes at the ready.
Brazil ... time to pull out the ambassadors of Marti Gras. Now let's get this party started!!!
Dress code: KAWAIIIII

p.s.

Not exactly sure why you felt the need to post this:

Actually, you'll find that girls who dress up in these cute fashions are generally much more polite and refreshing than their jaded, cynical counterparts from the West.

What does Japan sending ambassadors of cute have to do with western girls? Oh that`s right, nothing.

Remixer · 2 Mar 2009

MadamePapillon said:
Not exactly sure why you felt the need to post this:

What does Japan sending ambassadors of cute have to do with western girls? Oh that`s right, nothing.

I believe you have misunderstood Dogen Z. He probably meant the general Japanese girl that wears a cute outfit is much more polite and well-mannered than a girl from the West.

I agree with Dogen Z. There is not much to be said in favor of the behaviour displayed by Western girls.

"As long as it's fun and nobody gets hurt, there is no problem"

Would be nice if the word self-restraint would appear somewhere in there.

Remixer

molestthyguitarists · 3 Mar 2009

the weird thing is that i was not surprised by the "ambassadors of cute" thing at all. -_-"
although you are right. a lot of us are cynical b*tches.

MadamePapillon · 3 Mar 2009

I believe you have misunderstood Dogen Z. He probably meant the general Japanese girl that wears a cute outfit is much more polite and well-mannered than a girl from the West.

Yeah, I'm pretty sure that exactly what he meant. What I don't understand is why he said it at all as it had absolutely nothing to do with the topic at hand and is, frankly, insulting.

MadamePapillon · 15 Mar 2009

ASHIKAGA said:
"Cute is for children and puppies."
I hear that all the time. Why, I wonder. Is there a point in our lives where we somehow stop finding certain things desirable for their cuteness? What is it that attracts young children in cute things that is not attractive to adults?

.....

In a place where it is encouraged to leave behind the cute once you become aware of the wonderful and scary world of sex, it is hard for those two things to coexist albeit in some kinky fetishes. However, in Japan, where people don't have to abandon cute when they reach a certain age group, those two things can happily coexist, even merge as one with very little stigma imposed by the society at large.
Japanese society is often characterized as conservative, but in this regard, in a way, it could provide a very liberal environment for you to be who you are.

Ok, reviving this thread to point out something I came to notice (and because this forum has been dead lately).

Despite all claims to the contrary that our societies (western) are lands where cute is reviled and pink is the colour of the devil and so on (at least in comparison to Japan) I've noticed a that cute is well and alive.

Unlike Japan that applies cute to adults/teenager and things that, frankly, are just not at all cute we prefer the 'puppies, kitties and children' approach to cute. We love things that are naturally cute with no forced effort and the sort of comedic cuteness that only comes when something/someone is doing it in complete innocence.

I Can Has Cheezburger?
http://www.cuteoverload.com/

As evidence by the hugely massive popularity of sites like lolcats and the number of hits that clips of babys laughing gets on youtube. Cute and comedy go hand in hand.

I think this also goes a long way to explaining why so many people find Japans idea of cute either weird or even completely off putting. Cute to us is something that is completely spontaneous and natural and can be enjoyed by both men and women (I have actually seen several guys at work with lolcats as their wallpaper).

I think a lot of people that don't really understand Japans idea of cute come from this mentality and it's strange for them to see grown women 'acting cute' or for men to want women to be cute and childish as opposed to mature and sexy (coming from the mentality of a westerner where cute = young and innocent this could easily be seen as skimming the line into fetishes or even pedophilia for someone who doesn't know much about Japan).

So let us lay to rest the myth that westerners don't like cute things. Japan has a definite hand up on us in the cute overload department (to be honest I don't agree with the people that think this is normal and that we should adopt their 'cute mentality') but we have puppies, kittens and babies ... how much more cuteness do you need?

molestthyguitarists · 17 Mar 2009

Remixer said:
I believe you have misunderstood Dogen Z. He probably meant the general Japanese girl that wears a cute outfit is much more polite and well-mannered than a girl from the West.

I agree with Dogen Z. There is not much to be said in favor of the behaviour displayed by Western girls.

"As long as it's fun and nobody gets hurt, there is no problem"

Would be nice if the word self-restraint would appear somewhere in there.

Remixer

hey, we do have self restraint, thank you very much, or else i would be headbanging in the library right now instead of just listening to really loud rock on my headphones. -_-"
and there are rotten apples in every country full of girls, y'know.

Remixer · 17 Mar 2009

Argh, you know exactly what I meant.

Remixer

Haruspex · 17 Mar 2009

Wait... I want ambassadors of grim instead. Or ambassadors of The Dream of the Fisherman's Wife.

molestthyguitarists · 17 Mar 2009

in other news, the biggest and one of the oldest japanese visual kei bands, X Japan, have announced that they are collaborating with Sanrio to release a line of Hello Kitty dolls dressed up like members of X Japan back in the good old days.

Thats right. YoKitty, HideKitty, and all the others... -_-'

OMG I WANT THEM!!!

and as for america, i doubt we can have much on the ambassador front... except crap hip hop ambassadors, but i would just send those straight to hell.

Haruspex · 17 Mar 2009

I cannot seem to understand how any allegedly rock band would want ridiculous dolls (I am not bashing dolls in general here, just certain overhyped sorts of dolls) made after them.

I would send hip hop ambassadors to the depths of hell myself, but for a certainty, I would not fail in sending Hello Kitty after them.

molestthyguitarists · 17 Mar 2009

hmm... well X are generally known for releasing pretty much everything and anything that you could slap their names onto, such as wine, shirts, lingerie, curry, plushies, dolls, barbies, guitars, clothing in general, jewelry, miniature crystal pianos and drum sets, et cetera... they would release a turd in a Yoshiki box, and well, all of us would buy it. myself included.

their music is amazing and they are very talented. 16th notes and all that. but they also sell well.

meantime, there is everything hello kitty. including vibrators. -_-"

one wonders if they will make a vibrator of a hello kitty version of the dead guitarist, Hide.

Cutism in Japan(^^)

normal is so passe

puzzled gaijin

Back home

normal is so passe

Fear my Niftyness

Back home

もちもちした食感

desperate angel

aka YOSUQUE

先輩

aka YOSUQUE

先輩

aka YOSUQUE

先輩

Fear my Niftyness

先輩

desperate angel

Fear my Niftyness

Fear my Niftyness

desperate angel

先輩

先輩

desperate angel

先輩

desperate angel

Similar threads