TokyoDV Video Log



World Trade Center: One Month Before 9/11 (Aug 31)
George Mauro’s video reminder of how peaceful the World Trade Center was only one month before September 11th. This clip has views from the top, inside, and base of the huge buildings. He created this video and commentary the same day the towers collapsed.. Related: VISIT: George Mauro’s Site WATCH: YouTube Version TokyoDV Tube! - Check out channel TokyoDV on [...]


TDV Street Fashion: Yukako’s Jumpsuit (Jun 8)
An interview with Yukako in her jumpsuit on the streets of Harajuku. She has long lashes, checkered shoes, and a warm gaze. She tells us where she likes to shop, what she’s wearing, and gives specific detail of her desires for Christmas.. In Japanese with English subtitles. Originally released in 2003. TokyoDV Tube! - Check out channel TokyoDV [...]


TDV Reporst: God Yakuza! (May 31)
An interview with a minister of a small church in Chiba, Japan. Mr. Suzuki is tattood, pinkyless, and basking in the glow of God’s love.. Becasue ‘Jesus loves him for who he is’; an ex-member of the feared Japanese mafia - the Yakuza. See the video interview here and read the article by Captain Japan - [...]


TDV Reports: Three Asimos Attack! (May 28)
Now in XDV! (Xceptional DV) Some close-ups of Asimo’s ankle joints, tinted face shield, and knees. The lighting was strange/futuristic and the fluid/freaky motions of Asimo made this an intriguing clip; still one of my personal favorites. Shot at one of the Robodex Expos in Yokohama, Japan. Originally released in 2002. TokyoDV Tube! - Check out channel TokyoDV on [...]


TDV Reports: Sex for Brands (May 24)
NOT SAFE FOR WORK! Now in XDV! (Xceptional DV) An interview with Becky Yee. Becky spent time photographing Japanese girls who get paid for sex. Primarily to buy name brand bags and apparel.. Originally released in 2003, then again in 2005. Note: The name of the photographer in the video is incorrect; It should be Becky Yee, not Becky Lee. TokyoDV [...]


Vidicle: A Publisher in the Shadows (May 18)
Something I just started working on. I call them ‘Vidicles’; video previews of written articles. Since the YouTube ‘revolution’ has expanded the definition of ‘online video’ - (talking heads pointlessly babbling in front of a camera? This is entertainment?) I thought; ‘why not make videos of someone reading well written, captivating articles’? In this case, that [...]


TDV Street Fashion: Mami’s Mini Skirt (May 18)
Mami likes second-hand clothes in ‘vitamin’ colors from all over the world. Today she’s wearing a plaid mini skirt with striped socks while carrying a Goofy handbag. Her dog’s sporting a purple tank top and punk collar.. They’re enjoying the fine weather outside before window shopping in Harajuku. TokyoDV Tube! - Check out channel TokyoDV on YouTube [...]


TDV CM: Space Design Shinagawa - English (Jul 1)
A commercial (CM in Japan) for Space Design Shinagawa; a serviced apartment building in Tokyo, Japan. Ms. Ruth Shiraishi gives all the information in English.. From the website: Bureau Shinagawa serviced apartments offer guests professional service with the privacy of a condominium. Situated in convenient locations for easy access to airports, Shinkansen, and commuter trains… TokyoDV Tube! - [...]


TDV CM: Space Design Shinagawa - Japanese (Jul 1)
A commercial for Space Design Shinagawa; a serviced apartment building in Tokyo, Japan. Ms. Kang Sooja gives all the information in Japanese.. From the website: Bureau Shinagawa suites are larger than area hotel rooms, have all the conveniences of home including DVD player, cable TV, and en-suite washer /dryer. Bureau Shinagawa brings you convenience and cool in [...]


Japanese Catfight Slapping (Apr 21)
Hhhmm.. What can I say? This is a staged ‘cat fight’ between two women wearing little clothing. The action is pretty fake, but sort of entertaining; some of the wrestling positions they find themselves in are rather ridiculous. Lots of slapping, bending, rolling, swinging, kicking, and twitching. The video also features some sort of creature with a [...]


TDV Reports: Japanese Violin Babes (Apr 21)
While wandering around on press day at the opening of Tokyo Midtown, I stumbled onto this ‘performance’ at one of the shops.. To be honest, I don’t remember the shops name or even what they were selling; seemed like jewelry or something. An attractive woman approached me as I was filming the hardwood floor outside her shop; [...]


TDV Reports: Tokyo Midtown Promo (Mar 31)
A promo clip shown at Tokyo Midtown’s press conference last Monday. “Various elements are intertwined to contribute to the diversity by accepting and stimulating each other.”.. Sounds fun.. The audio translation is a bit tough to pick up, but I’m not sure if it’s due to the audio level or the content of the speech.. Sometimes Japanese [...]


TDV Reports: Tokyo Midtown Visual Tour (Mar 27)
Some of the scenery at the new skyscraper complex in Roppongi; Tokyo Midtown. Overall, I was impressed; Lots of grass, open space in the back, and natural wood. It’s also easier to navigate than Roppongi Hills, and the water everywhere might keep it cool during summer months. Inside seems to be well lit by natural light.. [...]


Japanzine’s Links to Japan on the Web (Mar 18)
This year’s Japan on the Web list of links, formally known as Japanzine’s Best of the Web.. These links were chosen by James Hadfield at SeekJapan, also known as Japanzine; the monthly print mag is still called Japanzine.. Did ya get all that? Anyway, TokyoDV made the Best of the Web/Japan on the Web list for [...]


TDV Reports: Commuting to Work (Feb 24)
A friend back home was doing a report on ‘how people live in other parts of the world’. I thought maybe a video of my commute to and from work might represent ‘living in Japan’. Since I don’t own a car and use the trains exclusively for transportation, I thought it might be interesting for [...]


Happy Valentine’s Day! (Feb 2)
Valentine’s Day is unique in Japan; only women give gifts and chocolates. The men give white chocolate one month later; ‘White Day’ on March 14th.. Seems strange, but I guess it helps men avoid any social mistakes of what to give to whom. Although, I think it mainly has to do with chocolate companies creating another [...]


Winter Street Fashion (Jan 21)
November Street Fashion


Japan’s Coming of Age Day (Jan 7)
Sometime in early January, Japan celebrates twenty-year-olds becoming adults. Coming of Age Day is time for them to dress up in kimonos, gather at the local city hall, and listen to bureaucrats tell them how important ‘adults’ are. The new adults usually get drunk before, after, and sometimes during the ceremony since they’re now legal drinking [...]


Japanese Personal Christmas (Dec 20)
Rob Pongi helps needy young Japanese ladies find the spirit of Christmas past; Eating KFC and strawberry short-cake, strolling among the illuminations, and ‘resting’ in love hotels.. Everyone knows the proper way to celebrate Christmas in Japan is on a date. Rob reads personal ads while the snow flies, the music beeps, the girls sway, and [...]


Neputa (Large Paper Float) in Shibuya (Dec 7)
The Neputa (large paper float) Festival in Aomori is famous throughout Japan. This single float was on display in Shibuya, Tokyo on a popular street called ‘Senta Gai’. It was nice to see the float up close, but I was a bit disappointed there was only one. I’m sure the real Neputa Matsuri is impressive..


TokyoDV Street Fashion: Fall Collage (Oct 28)
A dog in a shirt, some punks in suits, and a girl in a kilt.. Shot in the Omotesando area of Tokyo.


Shibuya Paradise: Digiko Girls (Aug 18)
On my way to another shoot in Yoyogi Park, I stumbled upon the Digiko Girls ‘performing’ outside Hachiko exit in Shibuya. The sun glistened off their shiny black boots as they squeeked out their latest tune.. No one seemed to mind they couldn’t sing since they provided colorful energy on an otherwise monotonous day.


TDV Street Fashion: Fashion Fight! (Jun 25)
Two girls play frisbee one afternoon, then end up fighting, wrestling, and shooting each other with squirt guns.. What can I say? This is Japan. We had a lot of fun shooting this clip. I rented a Cube car, bought a six pack of beers, and brainstormed different shooting ideas. The video is still [...]


TDV Street Fashion: Mana’s Blue Pants (Jun 25)
Mana likes ‘grotesquely’ beautiful accessories. Here, we interview her after a smoke-break outside her clothing store in Harajuku. She’s wearing pointed shoes, baggy blue pants, and a simple brown t-shirt. I was impressed with her sense of ’self’; it seems a lot of ‘fashionable’ people are playing roles - their outer shells don’t represent who they [...]


TDV Street Fashion: Capoeira Kids (May 21)
A short video of teenagers practicing Capoeira in Yoyogi park. According to Wikipedia, “Capoeira is an Afro-Brazilian martial art developed initially by African slaves in Brazil, starting in the colonial period. It is marked by deft, tricky movements often played on the ground or completely inverted. It also has a strong acrobatic component in some [...]