By jakeadelstein: FUCKIN'
SALE. In flashy Osaka the use of English for decorative purposes in
Japanese advertising reaches a new peak of perfection.
God knows what the people in this Department Store in Osaka were thinking when they came up with this advertising slogan but Zarina Yamaguchi, a friend of a friend, was thinking “pretty damn funny”
when she snapped this picture on January 4th. Zarina explains:
Well, a childhood friend of mine and I were
strolling along the local street in Shinsaibashi, Osaka. Being around
the extra-genki Osaka-jins and salesladies screaming ‘Irashaimasse’ from
every direction for the ongoing New Year Sales has never made us feel
more at home. On our way to catch up over coffee, I walked into this
store to check some things. Truth is, I didn’t even notice the posters.
When I looked around, each corner had posters that printed ‘fucking
sale’. I didn’t know how to react but what caught me by surprise was
that none of the people around me seem to understand the profanity. My
friend Sarah and I, both of mixed Japanese descent, both bilingual in
Japanese and English, were struck with the comical twist. Pretty sure I
would have never seen this elsewhere, I had to snap a shot.
The store is located in Shinsaibashi right next to Hearton Hotel Shinsaibashi and Planet 3rd cafe, she adds.
I should note that Zarina’s childhood friend is Sarah
Kashani, my friend and one of the most knowledgable scholars on Koreans
in Japan. Sarah verified the authenticity of the signage and the sale,
although neither side has disclosed whether they actually bought
anything at the sale.
2012 is going to be a fuckin’ awesome year in Japan. You
can’t help but feel that way. Our thanks to Ms. Yamaguchi-sama for her
contribution. We’re f*ckin’ grateful. 超感謝ですよ。
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