bat wings

This week the Steampunk World Tour pulls into Japan. The land of Zen gardens, Shinto shrines, the Daibutsu and Nō is also home to one of the most vibrant and dynamic Steampunk cultures we have yet encountered. Steampunk, per se, seems to be relatively new on the scene in Japan. The first Steampunk festival there was only held in 2012.

But that newness hasn’t in any way inhibited the growth of a vibrant and enthusiastic Steampunk community. There is an innovative and inventive energy about Japanese Steampunkers. Their retro-futuristic creativity has driven worldwide admiration which has in turn drive refinements and improvements in other Steam communities.

Steampunk has spread rapidly among the Japanese who seem to seize each new trend or craze with a no holds barred attitude. Manga has been retasked to suit Steampunk tastes. In fashion there is a blending of the Victorian with the fanciful that is truly stunning. Gadgetry and hardware abound and are pushing the edges of Steampunk fashion fused with technological functionality.

Perhaps the most impressive embrace of the Steampunk culture we’ve seen yet is evident in Japan. You’ll recall that we’ve seen Steampunk conventions and maker fairs throughout the Americas. In Australia, we learned about Steampunk fundraisers for local charities. In New Zealand, we saw an entire town given over to Steampunk. In the Philippines, with another nascent Steam culture, we saw the first retro-futuristic art fair. But in Japan, there is a luxury ‘resort’ Steampunk train that runs on the national rail system. Now, THAT’S a powerful Steampunk influence on a culture or society!

The breadth of the Japanese enthusiasm for things Steampunk is truly impressive. Of all the places we’ve visited before on our Steampunk World Tour, we have yet to see the likes of it.

Enjoy the pics and be sure to sample some of the music. It’s a really eclectic synthesis of sounds. Also, even though it’s in Japanese, be sure to check out the Tokyo Steampunk website. The illustrations are amazing!

Given Japan’s reverence of the traditional it’s hardly surprising to find a Steampunk samurai. Check out this great synthesis of old and older.	In keeping with tradition, a Steampunk Ninja. How cool is that. right? You have to wonder if the cogs on the shoulder double as throwing stars.
Airship pirates abound. I’ll bet that even Johnny Depp would admire this Japanese Steampunk iteration of Jack Sparrow.	While the costuming may not be as over the top as the previous picture’s – check out this awesome hardware! Unlike anything else we’ve seen so far.
Japanese women are also well turned out. We love this elegantly simple outfit. So understated but so clearly Steam powered.	Again, an overall simple costume design but made uniquely Japanese with the two Manga character style horns of polychrome hair! Love the octopus on the corset.
These two ladies are dressed more in the style of ‘mainstream’ Steampunk costuming like we’ve seen elsewhere.	Again, the woman on the left is more traditionally attired but check out the ‘Steampunk baby doll’ style of the woman on the right. So very like the innocent Lolita images found in Anime, Manga and Hentai. ]
And speaking of Manga and Hentai. here’s how it’s been adapted to the Steampunk genre., Very nice!	Here we have a fine example of Anime style Steampunk. Note that this illustration relies more on the traditional brow colors than the preceding one.
Bat shaped wings seem to also be quite popular with Japanese Steampunk enthusiasts. Check out this lady’s awesome mechanical wings.	And speaking of bat wings, check out this thoroughly awesome Steampunk Batman from the 2014 expo.
The term amazing gadgetry doesn’t even begin to describe the hardware we found in Japan.	We have no idea what this is but we definitely want one! Pocket compass watch, or perhaps a timelord’s device?
Forget smart watches and wrist monitors. We want one of these babies!	We saved the best image for last. Here you have it, the locomotive of the Japanese luxury ‘resort’ Steampunk train. Given the price (over $100,000 per booking) we won’t be taking a ride any time soon. But we CAN dream.