New Fad Leads to Satanism
There seems to be a current trend in Japan of more men wanting to have beards and moustaches–apparently caused by aging baby-boomers now devolving into retired ex-salarymans and finding themselves divorced to boot. Whether that causes beards or not, I’m not sure–but it’s the usual explanation.
But this trend is hardly surprising, given the apparent Japanese penchant for riding the bandwagon of any latest craze. So it’s probably not surprising either that fake beards and moustaches are now becoming the latest must-have bling. Lee at Tokyo Times comments:
Japanese shaving goods shop spokesman Nori Takeuchi confirmed the trend by stating, “In particular, a large number of baby-boomers say they want to grow moustaches and beards. I guess they feel like doing so after becoming free from their company life-styles.” Department stores have not surprisingly been quick to cash in on the fad, with a flood of beard and moustache-related merchandise hitting the shelves. And for the man not exactly blessed with bristles, help is at hand, as wig manufacturer Propia is selling synthetic substitutes. Cleverly swapping the toupee for the ’tache.
And they even come in different colors too! Just the thing to go with your temporary tattoos, fake piercings, and add-on horns (or cat or bunny or animal ears–what’s the difference? Observe the satanic connection…) Think I want one of these beards ASAP so that I too can look wiser and more inscrutable or mysterious, or… more like Satan?
Notice how in the Before and After picture above, the guy looks perfectly normal Before but then looks strangely similar to “Mr Sparky” Afterwards? Fake beards are obviously a sort of gateway drug leading to the growing of real beards, and, ultimately, satanism — as surely as one puff of marijuana inevitably leads to heroin addiction?
I think it is not too far-fetched to conclude definitely that phony facial hair is truly the work of the Devil and a far greater danger to the future of the Japaneses state than demographics or economics are? Unless I have interpreted this current trend wrongly? Nah!
Do they sell them in Fu-Manchu style? If so I neeeed one.
June 16th, 2007 at 6:13 amsports presenter John Kabira has been wearing one of these for years…..look at his glutonous face….and he does indeed contain the devil….well he is half american and thats good enough for me
June 16th, 2007 at 10:28 amhttp://www.rakuten.co.jp/keitai/img10062484642.jpeg
Oh! A case in point. Need I say more? Notice the flames in background…
June 16th, 2007 at 11:14 am[...] kid you not! Apparently, baby boomers and retired salarymen now have the urge to grow a beard…or just fake it. The reason for this? Nobody really knows. There are just some [...]
June 17th, 2007 at 6:48 am“Notice the flames in background” tactical suggestion Dr.Paul - pay more attention to the foreground.
*I’m trying to be littoral or lateral or literal (if you wish.)*
http://lookd.com/fish/laterallinesystem.html
remora - out.
June 17th, 2007 at 12:01 pmHi remora–but in the foreground he had the devil beard and looks satanic and in the background there are even the flames of Hell? And he’s probably talking about football? Seems like case closed?
HOWEVER, this is very interesting (well–for people like me…) about the sides (not football ones). When recently you said “littoral” I know that’s a side and I have heard of “lateral lines” of course but thought–that isn’t the usual is it?
Other day was at the dentist and the girl said “it’s the distal side of #13…” Seemed scary enough but then reminded me of the regions of the fish (or anything): frontal, distal, dorsal, ventral, lateral. Right?
Am I wrong or do not limnologists usually talk about “littoral” meaning a beach or seaside (but “side” for sure)? But I know you were no doubt making a pun or using poetic license or something like that? But–the side of a fish we should usually call “lateral?” I hope so–or else I have got the cardinal directions wrong AGAIN and it has been so many years since high school!
But–take a look at that guy–devil or not? Undoubtedly…
June 17th, 2007 at 12:20 pmYou KNOW guys that I am just having a bit of fun like practically always… I know that there are no more Satanists in Japan than anywhere else and that the few of them unfortunately probably have mental illnesses. And I don’t count Wika as satanism. But I still cannot understand why guys want to have these stupid little Fu Manchu beards that make them look like the devil? Oh! If girls like them or it is the fashion then I can understand. But–really…!
June 17th, 2007 at 12:28 pmNo no no Nicholls, that’s not what a Fu Manchu is. This is more like a goatee or a semi-goatee which, you’re right, make people look devillish (I HATE goatees!) I also believe that little piece just below the lips is called an “Imperial.” Personally I’m kinda waiting for mutton chops to become “in” again.
What I always wondered about is how that extremely weird samurai look (shaved top of head, topknot) came about.. Warriors not wanting to offend the older balding warlord by a full head of hair perhaps? Or emulating a really successful older balding warlord? Hmm..
June 17th, 2007 at 3:07 pmCuase the Fu Manchu beards look cool. If the devil is stylish too, so be it. One interesting observation though; did anyone else notice in the before picture you can see the stubble from just having shaved from the after picture?
June 17th, 2007 at 3:09 pmThe samurai hairstyle of shaved on top was, I understand, originally to keep the head cool under a hot helmet. The topknot was supposed to act as an extra layer of blow-absorbing cushion.
June 17th, 2007 at 3:52 pmThe samurai hairstyle of shaved on top was, I understand, originally to keep the head cool under a hot helmet. The topknot was supposed to act as an extra layer of blow-absorbing cushion. That’s also the reason older (Kamakura-period) helmets have a hole in the top: ventilation.
June 17th, 2007 at 3:53 pmOh, the samurai hairstyle of shaved on top was originally to keep the head cool under a hot helmet ? And its topknot was supposed to act as an extra layer of blow-absorbing cushion ? Really ? Hmmm… It certainly makes sense. Maybe you are right, Overthinker.
I believed it was to give boldness the pride(or to conceal boldness), and topknot was to show samurai identity. I think many Japanese believe so. In Edo period(1603 - 1867) there was no war at all in Japan and topknot was just the symbol of samurai.
June 19th, 2007 at 6:48 pmThe 大江戸ものしり図鑑 confirms the shaving of the pate (sakayaki: 月代) developed to keep the head cool under a helmet in the Sengoku period, though the roots are earlier and the full pate-shave developed in the late Middle Ages (according to the Shogakkan Nihon Rekishi Daijiten).
It is more likely that after it was developed for pragmatic purposes that it became a symbol of identity. What I find interesting though is that a samurai class jealous of its rank would sit back and allow common townsmen etc to imitate its hairstyle.
The samurai hairstyle was banned a few years into Meiji, which is one reason we seldom see it these days, and its function as the hairstyle of the fussy status- and power-obsessed bureaucrat has been replaced with the traditional comb-over….
June 20th, 2007 at 11:14 amThe thign about Satan is a joke right?
October 29th, 2008 at 9:41 amEven the protestants in the U.S. don’t see facial hair as a sign of the devil. If that isn’t a fake post i’m very confused!!!
I don’t get it…
Most people will grow a beard, all you need to do is SHAVE.
Even if there’s nothing TO shave, just shave, three times a day.
After a few weeks, you’ll start seeing thicker and thicker hair.
It’s not that you don’t have facial hair, it’s simply too thin and minuscule to be visible. However if you shave very frecuently, I can guarantee most ANYONE can grow substantial facial hair.
These fake ad-dons are simply too silly. If you want to look STUPID, go ahead and wear one. But if you follow my tips, you’ll have real beards in just a few weeks.
Remember, shaving makes hair grow back thicker… Why do you think most women wax instead of shave their legs? Waxing removes follicles and weakens hair, shaving makes your legs grow in hair suitable for a mammoth.
PEACE and good luck!
November 22nd, 2008 at 4:24 pm“shaving makes hair grow back thicker”
Myth.
“most women wax instead of shave”
Unlikely.
“Waxing removes follicles”
Not even approaching sense.
I call shenanigans, DY!
November 24th, 2008 at 2:40 pm