Tokyo Street Performance

   (59)
      
日本語/Japanese
Fri 2007/11/16 07:30
Click through to see what this means in English...
Even though theres a sign clearly stating that the "act of vending/performance is strictly prohibited," you'll still often see folks doing these "acts" in Shinjuku on Sundays when the streets are closed off to vehicles.
I've seen people selling baby rabbits, parading their pet monkey, and the occasional band.

The temporary ban on vehicles is known as Hokousha Tengoku as explained previously in this article (includes a nice pair of eyes).
I plan to do the next dance in Shinjuku and was thinking of ideas until reader Sean sent in the following video - I believe that its my destiny to do the dance that this woman is doing. Shes also doing it right in the same location as these photos.
The main theme of this article is actually this video and I thought I'd throw in the stormtrooper pics taken in Shinjuku for good measure ^^; Have a look - it could be the first time you've seen somebody "dance" like this ^^;
Might as well take a look at the rest of the photos taken.
My body starts to twitch when I don't wear armor for a while so I wear it to go shopping.
Was in Shinjuku looking for some pouches to stick on the armor.
I read in a few comments that quite a few of you are coming to Tokyo in December. Remember to drop me a line when you are over and maybe we'll go shooting the next video together ^^;
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Polls
windbell in Singapore/シンガポール, Tokyo/東京 (Registered on 2006/12/25 12:20)
Web Developer/ウェブデベロッパー, Photographer/写真や
That's some wacky dance!

I want to visit Tokyo again in December  again but can't get away from internship ORZ 
(ID #63735) Posted on 2007/11/16 07:33
JustaGuy in Singapore (Registered on 2007/11/10 01:40)
Student
Wow... talk about high on pills...
(ID #63736) Posted on 2007/11/16 07:35
D_Blade in Montreal (Registered on 2006/12/31 22:48)
Non-profit org. volunteering work addict
Ah well, you know, laws, signs filled with typos... Sometimes you have the right to fear them, sometimes you can ignore them and face the possible consequences in the worst cases...

As long as you don't get caught, go crazy! ;)

As for that woman... I guess it's a woman? (You messed up our minds big time with all those cross-dressing pics...!) Don't laugh, I instinctively feel she is practicing her katas, with a style not unlike Voldo from Soul Calibur.

Good to see you with the ol' good Stormtrooper suit otherwise.
(ID #63737) Posted on 2007/11/16 07:35
iMM in Kaohsiung, Taiwan (Registered on 2007/07/08 14:32)
Publisher
unusual....that is a unique style of "dancing"...as long as she is having fun good for her....Guess it already gave her a worldwide exposure
(ID #63739) Posted on 2007/11/16 08:09
chun in confusion :P (Registered on 2007/01/09 14:33)
part time illustrationist, doll clothing seamstress
oh boy :P that woman's quite scary actually o_o! Danny if you "dance" like she does you may end up with a very scratched up armor! *L*
(ID #63740) Posted on 2007/11/16 08:16
Rokku in S,pore (Registered on 2007/11/11 13:00)
Student
Stasion?
(ID #63741) Posted on 2007/11/16 08:49
lanie-emon in Keldabe, Malaysia (Registered on 2007/06/05 11:28)
Mandalorian in training + Otaku...
Uh, fair enough ^^.
(ID #63742) Posted on 2007/11/16 08:54
FatBastard in troverted extrovert (Registered on 2007/11/04 18:16)
Pieman
Errr... you're gonna bust up your white armor pullin those moves. Unless you get some boba fett armor then you can scratch it all you want. Better yet, get one of the people visiting you in Dec to wear boba fett armor and dance around crazy. That'll be a one of a kind Japan memory.
(ID #63743) Posted on 2007/11/16 08:58
Triplekia (Registered on 2007/08/22 13:35)
Student
heh, she can dance along with this dude http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htPYlSeWEGU and perhaps using these guys as background music http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QAMyQdBWhUw then we have a heavy metal group.
(ID #63745) Posted on 2007/11/16 09:03
Kiy in Warsaw, Poland (Registered on 2007/11/15 06:44)
Student, Translator
Either a seizure or demonic possesion. Do I really have to call for an exorcist? 

Actually I kinda like spontanious acts, I bet she would have bigger audience if she had panties on. 
(ID #63746) Posted on 2007/11/16 09:04
quackie in Brisbane (Registered on 2007/08/29 22:39)
Student
w00t

Tokyo Jihen's Shuraba is t3h r0x0r!
(ID #63747) Posted on 2007/11/16 09:15
10116222 in QC, Manila, Philippines (Registered on 2007/01/28 21:37)
Not sure anymore
She knows what she's doing but watching her gave me a headache.
(ID #63748) Posted on 2007/11/16 09:19
Triplekia (Registered on 2007/08/22 13:35)
Student
edit: forgot to add this guy to the group~ http://youtube.com/watch?v=THBiP7E4MXc
(ID #63749) Posted on 2007/11/16 09:20
marvin (Registered on 2006/12/24 23:42)
don't mind the armour, you're gonna bust up some joints, ligaments as well as some brain cells dancing like that. ^^; wonder nobody called the cops, sometimes it looks as if she's possesed or something. *evil lol*
(ID #63751) Posted on 2007/11/16 09:49
Henry in /usr/bin/ (Registered on 2006/12/25 19:17)
anime/cosplay events organizer
that experimental dance is unique and it borders to making to look like a seizure...

it's either a dance or a seizure attack lolz
(ID #63753) Posted on 2007/11/16 10:13
Dead Snake in SG (Registered on 2007/05/12 03:11)
Internship student
yo danny...

I'm not sure about doing that dance in that storm trooper outfit of yours...just don't get hurt ^^;
(ID #63757) Posted on 2007/11/16 10:29
Setsuna-san in Selangor, Malaysia (Registered on 2007/07/06 10:07)
VF-25 Pilot. Universariate Scholar.
Danny, in the last post you said that drugs were expensive in japan. so, how did this woman get so high??
anyways, i think you should not try that, you will most likely break yourself and this blog will be over.
but well, its up to you.
(ID #63759) Posted on 2007/11/16 10:51
kakit in Toronto, Canada (Registered on 2007/04/24 07:45)
Student
Aside from people playing guitar or something in the subway, there aren't many street performances here.
(ID #63760) Posted on 2007/11/16 10:54
*shrug* in Osaka-fu
Oh hey, I might be coming to Tokyo around New Year's. Any chance you'd have a place for a ダサいアメリカ人 amongst your burgeoning dance troupe?
(ID #63762) Posted on 2007/11/16 11:32
Reikai in Roppongi, Tokyo, Japan (Registered on 2007/02/04 11:33)
Student
Well next time I'm back in Tokyo... (like Christmas time when I get back from Uni) I'll definitely join you...

but like... seriously..?
watch some of Poppin Hyun Joon, and try to pull that off... would definitely look cool popping in a stormtrooper outfit...

That... or of course, Shuffle :P
(ID #63764) Posted on 2007/11/16 11:57
Tempest in New Zealand (Registered on 2007/11/07 06:56)
Exchange Student
Well, maybe she's getting rid of aggressions this way(?), either that or she's simply on drugs but she definitely has some guts to do this.

And Reikais idea of shuffling in armor is great xD
(ID #63765) Posted on 2007/11/16 12:18
ひまななし
もういい歳なんだから、人目を引く為の
子供っぽいパフォーマンスはやめて、
落ちつきなさい。
(ID #63766) Posted on 2007/11/16 12:23
Ninja Mari in Japan (Registered on 2007/11/06 11:10)
Japanese Student
Weird woman... was she trying to clean the ground? 

Can't wait for the next Storm Trooper dance video! I'd love to see it live. 
(ID #63767) Posted on 2007/11/16 12:41
Mr.Boy in Graceland (Registered on 2006/12/31 20:26)
Simulation
We have a place for people like that here in the U.S., it is called Rehab!
(ID #63768) Posted on 2007/11/16 13:30
Exile in USA (Registered on 2007/10/20 06:31)
Designer/Student
Sakari in Tokyo (Registered on 2007/06/20 01:24)
Student
Hmm, I hope my exchange program sends me off to Tokyo, that would give me 10 months time to meet you danny ^^
(ID #63770) Posted on 2007/11/16 14:13
gordon in 新加坡 Singapore (Registered on 2007/06/11 14:57)
宅男 Otaku/ 工程师 Engineer
i'll love to see danny do the upside down legs splitting part. ('~')
(ID #63771) Posted on 2007/11/16 14:13
skankywonders in California (Registered on 2007/08/09 05:36)
Student
Yeah! I'd probably panic alittle if I saw a stormtrooper on the street, a.k.a. DANNY CHOO! *melts*
(ID #63772) Posted on 2007/11/16 14:25
XSportSeeker in Brazil (Registered on 2007/08/22 05:30)
Hikikomori
Here where I live, what that lady is doing there isn´t called "dancing"... it´s called demonic possession.

o_O

I´d probably have a heart attack from laughing too much if Danny did that stormtrooper mode though.

Well, in my city we don´t have street performers. I think the city isn´t big enough for that... we do have poor street kids and hippies doing acrobatic stuff on traffic signals though.

But in bigger cities here in Brazil I´ve seen lots of them.
(ID #63773) Posted on 2007/11/16 14:55
Orz in USA (Registered on 2007/11/15 23:12)
Programmer
Hey Danny, long time reader, first time blog comment poster.  I read above that you might be able to meet some of your fans.  Though I won't be coming in December, I will be coming in early January.  Any chance I can shake hands with one of the internet's biggest otakus in Akihabara?
(ID #63774) Posted on 2007/11/16 15:11
davortech in Europe (Registered on 2007/11/09 00:43)
N/A
Great photos Danny. I love the sign. Chief of the police stasion :P
(ID #63776) Posted on 2007/11/16 15:41
Jam Tea in 丸の内, 東京 (Registered on 2007/11/11 00:55)
Bartender
I wouldn't mind seeing the Tokyo Dance Trooper some time :) Let us know when you are next doing it and I'll try to be free to see it!
(ID #63778) Posted on 2007/11/16 16:22
McNally in Oxford, Mississippi, USA (Registered on 2007/08/28 10:38)
College student and soldier
I'm still not convinced that she wasn't having some kind of seizure.
(ID #63779) Posted on 2007/11/16 17:23
McKlain in Spain (Registered on 2007/05/11 17:10)
Web Designer
I think that she is possessed...
(ID #63780) Posted on 2007/11/16 17:33
Sauronu in Bulgaria (Registered on 2007/01/15 23:39)
Programmer
She finally managed to get some canabis :) sooooo high :D
(ID #63781) Posted on 2007/11/16 18:14
21st Century Digital Boy in Virginia Beach (Registered on 2007/09/20 03:53)
Otaku
you know, the first 10-15 secs of that video just looked like ne at a metal concert XD Really, though, that chick was t-rippin. 
Boris in USA (Registered on 2006/12/26 00:12)
Interactive Media Design and Graphic Design
most that i see here are by metro stations. Its legal to do a performance by an entrance to metro station. I think they might still need to get permission because at one time there is only one performer there. Mostly they play music and there is one guy that plays this traditional Chinese instrument so beautifully. Mostly its by metro station in Washington DC and Arlington. Some sing, but mostly its music and very good one too. I think they should be at all metro stations. Its nice to leave metro and be greeted by some music.
(ID #63783) Posted on 2007/11/16 18:35
Ido in Laval, Canada (Registered on 2007/11/07 12:54)
student
this wins even more than the full video of that dancing woman, http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=jvjtsy3FTg4
(ID #63784) Posted on 2007/11/16 18:49
howie huang in Toronto, Ontario (Registered on 2007/07/22 02:27)
Student
oh my god that dance is pure twitching and some sort of down syndrome.....
(ID #63787) Posted on 2007/11/16 20:15
0shift in New Zealand (Registered on 2007/08/13 19:40)
Student
Only shopping district where there is a lot of people traffic. On the most they are musical type.
(ID #63792) Posted on 2007/11/16 22:24
Ryori no tetsujin in US (Registered on 2007/09/05 07:23)
Software Support
Why they don't like people to performance in Tokyo Streets? They don't want people to gather around and block the street?
Hey Danny, did you ever get stopped by the police or get "talked to" when you wear the Stomtropper suit and walk around public places?
(ID #63808) Posted on 2007/11/16 23:49
syrix in U.S. (Registered on 2007/03/21 09:30)
student
Lol, crazy girl ^^.
(ID #63814) Posted on 2007/11/17 00:20
nivexus in Melbourne, Australia (Registered on 2007/10/08 21:25)
Student & Accountant
omg is she ok? That looks like a terrible seizure. Why aren't ppl helping her?
(ID #63821) Posted on 2007/11/17 01:10
lostandfound in a place where you'll never find... (Registered on 2007/10/22 02:10)
Part human, part student, 100% loser
LOL, it's a good thing I don't know her and she doesn't know me...
(ID #63827) Posted on 2007/11/17 01:47
CyruzDraxs in Kelowna, BC, Canada (Registered on 2007/09/11 09:43)
Web Design & Development
It looks more like she's wigged out on crack. lol

I saw some hooker doing that in Vancouver once, but then she smashed her face into a tree and was knocked unconscious.
(ID #63833) Posted on 2007/11/17 02:25
Deathy in Brazil (Registered on 2007/04/20 07:26)
Looks like she got injected with the drug from Higurashi...scary. 

But good thing that at least Tokyo Jihen was playing as background music, she have good taste in music.
(ID #63861) Posted on 2007/11/17 12:08
hendrik in jakarta,indonesia (Registered on 2007/06/01 04:39)
student
i prefer your stormtrooper dance than that girl dance.
the girl kinda look drugged, or whatever to me, either to crazy or she got something wrong with her.

though this girl dance is crazier(not cool, crazy) than your dance. i prefer something normal, got to keep your sanity
(ID #63944) Posted on 2007/11/18 05:23
Danny Choo in Tokyo (Registered on 2006/12/11 11:06)
Director/代表取締役
Ryori no tetsujin,
They usually ask "are you off to some event"
I usually say "yes" ^^;

Orz,
Send me mail - mail is in my profile page ^^

ひまななし,
は〜い!

*shrug*,
Let me know when you are in town.
(ID #63964) Posted on 2007/11/18 10:38
notfair in Malaysia (Registered on 2007/08/14 16:34)
Student, ACG Fans
erm, maybe i ask something, is she doing some praying @.@" ..
(ID #63981) Posted on 2007/11/18 11:57
Joshua in singapore (Registered on 2007/08/26 11:41)
student
Oh ... don't do that( like the video)  ... you would look crazy
(ID #64002) Posted on 2007/11/18 13:50
JapanAnime in Hilversum, Holland (Registered on 2007/08/05 18:23)
Student Business Economics
You call that dancing? To me that's more hanging out the lunatic on the street with no shoes. To prevent you from doing something you'll regret (you will, mark my holy words =P) I say...Don't do this "dance" for the sake of you, your wife, your future childrens, everyone! XD
(ID #64019) Posted on 2007/11/18 16:07
hk in Philippines
Ey man, I'm going to Japan Nov. 18-30.  Will mostly be working but I'd like to catch your "performance" if you will be storm trooper dancing that period.  I'm staying in Shinjuku and plan to use the following dates going around:

23: Akihabara
24: Ropponggi
25: Harujuku

I've been to Akihabara before and sadly it was raining so there wasn't much of the cosplayers.  I'm planning Harujuku on Sunday since I've heard that's the time when mostly the fashion people are there on Yoyogi park.  Any tips on where to go on these places?
(ID #64024) Posted on 2007/11/18 16:48
amaya in US (Registered on 2007/11/11 14:09)
I think I saw her audition on So You Think You Can Dance.

D_Blade: I instinctively feel she is practicing her katas, with a style not unlike Voldo from Soul Calibur

LOL, Well thank the great green Arkleseizure there was no matching Voldo cosplay included in this "performance".
(ID #64077) Posted on 2007/11/19 05:01
D_Blade in Montreal (Registered on 2006/12/31 22:48)
Non-profit org. volunteering work addict
Well amaya, if that ever was the case ("!" MGS style), be sure she would have "Gone to jail without getting $200". ^^;
(ID #64163) Posted on 2007/11/20 00:17
Brandon in Tokyo
Hi, I'm actually studying in Tokyo now and would love to hear about your next recording session(er, whatever it's called) ^^ 
(ID #64853) Posted on 2007/11/24 17:16
justlazy in usa (Registered on 2008/04/16 11:14)
artist
I was thinking what if strong machine2 wore a storm trooper outfit and started doing her dance like Danny.
(ID #171251) Posted on 2008/04/16 11:20
GTR in Minnesota, United States (Registered on 2008/02/29 17:04)
Oh wow, she look like she's high. Kinda reminds me when I was drunk this one time, O_o .
(ID #179694) Posted on 2008/05/02 17:38
ryangmalupet in Philippines (Registered on 2008/06/10 17:50)
Graphic Artist
cool
(ID #233005) Posted on 2008/07/08 14:15
cscentrl (Registered on 2008/06/26 14:30)
Question: is it OK to give money for street performers in Japan? They do it all the time in America. Will we be violating any laws if we feel a street performer has done well and give him/her money as gratitutde for the performance. Speaking of which Danny, have you ever been given money while performing in your trooper outfit?
(ID #309003) Posted on 2008/09/21 22:56
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I can see that I'm going to have fun