Identity Crisis? Being a half Japanese gyaru and its pros and cons
I still need to write about 100 entries since the last one was about way back in March and it is now August...
I'm super busy this month travelling, moving out of my university halls to my friends, and getting ready to move back to England at the end of the month. Everything is so hectic, I bought way too much stuff here and I need to send back so many things to my mums in Kyushu and back home to England as well.
I just wanted to write something I was thinking about as I was walking back home from food shopping in the ridiculous heat of Japanese summer.
The pros and cons of being half Japanese, and looking the way I do, where is best for me to live?
My current plan is to graduate from university, I have one more year to go and then come back to Tokyo to work and study Fashion or make-up. I realised this year that I miss doing something creative, and its my passion so I should work on it. This is the only thing I wish I had done when I was making my decision to go into Art or to improve my Japanese skills after I had done my Art Foundation course 3 years ago.
But I will never regret it because of this year, it made me realise what I really want to do. I want to come back here and get back into being creative.
SO without sounding conceited in any way, I'm sure many of you wonder what its like being half Japanese. Sometimes, I feel like I wish I was just fully Japanese or British then things would be much easier. But there are so many advantages as I get to experience both culture equally, and I wouldn't change anything for that.
I decided to list all the advantages and disadvantages for me - being half, looking the way I do and living in Japan.
Advantages
Disadvantages
I'm super busy this month travelling, moving out of my university halls to my friends, and getting ready to move back to England at the end of the month. Everything is so hectic, I bought way too much stuff here and I need to send back so many things to my mums in Kyushu and back home to England as well.
I just wanted to write something I was thinking about as I was walking back home from food shopping in the ridiculous heat of Japanese summer.
The pros and cons of being half Japanese, and looking the way I do, where is best for me to live?
My current plan is to graduate from university, I have one more year to go and then come back to Tokyo to work and study Fashion or make-up. I realised this year that I miss doing something creative, and its my passion so I should work on it. This is the only thing I wish I had done when I was making my decision to go into Art or to improve my Japanese skills after I had done my Art Foundation course 3 years ago.
But I will never regret it because of this year, it made me realise what I really want to do. I want to come back here and get back into being creative.
SO without sounding conceited in any way, I'm sure many of you wonder what its like being half Japanese. Sometimes, I feel like I wish I was just fully Japanese or British then things would be much easier. But there are so many advantages as I get to experience both culture equally, and I wouldn't change anything for that.
I decided to list all the advantages and disadvantages for me - being half, looking the way I do and living in Japan.
Advantages
- Japanese LOVE hafus! So many celebrities, models etc are half. Easier to get into media or TV or modelling if I wanted to in the future maybe. I get a lot of attention when I'm out because of my appearance. Every time I meet some new its 'hafuu dayo ne?? gaijin san?? kawaii! jige?? (which means is that your natural hair colour, yes people are stupid enough to actually beleive that this is my real hair colour)' kind of gets annoying sometimes but I'm pretty sure it was an advantage for me because I have been able to make so many friends and connections with things I would like to do when I come back here (this includes fashion, modelling for rock fashion clothing companies, and starting a band).
- Being able to speak both Japanese and English fluently is very helpful in Japan. I may be able to get a job with translation or any sort of job really since I was able to find a part time job immediately here unlike the UK.
Disadvantages
- 'Normal' Japanese people can be very judgmental and old fashioned about anything but especially the way I look. Obviously, I get stares and comments every day and this is what I would have to put up with even living in the outskirts of Tokyo. I try not to let it get to me but sometimes it can get really stressful.
- Tattoos - people still have very old fashioned views about them and to some people it automatically means you're a yakuza or yankee or something which is ridiculous since I only have small tattoos which are butterflies and flowers. I sometimes think its makes things more difficult since I look Japanese to some people. If I looked more caucasian I'm not sure if they care as much. They don't understand that I grew up in England and a lot of people are tattooed in other countries and that it does not mean that I'm a drug addict or a failure in life. Although in fashion leading places like Shinjuku, Shibuya and Harajuku where you will see me hanging around most often, you will see stylish people of all ages with tattoos all the time.
Thanks for reading my rant kind of post. xD
if you would like to see a more frequently updated post please check my ameblo page on the right side of this blog.
Lastly a photo of one of my favourite hafu singer, actress and model. Anna Tsuchiya. She is a mixture of Japanese, American, Polish and Irish. She has a very strong and boyish personality, which is something you don't see in most Japanese idols.
A friend I worked with used to call me Anna ALL the time when she was drunk cause she thought I looked like her. I'm like I wish! xD I look nothing like her but it was a nice compliment I guess!
So have you ever had this kind of problem where you're not sure where you should be? Or have you encountered any problems with the way you look or tattoos/piercings etc? Please let me know in a comment as I would love to hear your stories ^^
if you would like to see a more frequently updated post please check my ameblo page on the right side of this blog.
Lastly a photo of one of my favourite hafu singer, actress and model. Anna Tsuchiya. She is a mixture of Japanese, American, Polish and Irish. She has a very strong and boyish personality, which is something you don't see in most Japanese idols.
A friend I worked with used to call me Anna ALL the time when she was drunk cause she thought I looked like her. I'm like I wish! xD I look nothing like her but it was a nice compliment I guess!
So have you ever had this kind of problem where you're not sure where you should be? Or have you encountered any problems with the way you look or tattoos/piercings etc? Please let me know in a comment as I would love to hear your stories ^^
more coming soon xoxo