It’s becoming a sort of personal devotion that even a headache couldn’t stop me from going. I went all the way down from Chiba to Kawasaki, a 1.5 hr travel by train just to witness the Kawasaki Halloween Parade, my 4th time in 3 years since returning back to Japan in 2008. The event is held during the last Sunday of October and since I am always free on Sundays, I don’t have any reason to skip the spectacular costume parade. Funny but I can still identify some participants from previous parades.
The parade usually starts at 1430H but I always arrive at the venue 1-2 hours earlier. This would give me enough time to take cool portraits of the participants dressed in outrageous Halloween outfits and painted with exaggerated make-ups. Each year they show-off their creativity and I must say they don’t disappoint. Sometimes I wonder how much time and money they spend in order to put their ideas to life. While the place is turning into a multihued concrete kingdom, I start my shooting spree. Even the spectators weren’t exempted.
It’s difficult to exactly classify their costumes. At first, when I heard of Halloween Parade, I thought everyone’s donning scary, gory and creepy stuff only. I was wrong. Some are into mythical characters. Daytime fantasies. Cosplay. Name it. You got it. I particularly like this type of characters. They are pleasing and light to the eyes. Kawaii desho?
Of course, the parade is not complete without the traditional skeletons, monsters, vampires and zombies of the underworld. Honestly, I find them difficult to shoot, but I guess they are still interesting and oftentimes, crowd favorites.
I’ve been promoting this event to my friends and fellow photo enthusiasts over the years. And for the past 2 consecutive years, I serve as guide to two of my long-time flickr friends, one from Germany and the other from Japan. By the way, anyone can dress up and join the parade. This is not only open to Japanese but also to foreigners and, believe it or not, pets.
And yes, I am looking forward for next year’s celebration. That is, if my contract will be renewed. But for the meantime,
HAPPY HALLOWEEN みんなさん！
totomai
10/31/2011
Awesome photos! I love Halloween! I do fancy wearing costumes as well, I just wish you had posted a pic of you wearing one too. Hehe. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks! just wait for it on my birthday LOL! but i better be staying behind the lens lol
ReplyDeleteLove the photos! I was a cosplayer and plans to cosplay some anime and game characters soon. And this post really brought back the memories of cosplaying. Anyway, Happy Halloween and have a safe and solemn All Saints' Day. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Sumi, it's a regular working day here in Japan so yeah. LOL!
ReplyDeleteI like the skeleton women ... it's really nice ... creepy but nice. I hope more people cover this event ... its something that most people should know.
ReplyDeleteThanks Kay, the more i stare at the skeleton woman, the more i fall in love with her LOL!
ReplyDeletei thing there are some who blog about the event, but maybe mostly in Japanese. Thanks!
will probably join you next year...
ReplyDeletethat is, if i'm still here haha
ReplyDeleteI have never been to a Halloween party yet. Looking at this photos makes me feel so envious. :D
ReplyDeletesan ka sa costume bf.. ganda ski
ReplyDeleteSana ma experience mo Kit sa sunod...
ReplyDeletesyempre bespren, wala ako diyan
Beautiful photos. :) I love the colors.
ReplyDeleteAnd oh, where is the FOLLOW button?!? :)
ReplyDeletebeautiful portraiture shots John, i can understand why you would go despite the headache
ReplyDeleteThanks Aria and Ms Beth :-)
ReplyDelete