Japan's post-quake kawaii cute movement
That's the message of the Mighty Harajuku Project, started by Sebastian Masuda three days after the disaster, and now entering its second phase as Masuda and others take their message that the Harajuku kids are all right overseas.
Masuda, founder of the ultra-kawaii 6%Dokidoki boutique and café in Harajuku, says Japan's youth aren't about to drop their love of kawaii (cute) because of the quake.
There’s much more to this cultural trend than a feeling for candy-colored accessories, he argues. "People who consider kawaii just one aspect of youth culture will begin to see that it’s an innate expression of the Japanese spirit," Masuda tells us.
"Without this spirit, we do not possess the energy, the driving force, to face this crisis."
Planet Kawaii
Masuda says the “happy anarchy” expressed by Harajuku’s colorful street styles is tied to the energy of the punk movement in the 1980s and the flower-power movement in the 1960s.
It’s about youth finding a place to be themselves, away from the judgmental eyes of the older generation. It’s about being free on what Masuda likes to call “Planet Kawaii.”
More on CNNGo: Craziest Tokyo boutiques
The Mighty Harajuku Project took to the streets and the Internet on March 14. At first, it was just Masuda and his staff posting photos and notices on Facebook and Twitter and handing out "Mighty Harajuku" badges in the street.
But, as people came back to the neighborhood and shops re-opened, businesses such as Tokyofashion.com, “FRUiTS” magazine, Faline Tokyo boutique and many others joined in.
Soon, the Internet was awash with young people sporting kawaii styles and "We Vow to Mighty Harajuku" pins.
Despite the mangled grammar, the message of the badges was clear -- Japan's youth aren't about to discard their colorful styles for dad's blue suit or mom's designer brands just because of March 11.