it does mean such like that at all.It seems to be sending the message that white skin = beautiful/ successful/ better (take your pick), especially towards females
I heard that the it is the same in India. Paler skin means that you are not of the lower classes ie: a farmer. Strange that in the west people try and get darker skin, as they link it to looking healthy. Again sometimes going to the extremes of chemical use and tanning beds.
As they say, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
You know as much as I hate to admit it, I can relate to you somewhat, I often look at my body and think "maybe I should wax?", because being of middle-eastern decent I'm alot more hairier then most and living in London I feel a little self-conscious wearing a shirt outside. I think that if I wax I would look more 'pleasable', not whiter just more accepted, because I am proud being from Iran, just not of the hair...
A healthy tan is definitely the way to go.
Before godzillions of money for your cash healthy tan you will make, it is a good idea to conduct your market research in Japan.
Besides, I'm of the mindset that possibly aging a little faster is well worth it for a life well lived. Hiding under umbrellas and staying indoors and worrying about my skin tone holds nothing to a day at the beach or canoeing over a lake and all that good stuff.
MadamePapillon posted
I agree, such a life doesn't sound like much fun. Sounds like I might need to find a new wife! But seriously, those sun ghosts need to 'darken' up!
Back to the topic, this thread reminds me of something a read a few years ago. "Uguisu no Fun", or nightingale droppings, are used to cleanse the face and also tint the skin at the same time.
Personally I like my pale skin. It contrasts nicely with my dark hair and eyes. That said, I wouldn't mind a bit of a tan, but I don't tan well at all. I just burn.
What do you mean exactly by ''they all looked darker back then''? You're mistaken.Something funny that happened today. My bother was playing Call of Duty and fighting the Japanese so he got to talking about them and he made the observation that Japanese people all looked darker back then and that they all look a lot paler now. Of course I thought of this thread and mentioned to him that a lot of products in Japan have have whitening agents. He just sort of shook his head and laughed and now apparently thinks Japan is even stranger than he had before. Go figure.
What do you mean exactly by ''they all looked darker back then''? You're mistaken.
Paleness has always been very valued in Japanese culture, for men and women alike.
Paleness is associated with social status. The rich are white and the poor are darker.
In call of duty you face soldiers, that's why they are a darker. Also, most of the fighting takes place on Okinawa, Okinawans are darker than Japanese.
Yes, paleness has always been valued but how many people could afford, or had the luxury of tending to their skin and using lightening products on a regular basis?
If you compare photos of old time Japan to modern Japanese you notice the different right away.
If you compare photos of old time Japan to modern Japanese you notice the different right away.