I should be grading
Below are pictures of the opening of a branch store of a Japanese cosmetic company that I and my friend the Shinto priest attended on Thursday. It was a big event and there were lots of photographers and media people, in addition to us. I had a great time being out in the world after a semester in my office and the classroom. Alas, no one took a picture of me, but I wore a cap sleeved cream colored vneck top from H and M, black pants, and a gigantic black bag, suitable for hauling books, branches, electronic dictionaries, and emergency alternative blouses.
This model had a red butterfly painted on her face and was wearing a tiny bowler hat with flowers and butterflies.
This kimono was made by the artist who did the butterflies too. It has a corset. The model has a big blue butterfly painted on her face.
butterflies close up
Close up of the butterflies. They're made with vintage kimono fabric and vintage American fabric, so they combine traditional and modern, Japan and the US. They're a permanent installation at the store and they look magnificent in the white space, complementing the color of the makeup.
offering set up
The offering was set up at the front of the store, so you can see Newbury Street out the window (notice the white butterfly cutouts). There's a talisman, from Ise Shrine in Japan, that Mr. S. had sent over, a bottle of sake, and branches. We then put some salt, some water, and some rice on the white cloth to offer to the kami.
Mr S. in his underrobes, setting up for the ceremony.
it's a big check! I've never seen one in real life before!
Mr S in the back room waiting for his big moment
the start of the blessing
the ceremony continues
more of the ceremony
taking the branches up
you can see the talisman here
the president of the company with a model
eyelash curlers
the center makeup bar, with me in the mirror
listening to speeches, with butterflies above
Mr. S, after the ceremony
Mr S and the artist who designed the kimonos and butterflies
lawyers and butterflies
The model, wearing diamond-studded fake eyelashes
My friends, the caterers. They had flowers painted on their faces, special butterfly tshirts and they carried delicious food and drinks. Spring rolls, peking duck meatballs, chicken on skewers, scallops encrusted in sesame seeds, shrimp with a coriander dipping sauce, all wafted by me on trays that were a little lighter after I got through with them.
The employees of the store, at the end of the night. They had some super-cool makeup on and were working the cash registers as the partygoers stocked up on eyeshadow for the face.
