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May 31, 2004

Gothic Japan

Christon Café is a small chain of restaurants in Japan featuring uber-goth decor. The not-at-all goth clientele leads to me wonder if the effect is intentional. They do know the many icons on display are sacred to some people, right?

Apparently not, if this review of OI One, an eight-story goth/punk/etc. Tokyo shopping mall is any indication of what goth means in Japan.

Besides the scale and the methodical nature of the co-optation, one other thing makes it remarkable: OI ONE (supposedly this store is pronounced CIRCLE ONE, but since 'circle' isn't any more of a japanese word than 'oi', I fail to see the point) is a totally respectable, high-end retail chain. It's not HOT TOPIC, it's not even MACY's. it's like going to NIEMAN MARCUS and finding CRASS buttons and pre-spiked leather jackets.

Posted by Ghost of a flea at May 31, 2004 07:55 AM

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? Duelling Cultural Imperialisms from 101-280
Ghost of a flea links to this Japanese chain of ambitiously Roman Catholic-themed restaurants, called Christon Cafe. Each one is a simulated cathedral, filled with icons and artifacts, and seems to include genuine church components: A real altar The sh... [Read More]

Tracked on June 6, 2004 05:29 AM