Anyway, so I believe our signifiers here are the giant stuffed cats, figures, the sales clerk, and the insane wallpaper.
Now, I think the major signified here is the 'Kawaii' style. Notice all the writing, both on the Sanrio sign and the boxes under the stuffies? Its bubbly, in neon/pastel colors (expect the bigger sign), and gives that idea that a child just drew it.
Another thing is the massive amount of pink, EVERYWHERE... There's no doubt who Hello Kitty and her friends are aimed to meet: girls. Here may be the outlines of a social structure of a girl; she should be cute, innocent, dolled-up, loveable, and overall have a ton of pink stuff. This image seems to be more in-line with an American view of a girl (See the Cuties in Japan link at Mizenko-sensei's blog for more info) then a Japanese girl. Perhaps it's the drive to compete against the Western image with Japan's own version of a cute girl?
In response to your comment, Devon, I agree! I'd also like to mention that I think this picture was aimed towards tourists, to show the typical everyday life of a Japanese woman should be. The woman in the photo seems to be at ease in the Hello Kitty/Sanrio store, and not just because she works there. Also, the idea that an actual tourist may have taken the picture is shown by the amateur photo-takin skillz, since we can see fingers covering the flash.
So, to sum it up I think in response to your comment, America wants to emulate the idea of a girl that Japan has created in Hello Kitty. Now I wonder what that says about my unhealthy obsession with Chococat?
Ok what does that red hello kitty signify? Sunburn kitty. ^^. Maybe devil kitty, some one get it some horns. Between the psychedelic wallpaper and shop keeper playing with what looks to be a knife, and the big black blobs honing in on them I think this picture is really great!! Yay for crazy hello kitty stores.
Yikes!!! What a crazy/awesome thought that a Sanrio-employee would be handling a knife during work; kinda like “It’s all so cute…too cute…I MUST DESTROY THE KITTY!” But I exaggerate…
I actually think that the object in her hand is a cell-phone viewed from the side-angle, which only serves to complete this veritable Western tourist-porn of contemporary Japan (:D) – which is everything that is cute, compact, technological, and irreverent. You see these categories of stereotypes constantly on American TV programming, not to mention advertising. The entire image appears to connote a cuddly, loveable and Western-styled version of Japan.
If she is texting on a cellphone, she better be on break!! It just seems like the top part of the object is a different color from the bottom, which led be to believe it was knife to either open boxes and letters. She just has this silly expression on her face, like der how do I use this thing.
Wow Lisa... You would put up a Hello Kitty...
ReplyDeleteAnyway, so I believe our signifiers here are the giant stuffed cats, figures, the sales clerk, and the insane wallpaper.
Now, I think the major signified here is the 'Kawaii' style. Notice all the writing, both on the Sanrio sign and the boxes under the stuffies? Its bubbly, in neon/pastel colors (expect the bigger sign), and gives that idea that a child just drew it.
Another thing is the massive amount of pink, EVERYWHERE... There's no doubt who Hello Kitty and her friends are aimed to meet: girls. Here may be the outlines of a social structure of a girl; she should be cute, innocent, dolled-up, loveable, and overall have a ton of pink stuff. This image seems to be more in-line with an American view of a girl (See the Cuties in Japan link at Mizenko-sensei's blog for more info) then a Japanese girl. Perhaps it's the drive to compete against the Western image with Japan's own version of a cute girl?
Alright, that's hope I do this right~
ReplyDeleteIn response to your comment, Devon, I agree! I'd also like to mention that I think this picture was aimed towards tourists, to show the typical everyday life of a Japanese woman should be. The woman in the photo seems to be at ease in the Hello Kitty/Sanrio store, and not just because she works there. Also, the idea that an actual tourist may have taken the picture is shown by the amateur photo-takin skillz, since we can see fingers covering the flash.
So, to sum it up I think in response to your comment, America wants to emulate the idea of a girl that Japan has created in Hello Kitty. Now I wonder what that says about my unhealthy obsession with Chococat?
Ok what does that red hello kitty signify? Sunburn kitty. ^^. Maybe devil kitty, some one get it some horns. Between the psychedelic wallpaper and shop keeper playing with what looks to be a knife, and the big black blobs honing in on them I think this picture is really great!! Yay for crazy hello kitty stores.
ReplyDeleteYikes!!! What a crazy/awesome thought that a Sanrio-employee would be handling a knife during work; kinda like “It’s all so cute…too cute…I MUST DESTROY THE KITTY!” But I exaggerate…
ReplyDeleteI actually think that the object in her hand is a cell-phone viewed from the side-angle, which only serves to complete this veritable Western tourist-porn of contemporary Japan (:D) – which is everything that is cute, compact, technological, and irreverent. You see these categories of stereotypes constantly on American TV programming, not to mention advertising. The entire image appears to connote a cuddly, loveable and Western-styled version of Japan.
If she is texting on a cellphone, she better be on break!! It just seems like the top part of the object is a different color from the bottom, which led be to believe it was knife to either open boxes and letters. She just has this silly expression on her face, like der how do I use this thing.
ReplyDelete