It’s summer again in Japan, which means the return of many things, like shaved ice snacks, seeing guys’ nipples through their shirts, and Obon festivals. And much like these things, we can also count on idol/blogger/cosplayer/gamer extraordinaire Shoko Nakagawa, aka Shokotan, to be covered in the discarded husks of cicadas every summer.
This is an annual "tradition" which can be traced back as far as 2008 where the beloved celebrity adorns herself with exoskeletons shed by those sizable bugs known for flying around with all the grace of a drunk truck driver and making a sound that is either pleasantly relaxing or ear-piercingly annoying depending on your proximity to them.
First, on Aug 7, Shokotan released an image of herself with her hair down and weighted down even further with the husks of about 100 cicadas.
But that was just the prelude to a bigger event. During the Rock In Japan concert in Yoyogi Park, Shokotan performed in front of an audience of 8,000. Then, in the middle of her set she took a box containing 1,000 hollow cicadas and proceeded to dump it all over herself.
After that, she lay down on stage and began to take a bath in the insect remains.
Shokotan later explained on her blog that the experience was a “testament to living” and that while surrounded by the “crisp rustling sound” of the shells she had never felt more alive.
Netizens had this to say about Shokotan’s cicada fun 2015.
“Gross.” “Maybe it’s just caramel corn…” “She’s serious gone off at the deep end.” “I thought it was cute when she did it five years ago. This time I feel kind of sick.” “Don’t those things have parasites on them, like ticks or something.”
It would seem that the cicada antics aren’t received overwhelmingly well, but when you decide to affix molted cicada skins to your hair, you’d have to expect a little negative feedback. And if you think that’s the weirdest of thing this cat licking, Pokémon game chewing celeb is into, then you don’t know Shokotan.
Sources: Shokotan Blog, Alfalfalfa
Read more stories from RocketNews24. -- Bizarre human cicada appears in Tokyo…oh wait, that’s just Mr. Leotard at it again! -- Singing, ticking timebombs – 5 facts about the special significance of cicadas in Japan -- Man spends $140,000 a month on cosmetic surgery, girls still aren’t impressed
© Japan Today
15 Comments
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sensei258
I bet that looks good on a resume.
Mirai Hayashi
Ficken gross!
Kenny Iyekawa
Sponsored by Earth Chemical Co.
Wolfpack
That's disturbing.
DaDude
I always thought Shokotan was a cutie but this is kind of gross. Maybe she will be the cover model of some bug aficionado magazine.
John Michael White
Far out, man !!
CGB Spender
May be repulsive but she still looks good, even in that dress!
Monozuki
For me, it's just plain uncomfortable to watch these tons of balm crickets. Let alone wearing them. But for Shokotan, these cicadas look like a healing balm of comfort to her. In short, every man after his fashion or every woman after her fashion this time, if you will.
gogogo
Not art or fashion.
MyTimeIsYourTime
Wow....amazing tradition going all the way...allllll the way back to 2008!
smithinjapan
Does she know that cicadas live underground for years and only see life outside for a mere few weeks before dying? That is often the trend of celebrity status here in Japan, so I suppose if that's what she's pushing for, then we'll be forgetting all about this by the end of next week and that'll be it for her.
shallots
Seems like all the best stuff comes from the rocket.
misunderstood
Looks like a Lady GAGA fan to me!! Something is wrong!
C Harald Hansen
If people went around covered in those things here, I'd tell them to see an exterminator...
Taketomo
Japan has taken being weird to a new level. What's this about seeing guys nipples ? Huh?