This evening I browsed the erotica section at Artland Books and got lucky with two German published titles and an intriguing Japanese published title. “Erotic Websites 100% Loaded” is a 697-page compilation of erotic themed websites including over 900 images and an index of URL’s. “Erotica Universalis Volume II” is a 765-page history of erotic literature. I find it curious that the cover illustrations of the books I purchased were less explicit than (what I presume to be) the original artwork that appears on the publisher’s websites. Perhaps this was a small concession to allow the books to be sold.
The Japanese title “Cosplay 100: Baroque & Lolita” promises to be an informative read. I am looking forward to reading this book because it’s always been somewhat of a mystery to me why some Korean, Japanese and apparently Taiwanese youngsters get such a big thrill out of costume play. I am familiar with sexual play that may encompass fetish and fantasy gear and all that, but I haven’t quite figured out the preoccupation with dressing up like manga/anime characters and “Hello Kitty”–though from the book cover photographs these subjects do not appear to be trying to project “cute,” “innocent,” or “cuddly”.
During my visit to Taipei last year my curiosity was piqued when I encountered a group of women in the burrows of Shilin Night Market all decked out in their stilettos, thigh high hose, immaculate make up, and fierce sensual attitude for days. In a word, these women were HOT! I wasn’t sure if they were “pros” or just sexually confident women shopping for fetish gear and accessories in a section of the market I stumbled upon.
Shinlin market is a bustling sprawling market with vendors selling all manner of clothes, food, toys, household items and what not. I don’t even try to approach it in any organized fashion because many of the narrow side streets are unmarked and there are literally hundreds of vendors. All I can hope for is to find the type of vendors grouped by merchandise in a particular section. Saturday evening I will go in search of the Lolita and schoolgirl fetish gear merchants and hope to see the gurls. Prior to heading over to the market I will attempt to locate the lesbian bar The Jailhouse.
When I return to the states I will share my photographs and impressions of “Homo Hill” in Seoul and offer my impressions of what it’s like to be received as an African American woman in these cities.
Upcoming up in April: Spain & Portugal
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