Culture Shock 3 - Mask Culture in Japan
It's getting cold these days. The lowest air temperature in my home city, Osaka is about 37 degree so that It's already freezing for me.
I had a bit of culture shock again because people here don't wear surgical mask at all. In Japan, many people wear surgical mask to help prevent the spread of colds and flu in winter.
But, with the increasing acceptance of masks, many Japanese have begun to use them for other purposes.
- Fashion Items
There are various kinds of cute masks and surgical masks are also considered as a fashion item in Japan.Moreover, the main reason why women wear masks is that masks hide their faces so that they don't have to wear makeup. Also, they make the face look smaller.
And maybe guys wear them because they don't shave a beard and want to hide it.
- Influential celebrities and bloggers
A popular Japanese singer, model, and blogger, Kyary Pamyu Pamyu wears masks as a fashion item, and that is one of the source of wearing surgical masks culture.
In addition, Japanese makeup artist, Zawachin was showed with attention for her monomane meiku (imitation makeup) which made her look exactly like popular celebrities, such as one direction.
I had heard of mask culture before, but I didn't realize how many benefits there are. It helps prevent illness, makes your face look smaller and nobody can tell if you don't wear makeup, which sounds great to me! I also love that there are fashion masks to help express yourself. Maybe we should bring mask culture to the US!
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