Poles apart

I guess you had to be there.

that's some strength! Awesome! I wish I was there!

I am glad to see something that has its origins in sexual entertainment go mainstream. Unfortunately, I predict the anti-sex people among us will deny the roots if they are not already, and try to make us all believe that nothing positive comes from sex unless its making babies.

I am sorry to say this whoever did the makeup didn't do this woman justice...in fact it looks like Ichikawa doing some pole dancing

Bummer that I had to turn down tickets to last night's rehearsal. :-(

Should become part of the Olympics too.

I can't think of anything nasty to say.

How about a photo of the winner with her winning maneuver?

I think I prefer the sleazier version.

I am a big fan of the pole dance, although preferably at seedy clubs rather than contests. But I am definitely not a big fan of combining the pole routine with a weird Japanese costume/makeup motif. When it comes to pole dancing, less is more. Less is more.

Where do I stuff the dollar bills?

That's a dude!

Why has JT rotated the picture 90 degrees?

in fact it looks like Ichikawa doing some pole dancing

The entire city? That's a lot of people.

Oh bugger, how do I get down form this pole?

Smorkian I mean the guy that got beaten up recently - Ebizo Ichikawa - the drunk kabuki dude

Famous for his "cross eyed nirami" stare

one word - disgusting.

The woman's face looks weird in this photo. Anyway, I have seen some amazing pole dancers and give them respect for what they do.

hot

Speaking as a woman who doesn't especially approve of pole dancing, I think that this is an incredibly beautiful photo.

It could be just the lighting, but her expression combined with the red makeup to the side of her eye makes it look like she's bursting blood vessels with the effort of holding her position up like that.

Two words; incredible strength

I trying to picture Men's Pole Dancing in my mind...

disturbing. i had to read the article twice when i saw something written about women taking pole dancing classes. i find it simply astonishing that these individuals can't find something less overtly exhibitionistic and sexual to pursue as a cultural activity. is it some sexual power trip thing?the result of spending to many years (and dollars and yen) at the cosmetics counter without the expected return. and then there are those who would say that women should exploit their sexuality as a form of "empowerment". even though this photo is tame and it looks more like a combination of peking opera and gymnastics than a strip club, i have to second the "deranged" comment.

sorry, the comment was "disgusting", not deranged.

Just do not get into a,physical sort of argument, with those gals for they have a lot of muscle from working on that pole. Muscles some of us do NOT have.

Why show us a photo of a ladyboy?

Eri Kamimoto (pictured) took first place in the disabled division. She has a hearing impediment. Well done, Eri!

sorry, the comment was "disgusting"

Yes, your comment was disgusting.

Anyone interested in broadening his/her horizon, go to Youtube and search for "Pole Dancing Like You've Never Seen It". It's a couple pole dancing. Sorry it's not sleazy.

Some people like pole dancing; some people don't. Just live and let live.