A few hundred subculture and underground artists and designers participated in today’s second ARTiSM Market in Tokyo. As in the first ARTiSM Market, everything from Steam Punk to Lolita, from Shironori to Cyber, and many other subcultures active in Japan, could be found here. They sold CD’s, art, accessories, clothing and lots of other goodies.
I didn’t have the time to check every single artist, but I would like to introduce a few that caught my attention. Some you have encountered before on the pages of JAPANESE STREETS, others are new here.
TADACy | TADACy EYE
Metal band TADACy EYE vocalist TADACy started his brand in 2009. He creates bizarre stuffed animals and grotesque objects.
Creates and collects accessories, apparel, postcards and books based on antiques from the 19th century. The brand was founded in 2006, and it now has a single shop in Ikoma in Nara, opened in 2011.
Creates dolls that are part ghoulish, part sexy. Nekomiya is inspired by ghosts and Art Nouveau. For now she only sells her creations at events.
Photo courtesy of Eiko Nekomiya
Is Ruru‘s brand for apparel and bags.
Makes gorgeous gothic, steampunk and Lolita hats, all hand-made. “I call these hats corset hats,” says owner Eisui Yamada, while holding one of his creations. You probably remember Yamada and his daughter from Harajuku Fashion Walks. They are fervent participants.
Creates accessories that matches their original Kajo Soshoku (過剰装飾, excessively ornamented) clothes.
Creates Cyber Scouters, some of which have smartphone controlled light patterns.
Creates little horns. “I sold 100 today,” creator Riri told me.
Creates all kinds of Japanesque accessories like hair ribbons and brooches made of kimono textile. At the moment owner Kei Soune only sells at events, so you will have to come to Japan to lay your hands on these.
Is a brand we have covered almost since the very first days of JAPANESE STREETS. After all these years, we are still fans! See our previous coverage of Takuya Angel!
General Images
The next ARTiSM Market takes place in September. Hope you can be there!
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