Tokyo ‘Bouz’ … the monks of many colors
Japanese monks try to promote Buddhism through fashion, rap music
Mainichi Daily News, December 15, 2007— Japanese monks and nuns held a fashion show — replete with rap music and a catwalk — at a major Tokyo temple Saturday to promote Buddhism.
In the “Tokyo Bouz (monk) Collection” held at Tsukiji Honganji, nearly 40 monks and nuns from eight major Buddhist sects joined in the event aimed at winning back believers. Following a rap version of a Buddhist sutra, five monks from each school walked on the runway, then chanted prayers and wrapped up in a grand finale with confetti resembling lotus petals….
Most Japanese are nominally “Buddhist,” but for a majority they only step foot in a temple for funerals–That’s not great for PR, and the entire attitude of Japanese towards the thought of the religious is tenuous at best. Turning temples into fashion show venues makes more sense than just leaving them vacant and unwanted.
Anyway, check out the photo essay on the monks of many colors here on ABC News.
UPDATE!
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December 16th, 2007 at 4:59 pm
HILARIOUS!!! San Queue Desu! I love how the gal in the front row of the audience is cracking up!
December 16th, 2007 at 5:02 pm
Yes Rob, the Japanese are soooo pious.
