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Seijinshiki

by Charles Freger & Little Fish

Photographs: Charles Freger

Text: Mariko Takeuchi

Publisher: Akaaka

76 pages

Pictures: color illustrations

Year: 2011

ISBN: 978-4-903545-74-5

Comments: hardcover with obi, 17,4 × 24 cm, manga by little fish, editing by Tomomi Tada, design by Yuma Harada

SEIJINSHIKI is made together with the photographer Charles Freger and the manga artist littlefish. Seijinshiki is a coming-of-age ceremony in Japan when 20-year-old girls dress in a formal kimono, Japanese traditional dress, known for its very tactile aesthetics and materials. Charles has made portraits of these girls in front of self-made backdrops depicting classical formal Japanese paintings. The irritating odd element is the reoccurring "peace" and "victory" sign which these girls project to the camera. This little gesture, which is such an integral part of young peoples posing for the camera, becomes, like so much of the Japanese culture, a bridge between old traditions, and contemporary pop elements.

The manga story from littlefish depicts a narrative of 2 girls excited about their upcoming ceremony, dressing up, drinking and then, in the end falling asleep as Kuroko, a dark figure, comes to strip them of the beautiful robes. A very loaded ending, symbolizing the loss of naivete and innocence.

Includes an English translation of dialogue between Charles Freger and Mariko Takeuchi, critic.

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