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Now I’m not saying grunge isn’t fun, and I’m not saying there aren’t hundreds of happily grungy Neko. For the first time, I realized how strange we grungy Neko must look to the Japanese Neko of Second Life. The more I understood the underlying interpretation and culture associated with all things kawaii, the more I realized what a contrast this was to the “assertive, street-savvy, feral” (aka grunge) Neko that is so often associated with “being Neko” in SL. Kinda like the reaction you feel when you see a poor little defenseless kitteh. It calls forth the feelings you might have for a sweet, adorable child, ranging from tenderness and affection, to protectiveness. It evokes images of vulnerability and timidity. Tomoyuki Sugiyama, author of “Cool Japan,” claims that kawaii represents a much deeper attitude – inherently rooted in, and a direct reflection of, Japan’s harmony-loving culture.Įven the word “kawaii” represents so much more than “cute.” To the Japanese, it embodies a sense of innocence, purity, and kindness. Today, the concept of kawaii has evolved so much, it’s considered by many to be a core element of Japan’s national identity.
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You can find it just about everywhere - in kawaii mannerisms (such as the “peace” sign), food (check out the cookbook for Kawaii Bento Boxes if you don’t believe me), toys (Hello! Kitty was only the beginning), housewares (such as San-X’s adorable Rilakkuma bear set), entertainment (countless websites, games, TV shows and more), and fashion (Neko cosplay being just one facet of “dressing up kawaii”). However since then, “kawaii” has grown into a veritable Japanese cultural statement. (Remember “flower power” during the 1970s in the U.S.? Yeah, kinda like that). Supposedly this “kawaii style” of writing became so popular, it sparked a national sensation that gradually found its way into advertising, product development, and media. While some say it was just a marketing scheme, or a reflection of Japanese anime/manga, most seem to think it began with something far more sweet and innocent: teenage girls in the 1970s who started writing in rounded, childish lettering decorated with cute little hearts and stars (in stark contrast to the more serious, vertical strokes of traditional Japanese writing). To better understand the contrast between grunge versus kawaii, it’s helpful to understand how the whole Kawaii thing came to be. Yet the essence of “being kawaii” in Japan goes far beyond cute fashion…Įlements of kawaii can be found almost anywhere you look, from Japanese passenger jets, to postage stamps depicting anime characters, not to mention the more familiar Hello! Kitty that has made its way around the world. Japanese Neko are more often dressed up and characterized as kawaii (roughly translated as “cute”), with outfits featuring sweet little details like pink ribbons, lace trim, adorable trinkets and charming accessories. In fact we Neko owe our heritage to Japan, where the standard couture for a Nekomimi is a far cry from the grunge fashion that’s often associated with Neko in Second Life. If there’s one thing I’ve noticed in all my Neko ramblings and research, it’s this: not all Neko are created grunge.
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Think again, my dear little human admirer. After all, we Neko are all about grunge, right? Torn shirts, ratty jeans, skulls, barbed wire and piercings… that’s the epitome of Neko culture, isn’t it? If you’re like most humans I’ve met in Second Life, seeing a Neko all dressed up in pink and surrounded by cuteness may seem a bit… odd.