@Leaf: I enjoy good discussions and people with their own opinions (as long as it’s done with respect to the people we photograph and the other users, of course), so keep them coming!

@Mel & Lia: I love natural black hair as much as you do, but I also feel for Asian people. My light colored hair that can be any color, and straight, curly or wavy, has given me a freedom of choice that I took totally for granted until I came to Japan.

When you have light colored hair, you can color it in a myriad of colors and most people will think it is your natural color. My sister has dyed her hair red for so long that everybody believes it is the hair color that she was born with. When people compliment her on her hair, she feels that she has broken chains. That she is free.

When your hair is black, you loose that freedom. I can’t count the number of Japanese who have confided in me their feeling of frustration over their hair, how they feel boxed in and limited by the fact that they have no choice but black and straight.

Their lack of choice for hair colors and styles has become symbolic for other lifestyle limitations. It took youths that dyed their hair green, yellow and pink back in the 90s to break this age-old strictly enforced taboo and make it possible for people here to try other hairstyles, and simultaneously, other lifestyles. What may come across as unnatural to some is really a quest for fashion freedom, and a strong burning desire to be free to choose your own lifestyle.

Interestingly, this has allowed young Japanese to discover what it means to be Japanese, and rediscover their Japanese cultural heritage. It has actually been especially the people with dyed hair, or people like Hiromi Moegi who wear wigs, that have brought kimono and yukata, and many other “traditional” Japanese items, back into fashion.

In the early 90s it looked like kimono and yukata were almost done in for. Since the mid-90s sales have finally gone up again, the first time since the end of WWII! It is thanks to these people. I am grateful and salute them.

@sandra sinforiano: Thank you very much for sharing your thoughts. I completely agree with you. I don’t think we should let ourselves be limited by preconceived perceptions.

Also thank you very much for your nice words about JAPANESE STREETS. I am looking forward to seeing a lot more of your comments.

We love you, too!

@KW: Not all, but many do.

@derek: Your words somehow exude cheerfulness. It infected me. Thanks.