Neighborhood Nazis…??
Japan’s so-called hottest brand Neighborhood got me thinking while visiting their flagship store in Harajuku. What I found made me feel really uncomfortable: swastika-festooned (aka “Hakenkreuz”) knives, a real-life size porcelain head of Adolf Hitler, SS signs (SS = “Schutzstaffel”, Hitler’s executing army during World War 2) integrated into their collection etc. Too bad that I obviously wasn’t allowed to take any pictures. I’ve never experienced such a feeling before when entering a store willing to buy something. All of a sudden, I did not only feel uncomfortable, but somehow felt offended.
Maybe it’s because I’m German, but I think us Europeans in general were brought up with a whole different comprehension of what happened in the past during WW2. We were taught in school how horrible this period was and they almost made us feel ashamed of being German, even though our generation didn’t have anything to do with it. Over here, it definitely would be IMPOSSIBLE to display and glorify Nazi signs like that and I’m very thankful for that. Let’s not forget that an estimated 6 million Jewish were killed during WW2 and another estimated 50 million people lost their lives and there’s definitely no reason to “celebrate” this dark period in history.
It’s another thing to be inspired and fascinated by the designs of the SS uniforms, we have seen that in many other collections before, but why using swastikas? Why glorifying Adolf Hitler as a person? Why using typical Nazi signs that are strongly affiliated to WW2? Doesn’t make any sense to me.
I’m pretty sure that Japanese people must not have the same education, perception and feeling about the Nazi era as we have here in Europe, so I could understand the obsession with Nazi symbols. However, I assume that Mr. Shinsuke Takizawa & Mr. Tetsu Nishiyama have had a proper education and know what WW2 was all about and how horrible and terrifying the things were that happened during that time. Therefore, they should have a certain responsibility to their customers, because what I experienced at the 15th anniversary Neighborhood party, were young Japanese kids following the Neighborhood’s Nazi hype without any understanding what they are doing or wearing.
That night I found this kid wearing this T-Shit (which is NOT a Neighborhood shirt):
On the back of the shirt it said:
1937 – Denmark
1938 – France
1939 – Poland
etc.
After asking him what he’s wearing there and if he knows what the Nazi era was all about, he couldn’t really say anything and just kept apologizing and said that it is a fashion trend in Tokyo.
I think as a designer/brand owner you have a certain responsibility to what you produce and put out there in the market. Of course, maybe the whole collection is just for the Japanese market and not for us Europeans, but still messing around with such a sensitive subject has nothing to do any more with provoking other people, but is plain dumb and brainless.
I say: THIS IS NOT OK.
Again, this is only my personal opinion. Would love to hear and learn what others say about this topic…
“…is plain dumb and brainless.” that’s what it is, full stop. and it’s not ok, absolutely not ok, how would they feel if we¿d make hip shirt about iwo jima ? not cool and i also felt offended in more than one way when i was in the store a couple of weeks back. i also hate it when they put it like that: we are only playing with these images….yeah right…
I was speaking with Erman of adidas who as many of you know work together with NBHD.
In addressing certain aspects, the swastika’s are largely derived from American motor-culture a la Jesse James while the porcelain Hitler head in the NBHD Harajuku store is a piece of art created by a European artist which is meant to combine something of alleged beauty with something truly horrific.
I’m not arguing one way or the other, just letting you know some of the contextual background behind their imagery and icons.
@ eugene….strange but interesting justification, which makes little sense to me since the contextual backgroud just happens to be completely identical to hitler’s (who was also a very talented artist by the way). however to get the facts straight the swastika is a typical hindi symbol with a beautiful meaning and to the majority of humans known in an entirely positive context:) !!!!
it is a disgrace to estrange and abuse profound symbols for a terrible cause and for a brand to replicate that context is pretty uninventive…so NOT fly:)!
http://www.smh.com.au/ffximage/2007/09/25/swastika_lead_wideweb__470×289,0.jpg
I didn’t speak with anyone, I don’t know any brand strategies, but I don’t see any cool reason to drop this kind of shit. I know, in the last 10 years circa, designers creativity is overloaded as the market, but, in my personal opinion, I’m totally in accord with phil when he says that designer/brand owner have a certain responsibility ..especially when your are such a big brand and your customers are (also) young kinds born in the 90’s.
I dont know…Maybe because I’m Italian as Phil is German… and we care more than others about it… but I think it’s not a good choice at all.
Phil, I totally agree with you, “THIS IS NOT OKAY.”.
I liked Neighborhood for a while now, and as the most will know, japanese Brand like to play with those camo-patters, best example is Bape, who put their apes in it, or Wtaps who transformed camo stuff. But things like that must not happen, in any collection anywhere in this world.
I’m really disappointed in Neighborhood now, I hope they’ll get bad feedback on this collection and find the way back to their roots and not trying to play with designs like this.
I’m with you! That’s just wrong. No matter what brand, country, culture or whatever.
“NOT OKAY!!”
I think people are attracted to nazi imagery in the same way their attracted to devil imagery, its horrible but also extremely powerful. I agree that it could be disturbing especially due to the way the German government handles its WWII history. You have to remember though, that fashion is art, and like all art, its meant to evoke a feeling or reaction from people. I personally would never wear anything with blantant nazi imagery, but im sure they are not nazi supporters, its just natural to want to adopt and transform symbols like that. Also 56 million people died in WWII and it started in 1939, important to get the facts straight when making an argument like this. Love the blog cus, its the only one on any of these sites i check, pce.
not cool at all. seen your post on FB and your polaroid makes me firm in my belief. maybe it’s because we’re more emotionally attached, but still taking it out of context doesn’t justify doing it. comparing it to devil symbols is also out of space – WW2 and human anihilation is a FACT and 666 is more of an emotional sphere, than actual reality. Considering the NGBHD’s symbolic, I find it very disturbing Adidas (german brand) making the capsule collection with them – just gives more fire to the conspiracy theorists (supposedly Adi Dassler was supporter of NSDAP). I think personally it’s just a form of being a rebel, like Che Guevara tees were for American teens back in the days. Generation born in 90’s n Japan has no emotional attachment to the WW2 era, though they’re probably the highest educated kids in their age group, so they should know better. I don’t believe that japanese brands do support nazi movements, they use symbols associated with something that is against the establishment, taboo etc. The similar symbolic was used in american biker culture (many of them were balatantly racist, so it would make sense) or even the begging of punk culture (sex pistols used some symbols). Either was there are some boundaries and saying IT’S NOT OK is an understatement. I would never support that kind of brand, eventhough some of their pieces are really nice. Hope they release an official statement or at least recall that garbage – besides wack design on that tee above, the message it sends is purelly tasteless, shamefull and extremely offensive.
I completely understand what you were feeling when you came across those symbols. I am of Cuban decent, born in the United States after my family fled the communist regieme that has destoyed one of the most beautiful places on Earth with their backwards policies and disregard for human life. Another “fashion” trend here in the U.S. over the last few years has been clothing with the image of Ernesto Che Guevara. Many people view Che as a freedom fighter who overthrough a dictator alongside Fidel Castro (Cuba’s version of Hitler, by the way), and while this is true, he was also responsible for the execution style killing of hundreds of Cuban citizens. In my opinion the main reason for these unspeakale fashion statements is a lack of education amongst the masses who simply are “following a trend”. While it is sad, ignorance is part of the human condition only through educating people on certain topics can we hope to enlighten individuels and perhaps put an end to senseless trends such as the one you witnessed.
another bad example : http://www.theweeklydope.com/2009/11/crooks-castles-holiday09-beanies.html
I hope it is not a trend… I do believe that there is more inspiring and powerfull theme before that…
That’s why culture and history are so important
Products and signs do mean something
Otherwise it is just cool shape, nice silhouette and bright colors u like or dislike
We love streetculture for every story behind every details and designs
Once again, dont believe the hype!
Hey Phil,
true that……
see you soon in Berlin. Gee
My question is: Can a brand hold such power over their following that they have the ability to stray them away from their own core beliefs? If yes, then that’s a scary thought to ponder.
But then again, what is Neighborhood trying to say? Is there a message that they are trying to get across? If not, then it is quite irresponsible to carelessly throw these symbols and imagery around so freely.
Another point we have to keep in mind is that Japanese textbooks have notoriously been known to “whitewash” their own dark past. In some cases, blatantly removing segments of shameful times in their history. So, in this case do we blame the education system on their naivety?
At the end of the day, I agree with Phil on this issue. The work is not provocative. It is just deeply offensive. Especially since Japan was part of the Axis powers and in leagues with Germany during WWII.
In terms of educating consumers, I don’t think designers have the responsibility to educate people on what is ethical and what is not..or even HOW to think. Fashion is ultimately a form of communication and designers are voicing their beliefs. Thinking through their designs. What designers are responsible for, however, is to understand the impact they have on society with their work.
I am german and feel the same as my boy Phil.
Regardless how you have been educted IT IS NOT OKAY to make it to your main theme.
Izzue from HK did it once and got pulled to the court for it!
Thats whats up!
Fuck Hitler and co.
Shocking, can’t wait for : Nike x Solebox Air Max 1 – Nagasaki/Hiroshima Pack…
Thanks for all the feedback… definitely good to know some more opinions, statements and facts!
In the end as you can read NGHBD’s use of iconic Nazi symbols is more than offensive to a lot of people around the globe and sometimes it’s just good to question certain things/trends/hypes.
@cweak: Hell yeah! How those this go together with adidas?? This almost could be big newspaper news over here in Germany!
Thank you for your honest writing, Phil.
Everyone with a certain level of education will get a really bad feeling about that crap.
I’m german and I have to admit that I love the german design of the NS era.
How precise and well thought-out everything was they did, man! It’s still impressive.
But let’s face reality.
WWII asked millions of humans, animals and homes and still there are millions who suffer from that.
Instead of releasing a crappy shirt design like the one seen above it would have been a pleasure seeing talented designers from Japan translating german design into sth, new.
FAIL !
This is DISGUSTING !!
Yes, it boils down to education, and opinions, there is NO excuse for this. I dont care what the reasoning might be behind the brands use of this Nazi iconography. The Japanese were allies with Nazi Germany, and committed enough atrocities of their own….. i would have thought that EVERYONE there would prefer NOT to talk about what happened in WW2 !!
Hi.
Erbärmlich ist der Versuch (beispielhaft in Beitrag #7 von jaws) die plumpe kommerzielle Nutzung von NS-Symbolen zur Kunst zu verklären.
NBHD, setzten, 6.
Greetz
Social comments and analytics for this post…
This post was mentioned on Twitter by MislaT: RT @Philly_Vanilli Neighborhood Nazis http://bit.ly/3HCE2X -good one buddy. remember talkin about this issue with david before, so shocking….
So NOT OK. I will make as many people as possible aware of this, thanks for the insight. Very neccessary post & statement. Fuk Dat!
Serious I saw them using the swastika in a lookbook a couple of months ago, and I really thought it was bad, but they where explaining the true meaning of the swastika and everything else in a story beneath the lookbook. What I didn’t know that they glorify A.H. and that they got t-shirts like that, that’s just reallllllllllllllllllllllllll stupid. Also the crooks & castles logo is not good, why want to use that? Glorifying the people who killed millions of innocent people..
Maybe it is the education, but its the same as we here in europe are going to wear some Nanjing t-shirts with some text and pictures on it…or let’s just all wear some hiroshima tees..nice.
Dank, das endlich mal jemand offiziell was zu dem SCHEISS sagt!
Es mag sein, das die Symbolik in asien eine Andere ist, aber darauf kann man sich hier wohl kaum berufen!
That shit is not cool/trendy/creativ in any way! The owner should have known the consequences of this collection. How stupid do you have to be to ignore the KZ and the truly brutal murdering by the nazis. Im German and i think the japanese are just ignorant and arrogant!
Phil-
Your piece is thought provoking and very much on point. We inherantly trust brands to somewhat represent us as consumers and supporters. In no way does this reflect the type of consumer I am, so obviously I will never even consider this brand a leader anymore. When do we draw the line of trying to make a statement, and just trying to make a sale? The Halocaust, and Hitler, should be buried with the rest of the events, and people, from our past that have hurt so many lives. I agree that there is a freedom of expression trend amongst our culture, and we need to respect that because we are a progressive society, but never should a brand violate the trust that their consumers have in the value of a brand, and this is a prime example.The US experience a terrible tragedy in 2001 on september 11th, and as a New Yorker, I felt betrayed when Blackscale, a brand I trusted and respected, released a shirt that provoked thought about the World Trade Center attacks. Although many of their consumers may be in California, I think its not fair for NYers to have to see that when they check their online look-book. The Holocaust took a lot more lives than did 9/11, but both are instances that make certain people really emotional and upset.
My main point is this, and many people will disagree with me and say ‘brands have the right to provoke thought and a freedom of expression is part of their reputation’ but there are just some ideas that the public prefers be left alone. And these are ideas and occurances that people have to suffer through, but it wasn’t the people producing the tee-shirts to make themselves a dollar.
–
Matthew
Yes this is sad. There is no way to justify this. There are still some survivors and that’s disrespectful to them and anyone else who would’ve been a subject of the ignorance during the time. Its too serious of a situation to make light of, hell what’s next slavery?
Just to clarify: The shirt seen above is NOT a Neighborhood shirt, but it was seen a the 15th anniversary Neighborhood party.
i’m an educated black dude and i think Hitler is the lowest form of human being to exist, but i’m sorry, i think this tee is really dope.
WW2 was a dark, but incredible period in history. taking over an entire continent and controlling the minds of an entire population is no small feat and there’s some type of perverse admiration for that level of power.
turning the Third Reich’s conquest into a tongue-in-cheek concert t-shirt is pretty creative in my opinion. with that said, i don’t think the tee should have been made. it’s completely insensitive and inappropriate and disrespectful to the millions of lives terminated as a result of Hitler’s evil.
i get where Neighborhood is coming from though and I wish other people would before they decide to boycott the brand. ahhhh, maybe not. i probably wouldn’t fuck with a brand that turned slavery into a mockery, creative or not.
my two cents. peace.
its essential to take a stand!
I think it’s important to know where The NBHD chaps stand on this, are they influenced directly by the far right or by the appropriation of that vile imagery for it’s shock value by post world war biker clubs and Mclarren/Westwood circa 77. Whilst I think the usage of such imagery is absolutely deplorable the general shit state of streetwear these days is bound to make some push the boundaries.
That said Japan has a nationalistic and imperialistic undercurrent that leaves a bad taste in ones mouth, I would be keen to know if subjects such as the holocaust are even addressed high schools etc.
Too soon? lol
i usually dont post but…
Phil i’m with you. one thing about japan, if u spend any time there you are bound to see a lot of wack shit, weird english, fucked up french, all sorts of ish that makes no sense…u see it on a daily. 98% of the Jp public has no idea on the meaning of any of it. I remember a few years ago, with a German friend of mine, he was so surprised because of all the German themed apparel, air force jackets and so on, i remember him sayin it would be impossible to pull any of it off in Germany…
anyway, i cant express myself well, but my point i guess is that this falls on the designer 99%. they actively sought the info/images and put it together in the form of a graphic tee, and passed it to the consumer with the intent to make money. i thinks its safe to say most ppl in jp buyin this shit have no idea, but trying to profit like this off the suffering of others…WRONG.
Phil,
I applaud you for bringing this to our collective attention in such a well articulated way. We all know, sadly, nothing in this world is sacred. For example, just last week the intro to this shitty US mini-series “V” had the audacity to call out 9/11 in setting the stage for their make-believe aliens coming into contact with earth. It’s just poor taste. I’m sure arguments could be formed for why the use of this imagery by Neighborhood is provocative and avant-garde, and ironically some of those arguments might be accepted if this stuff was found in a gallery setting rather than a street wear one. But the point is, this shit is definitely NOT OKAY for cool-guy japanese guys (or anyone for that matter) to be running around to parties in while major populations of our world are still very much dealing with the historical implications of WWII. Letting shit like this slide only leads to a greater global ignorance and an opportunity for a total obscuration of history. Fuck.
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Sad and ignorant… There’s no justification for this, and I hope people get in NBHDs face for it. Fuck their esteemed place in the industry.
No matter what the symbol really means, you can’t have it in the same room as an Adolph sculpture and think it will fly. Fascism exists in this world, and I hate the bullshit that young people in Mexico, Italy, and other countries use to justify it.
I think the T-Shirt seen above is a way to direct for the NBHD-lines, but it’s still shocking me, are there more brands in Japan producing this kinda s***? As NBHD say on their website their lines are inspired by the designer’s interests for the military so the swastika has a clear message and has really nothing to do with traditional indian stuff or whatever. But’s it’s really weird, I saw a varsity jacket with Goofy on it, smashing a swastika. This is really making me nuts.
Phil,
I applaud you for bringing this to our collective attention in such a well articulated way. We all know, sadly, nothing in this world is sacred. For example, just last week the intro to this shitty US mini-series “V” had the audacity to call out 9/11 in setting the stage for their make-believe aliens coming into contact with earth. It’s just poor taste. I’m sure arguments could be formed for why the use of this imagery by Neighborhood is provocative and avant-garde, and ironically some of those arguments might be accepted if this stuff was found in a gallery setting rather than a street wear one. But the point is, this shit is definitely NOT OKAY for cool-guy japanese guys (or anyone for that matter) to be running around to parties in while major populations of our world are still very much dealing with the historical implications of WWII. Letting shit like this slide only leads to a greater global ignorance and an opportunity for a total obscuration of history. Fuck.
Phil,
i think it is only fair to make it clear that the shirt pictured is not a nbhd shirt, because as far as i know neighborhood never produced this shirt.
the store phil means can be seen in the mos def japan tour documentary posted few weeks back..
I believe the items you speak of inside NH Harajuku (from memory) are the AK47, grenade, and the infamous Hitler teapot by artist Charles Krafft – the “Disasterware” series. I asked about this as well when I saw the items a couple years ago.
http://www.trendhunter.com/trends/porcelain-art-charles-kraffts-disasterware
“I haven’t ever seen war and weapons look as dainty as Charles Krafft’s Disasterware art pieces.
The Seattle-based artist utilized the traditional art of Delftware (a form of blue and white painted pottery originating in Netherlands) to beautify warfare and other man-made catastrophes.
His “Artists Rifles Requiem” exhibits a torpedo, war museum plaque, funeral urn, uzis, grenade, machine gun, torpedo, biological warfare cannisters and the much talked-about “Hitler teapot”.
It’s interesting how he was able to subdue the strong concept of violence using traditional pottery, calligraphy and floral elements.
Charles Krafft’s exhibit is currently in London’s Stolen Space.”
and you might like this quote, taken from http://www.artsjournal.com/anotherbb/2009/06/charles-krafft—the-private-m.html
“To a Nazi-loving skinhead who told the artist he was his hero, Krafft replied, I can’t imagine why. I’m making fun of you people. ”
I’m sure there are more issues going on here and I don’t feel qualified to comment, but at least this may shed some light on your first reactions to the items inside the NH store Phil, and I’ve had the chance to meet a few people from NH, and I can assure you they are far from Nazi, if that has any merit.
I do think that there is somewhat of a misunderstanding that people think the teeshirt in the polaroid is a NH item which seems to be causing a bit of misinformation (http://thecommissionblog.wordpress.com/2009/11/08/neighborhood-nazis/). I see that you put up a disclaimer, but I think you might need to word it a little clearer in your post, just a thought.
yea man this is totally not okay; this is offensive to sooo many people. Swastikas are a symbol of good luck in Hindi culture, not japanese. There would be insanse outrage if this was realease massively in other countries. This just shows how important it is to be cuturally sensitive and learn about other histories than our own.
First of all, i think it’s a bit dangerous to use the above polaroid to illustrate your thoughts on NBHD since they never produced such a tee shirt. I agree that it can be offensive for european minds to see a brand flirting with Nazi imagery.
I’m a big fan of Neighborhood and the people behind the label and i trully respect their work and sense of aesthetic. There is nothing ideologic behind NBHD designs and since the brand is inspired by Hells Angels and 50’s American bike culture it makes sense in a way for them to be bold, provocative and misunderstood by the mass. Mission Accomplished.
I’m European (French) myself and i don’t feel offended by any of the art work that can be seen at the NBHD store.
What bother me in the other hand are some of the comments above openly racist and disrespectful toward the japanese people. Again i understand it’s a sensitive matter but hating on japanese “IT’S NOT OKAY”..hehe
To conclude, i would like to ask the people who comment on this post to give me their opinion on Hugo Boss…a legit euro brand with a rather interesting past.
( can’t wait for a Hugo Boss X NBHD colab) that would be interesting.
I totally co-sign Tim. Phillo you really have chosen the right words to describe this whole scenario.
In my opinion there’s nothing cool nor trendy about these symbols and they definitely do not deserve a “comeback”!
It’s important to talk about stuff like this because that’s the only way to spread knowledge and don’t let, in this case brands (media can be evil too), make people believe that certain things are okay when they are NOT.
I don’t want to judge anybody but what in the world makes you think it’s cool to wear such a macabre shirt, like the one shown above, just because it’s a fashion trend!?
Frank,
thank you for the info. Definitely puts another spotlight on it. From the art point of view, everything is explainable since in art there are so often no boundaries.
I definitely don’t think that any of the NH crew are “Nazis”, this would be totally wrong, senseless and also very offensice, but I just had to describe this feeling and my personal experience when entering the NH store in Harajuku and want to express that it is a very sensitive subject to provoke with and that it can be very offensive to a lot of people around the globe.
Again, I never wrote that the above pictured Shirt is a NH shirt, but one should not forget that “trends” like that are being started by famous brands like NH and being copied by others, who obviously don’t understand the initial message of NH and take it to a whole other context.
And that, in my eyes, can be dangerous.
Even if i disagree with most of the people who commented on this post, i have to give props to Phil for opening the debate.
Phil, again i understand your unconfortable feelings when entering the NBHD store and im glad you sharing your thoughts with us.
However, the picture illustrating your post and the title “Neighborhood Nazis” are too bold and doesnt leave any room for a proper debate.
NBHD is from my point of view one of the most well-thought-out brand out of Japan and i can assure you that they are far from being Nazi-lovers.
Cheers,
Thanks Jey!
This is just a healthy discussion. That’s what blogs are for. It’s good to learn more about this subject and hear other opinions and feelings.
Im amazed at how many people cant actually read here?
It is CLEARLY stated that that Tshirt is NOT made by NBHD.
Also, people should surely visit the NBHD store in Tokyo and have a look around before making any opinion about it.
as for people wearing this type of stuff, wouldnt it be much worse if they were wearing it because they believed it what it stood for rather than because its a fashion choice. The Japanese dont have the same understanding and knowledge of the Nazi version of the swastika that Europeans do, and why would they?
NBHD is not a Nazi company and anyone thinking that now because of this article is sadly mistaken
First of all (Mister Mallance,Areukidding?)Hitler was certainly not an excellent artist, as he missed fine-art school entry exams, and looking at the disastrous architectural context he left behind him.
It is scary to find this in Tokyo and to see some dumb-arses wearing that kind of tees,Indeed, I still believe we can find the same shit in Europe(where it’s probably made even, at least the Ideology itself was),
But it is dangerous to let the people believe in any way this prejudice that japanese people could be nazi people, it is definitly wrong, they where victims too, simply what I wanted to say It would be too easy and manichaean to believe so.
Still Sad and spooky thought..
I want to thank Phil for opening the discussion. I think his words are chosen overall carefully and there is a misunderstanding here in my opinion. Phil does not say that the people behind NBHD are in any way Nazis or pro-Nazi, rather he says that maybe such symbols have no room in fashion and that you have a responsibility as a designer to respect history and events that took place around the globe.
Of course the artist of the sculpture is not pro Nazi either, but who really understands his work when visiting the NBHD store for 15 minutes? Who understands the meaning behind some of NBHD’s clothing when somebody walks by in it on the street? Bottom line, lots of misunderstandings, but things that can be avoided. The question is whether or not it should be avoided?
Phil is not the first European coming back from Tokyo, having these feelings about the NBHD store and everybody I know that had these feelings is educated, open for the arts, somehwat interested in fashion, etc. If these people already take it offensive….. how will the igonorant take it.
Its great seeing this discussion, as we can all only learn from it. My opinion!
what will be next on shirts?
starving jews in concentration camps?
hope not!
im still searching the “blitzkrieg” shirt. does anybody know where i can get it?
here is a pic of the nice tee cup: http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii128/basel4000/DSC05898.jpg
i can imagine it is a little bit offensive for us europians
but i will never believe that NHBD corp likes nazi ideology
the japanese trend is a bit afwul though but i think NHBD does’nt get inspiration form nazi germany.
the crooks&castles logos are even worse and shows the lack of creativity these days.
This is the result of Japanese education system.
Our society create natural anarchist….
Unfortunately, Mr. Shinsuke Takizawa & Mr. Tetsu Nishiyama could not take proper education,
and, of course! 100% of their consumer in Japan are same.
and, of course! 100% of their business partners/Friends are same.
I believe there are NO “Artistic – conceptual” consideration behind. Just purely blindness of history and culture, manner…. Please dont combine.
Japanese creators (not all of them,, but many of them) are protected by physical distance and “poorness of their English communication”. They can not properly speak/read English, this fact makes them special and mysterious (and even cool and intelligence??)
and I am also Japanese.
I commented on the Jason Jesse collection for NBHD a while ago that incorporated Swasitkas in it and raised the flag back then yet nobody seemed to care that NBHD had done a collab with a known white power knucklehead and used a Swazi in the designs. Funny how people take not now cause this was over 6 months ago.
Funny also that people will embrace Jason Jesse who for all points and practices is a racist peckerwood of sorts who once publicly called Peanut Brown the N bomb and got socked for it.
Vans still did collabs with him,NBHD did one the included Swazi’s and Iron cross which are also borderline Nazi symbols as well.
Racism and using racist icons is not cool either any way you slice it and honestly i would never wear anything by NBHD after I saw the Jason Jesse collab. It was classless
D Ross
finally!!!
good statement..
I’m tired of the excuse.. “… the swastika has other meanings in asia” :-/
What sort of political correctnes is this now? Hypocrits!
Hitler was a murderer, racis and many more.
Nothing to do with the fact that this label is making art or money or whatever out of that. Your wannabe correctnes is just crap, then u should thing further what is gonig on in this world now………..The point is that they dont follow his ideas at all (hope so). I wouldnt wear it, but I wouldnt discriminate anyone wearing it as long as they dont follow his footprints or ideas.
By the way, whats wrong with a Swastika sign?
american bikers wore swastikas because being racist is an american tradition…
punk rockers in the 70s/80s wore swastikas to piss off people…
neighborhood references biker culture and punk in their designs. get over it you pc fags.
there’s a reason neighborhood isn’t sold in europe… japanese don’t give a fuck about you.
Fact is there are a few american clothing companys that use similar symbols in similar context. Fresh Jive has done it many times, the had a whole collection based on the iron cross and the SS skull ( i know Rick Klotz is jewish himself and he does anything to piss people off) but he still did it. Another one is Eric Brunetti (FUCT) he has also used it a alot of times. Remeber i was goin to buy a fuct tee with a Keith Richards printr on, just to find on the back there was a photo of a spoon from nazi time germany with a SS Skull on it. Now what the hell has that anything to do with Keith Richards of the rollin stones. Just sayin it is not only Japanese labels that toy with these kind of images.
I am offcourse against every use of these kind of images. You like biker culture TET i know but there is other imagery you can steal. Do a Hells Angels Logo but i guess you to pussy for trhat because they would åprobebly kill you.
Regards
The easiest way to get attention is to pull juvenile crap like this.
Take a minute to watch this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhAr_UeroCk
Swap east London for Harajuku and flip flop ear muffs for Nazi T-shirts.
As a designer, artist, person… you have to take responsibility for your output, whether that’s what you say, wear, design or tattoo on your forehead. Why promote negativity no matter where in the world it’s from or what period.
Thanks for putting in a few more words in the original post Phil, it reads much better and conducive for a better discussion..
I see that a lot in ‘trends’ in japan – that, unlike western counterparts, there is somewhat a lack of “deeper” understanding of what they’re aligning themselves with, and for most part, it is completely unintentional. It could be a combination of both language and cultural barriers, which results in misunderstood slip-ups when they ‘fill in the gaps’ by themselves…
Perhaps it is like the same way that they may not completely understand the concept of anarchy in the punk movement, or the inner-city struggle that brought about hip-hop, rastafarianism/reggae yet proudly bear their allegiance to those music styles, which are all extremely popular in Japan, in both music and ’style’ forms. For the Japanese culture, sometimes the ‘look’ seems to bear more importance than the ‘why’, if that makes sense. This is the reason behind the interesting, (amusing?), big melting-pot of styles that shocks tourists visiting Tokyo.
Plenty of times during exhibitions I have asked designers there if they understood a certain icon, symbol, idiom they’ve used or item they’ve acquired – albeit normally it’s not offensive, rather just amusing. 90% of the time they shrug and say “I just liked the look/sound of it.”
I think this may be just a rather big cultural faux-pas. Much like casting a ’slanty-eyed’ guy in a TV commercial to depict an asian, or a rising sun on a ‘japanese-inspired’ graphic, or a reappropriated portrait of Chairman Mao/communist propaganda, all of which I’ve seen plenty of times before, outside of Japan by foreign companies without local community batting an eyelid. All rather naive or sometimes innocent looking icons in other cultures, but deeply offensive in others pertaining to history and past events.
The Krafft artwork aside, I believe the imagery they have used on some of their garments in past collections (specifically – the iron cross and SS skull) reference more to outlaw moto-culture (1%ers), and ‘rebellion’ as opposed to the ideology of the German NSGWP.
I would say that they would just need to be informed and educated on the emotional impact of the swastiska or NS-era imagery, whichever context it is placed in, in any form to the European people.
Perhaps education, not just condemnation is in order here.
Frank,
thanks for taking the time for your elaborated answer. Really appreciate it.
Glad we have this discussion going on, because it definitely gives me a better overall insight of the subject.
Still, I would love to hear some feedback from one of the NH guys, but maybe that’s too much to ask..
Some good discussion highlighting different points of view should be happening much more on all these blogs. Now, THAT IS OK.
I am Japanese, live in TOKYO.
Japan is a safe country. (in good way and bad way.)
Especially among sub-culture world, you see no boundaries of any histories, religion or value.
I would say anything is acceptable.
It is like Hitler and Arnold Schwarzenegger are in the same position, believe it or not, even those who are educated have this kind of strange value (I am exaggerating, but yes, this value really exist).
It is very scary, but at the same time, it is very interesting.
I assume Creators have absolutely NO INTENTION of making this Hitler Tee.
For them, it is just as wearing a Cross Necklace and praying at the Temple with NO MEANING.
But I must admit this is part of our culture.
And also,
I consider NBHD is in the category of “sub-culture (non-traditional art)”, as oppose to “high culture(traditional art)” such as tea ceremony, Ikebana, and such.
PLEASE be informed that this type of ignorance (the T-shirt) would never happen in the traditional art world, I promise.
Lastly, I strongly would like to let them know, as Japanese, that they really should think about consequences of making the T-shirt like this, due to broaden the market of NBHD products in foreign countries.
Thank you Mr. Phil to let me join this meaningful opinion board.
I was a big Neighborhood fan, i own over 20 pieces and have worn them for the last 6 or 7 years.
I read the article carefully and the fact that their collection and/or shop are displaying ANY type of Nazi related material/inspiration/pictures/clothing/dolls or any of that stuff makes me sick. Half of my family died in the Holocaust and this is not something i take lightly. It doesn’t make sense on any level, for any reason.
If this type of fashion is becoming a part of the street wear culture in Japan, I’m going to have to do what i can to boycott and protest such a thing.
A lot of my inspiration and ideas come from the Japanese culture and it is very disappointing to see a market that is very influenced by quality and originality to take any part in something so gruesome and horrific.
Frank
I hear you. But i still do not buy it. For example Tet who is a one of the founders of NBHD has with the NBHD underlable (W)Taps made a career of doing fashion built on military designs and imagery. Should he not now the history of WW2? What the Nazis did and so on? Im betting you he has a libary of books on the subject. I mean 100 % of my friends know what happend in ww2. And tet who is oppsesd with war imagery does not? Not to forget Japan was involved in WW2 so it is part of their history to.
Yes both Shinsuke Takizawa & Tetsu Nishiyama adores biker culture very much i think they even meet because of that common intrested. And you are right that is why they use this kind of imagery. But it does not take away the origins of the images and belive me they know where they originated from. They should ask them self why these biker gangs used these images. Maybe because these gangs where infact racist gangs to begin with. As i said in an erlier coment there is other ways to show your love for biker culter than Nazi symbols.
About the “art” in their store. Its a fashion store not an art gallery. Im sure the artist can explain his beauty/horror concept behind his Hitler Head sculpture. But as said it is not a gallery and the artist is not their to explain it. Avrege customer goes in to cop a new pair of jeans just se a statue of Adolf Hitler in the corner and either get repulsed or think it is cool because this “cool” clothing brand thinks so. He does not understand it is piece of art and the meaning behind it.
Who gives a shit. Typical use the “They are nazi’s” finger pointing to gain attention to your personal cause. This post is propaganda- similar to the propganda Gobels used throughout WW2.
i think it’s absolutely not ok. It’s stupid and excuse-less. but to me as a japanese, i kind of thought, “hmmm this might happen”. WHY? i ask myself. in the end this question leads me to bigger topics that i always question myself such as “why majority of japanese can’t speak english after 6 or even 8 years of english education?” (why? how? is there any strategic reason behind it?) “why WWII is skipped during history class?”, “why japanese are so americanized?” and much more. and i kind of know that there wouldn’t be any official statement from NBHD(i really hope there would be!). I just know it because that’s the way how japanese politicians or executives from big companies do. try to avoid to face it. that’s not cool at all. to me this topic is too big to discuss in the internet. this leads me to much bigger questions. but really really valuable talk going on so far here. i really appreciate it. if there are open discussion about it, i am ready for it. i need to face it.
[...] has nothing to do any more with provoking other people, but is plain dumb and brainless. — Phil-G November 11th, 2009 / 0 Comments / [...]
I can see the whole take on US biker culture, and how these jp brands are using the design as a secondary source, seemingly ignoring its primary origins.
However, a lot happened in WW2, and seeing that Japan is obsessed with Americana, would there be outcry in Tokyo if designs were depicted with the Enola Gay on it? “The Enola Gay says ‘bombs away!’”
People are quick to remember that the Nazis = bad, but some of the atrocities that the Japanese committed during WW2 somehow slip below the radar.
Unit 731 is the best example http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unit_731 (731 部隊) of Japanese human experimentation on the Chinese.
Highlights include:
-having horse urine injected into their kidneys
-Plague fleas, infected clothing, and infected supplies encased in bombs were dropped on various targets. The resulting cholera, anthrax, and plague were estimated to have killed around 400,000 Chinese civilians.
-being placed into high-pressure chambers until death
List goes on and on. So, how come there is no glorification of Unit 731? Its like ‘what happened in German history is fine, its not ours, its thousands of miles away, it is indirect”.
Yet there does seem to be some reluctance to glorify their own history. Maybe they do know after all what is deemed tasteless and tasteful after all?
WOW! Never heard of “Unit 731″… this is horrible!
SJ what is your point here? I dont get it?
My point is that it seems to be perfectly acceptable to take inspiration from dark periods of history and put it out there as designs, so long as that history has no direct link to their own.
[...] the masher tradeshow that is Bread & Butter Barcelona, he put together a piece over at his Highsnobiety blog outlining the use of Nazi symbolism through NEIGHBORHOOD’s various channels including a [...]
Let’s face it, this industry hardly represented by philological pursuits. How many designers working at labels like Neighborhood or kids buying from brands like Neighborhood do you know that are beacons of intellect or high education or moral standard? Target audiences and consumer demographics are largely young and naive and easily influenced. Sadly, the labels are the same and as such it is just far easier for brands to make a buck by advocating reduced stereotypes and tropes. How many labels can genuinely deny this? Not many.
Whether it’s glorification of Hitler or denegration of women and so on and so forth, this industry is certainly not known for its moral fortitude. Frankly, very, very few of those involved have the brains or the sense or the balls to develop or maintain a general consensus of conceptual design or some sort of notion of a higher calling or sense of duty to the consumer.
Sure, the average Japanese consumer may have a particular perception of history due to circumstance and ethnocentric and localizaed education but what the fuck does the average European consumer or American consumer understand about race politics or feminism or world history?
Don´t understand why now all people make a big story about that because this story is very old with nbhd. Also the pics of all this parts of nbhd are online since a long time!
thats the problem with you so-called ’streetwear specialists’ who doesnt have a clue about art or culture. first of all it is not NBHDs work but american artist Charles Krafft collection called ‘Disasterware’ it has no political message.
The Japanese fought on the side of the Axis and many men lost their lives in battle. Then were the firebombings (like Dresden) in which entire cities made of wood were incinerated and finally
the atomic bombing Nagasaki and Hirosima in which hundreds of thousands more civilians were melted. I made the ceramic Hitler teapot on display at Neighborhood in Tokyo. Also the Czech crystal “Forgiveness” perfume decanter. Why? Because I’m tired of hearing, reading or seeing something about the holy holocaust (with a capital H) every day of the week, year in and year out. The farther those events recede in time the larger they grow in the collective psyche. It’s like a club they start beating you over the head with in kindergarten. Any skepticism about the received history of WWII is a jailable offense in 13 European countries and Canada. They working to get the same kind of thought crime laws passed in the USA and they will probably get them. Have some sympathy for the fallen soldiers and the murdered families of the “enemy” who were humans, too, not the drooling, bug eyed Hollywood monsters you’ve been raised on, Sheldon.
Fuck the Germans. They fucking whine and cry about their past legacy…boo hoo. Just because you are forever carrying the guilt of your personal heritage/ country, don’t try to drag others into your pity party.
I am Japanese and grow up in Japan, but live in Amsterdam now.
I assume that there are probably two reasons why those kinds of products are sold.
The first one is that almost Japanese are not educated about how tragic those history were, except for the topic of atomic bombs, even if they are educated about the fact of the history in high school. (maybe not only Japanese, but i don’t want to compare. it’s meaningless now.)
So, some of Japanese are very insensitive about how people feel those tragedies, especially about ones of foreign country, i think.
They are usually educated just about a lot of knowledges, such as how many people were died at ** in 19**, for instance, in history class of high school, in order to remember those kinds of knowledges which might be required to pass the examination of university.
On the other hand, almost Japanese are educated about how Japanese were damaged by atomic bombs at the end of WW2. Those education remains within this limited particular issue, so they can’t imagine how tragic the other history of war was, including the topic of Nazis.
I think we couldn’t truely understand about how tragic the victims were, if we did not face the fact of what we damaged and were damaged.
(I don’t mean the approval of atomic bombs. and also, I don’t mean that the education of atomic bombs are necessary.)
The second one is that they might forget that those who want to have the right to freedom of expression have to carry out their duty that they must not hurt anyone’s feeling, whether or not they were educated about history in high school.
I think “making products (and sell)” is one of the “expression”, the same as drawing pictures or creating art, because peoples who contact with these products would feel something like cool, comfortable, good color, good design, or dislikable sometimes.
The producers have to keep in mind that they were allowed to be free to make whatever they want, just when they don’t hurt anyone’s feeling.
I think this is the rule which the member of society have to be conscious after graduation, even if they were not educated in high school.
Those are also why I visited Auschwitzm, Birkenau, and Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, after starting to live in Europe.
and I’m a little bit in charge of one process of producing something.
Irrespective of the origins of the symbol, in the modern world, the swastika rightly or wrongly will for a long time if not forever always be associated with the Third Reich, the Nazi Party and Hitler.
Neighborhood know exactly what they are doing when they incorporate the swastika into their clothing and, whilst I am all for fashion pushing boundaries and all that jazz, this is taking it too far.
It is insensitive, disrespectful and quite frankly a pathetic attempt at generating column inches. It shows a total lack of creativity or innovation and I sincerely hope that anyone with a brain reading this takes the same approach as myself and, from this point onwards, does not support a brand that thinks using swastikas is cool or necessary.
What irks me the most though when I read the comments relating to this post is that ,notwithstanding how offensive such an action by Neighborhood is, there still seem to be loads of people out there so obsequiously committed in their quest to ass-lick Shin and his buddies that they won’t acknowledge how disgusting it is.
I really would be fascinated to know how Mark Parker and the Board and Shareholders of Nike and similar individuals at Vans would react if they were made aware that the companies they are working with openly embrace and advocate the use of swastikas in their design. I can assure you it would not be looked upon favorably.
Fashion is all about making statements but Neighborhood have adopted this strategy in the manner of a bunch of illiterates and I just hope that people think exactly like Phil-G had the intelligence to do before they next consider buying anything made by this derivative bunch of morons who couldn’t design an original logo if it slapped them in the face.
msg to Disgusted: Did Neighborhood actually produce anything with a swastika?
Message to Mas: Yes they have and not only have they incorporated swastikas but they have also incorporated many other Nazi motifs in their design … Read Dante Ross’ blog for more information … If you visit their store in Harajuku I think you will be as shocked by some of the memorabilia on display there as Phil G and myself were … As for that Hitler reapot, I don’t care about the contextual background and the way Eugene Kan attempts to explain it quite frankly is farcical to anyone with an iota of intelligence … It is downright offensive and a lame attempt at shocking people to make money and attract attention … I would love to see what Mark Parker at Nike would say if I spray-painted a swoosh beneath that teapot … As an avid art collector I wonder if he would purchase it at a premium from good old Shin and put it on display in the foyer of the Michael Jordan Building at the Nike campus … Neighborhood really need to get it together and hire someone with a few more original ideas …
To Disgusted:
I am not talking about the Disasterware by Charles Krafft found in the Harajuku store that I visit all the time. I am talking about actual products that are for sale in the store. Does Neighborhood produce garments with swastikas + adolf hitler faces and stuff? My answer is: probably not. I’ve never seen any.
Let’s not mix up the store decoration with the actual products sold in the store.
Not only you’re so late about this, (disasterware are in the shop since 2007!), but I find it quite annoying to condemn Disasterware which are great pieces of art, while there are other great provocating objects in the store, such as the pentagram made of police barriers. Is satanism ok ? Is burning virgins or cops and occult rituals ok?
Don’t get me wrong, I am totally anti-fascist, but the decoration of this shop has no political stance, it’s a big mashup of 60’s motorcycles, the occult, and WWII imagery. Actually, I found it totally inspired by Lucifer Rising (you probably don’t know this movie, they don’t wear sneakers in it…).
It’s not like NBHD are pro-something or anti-something, it’s just the deco of a store, they are not selling guns or human foetuses…
If you have to fight something it’s probably the racist lyrics in most hip-hop albums you probably listen to while at Nike or Bape…
Message to Mas:
Neighborhood have indeed produced items with swastikas on them and have referenced many of the motifs of the Third Reich. Next time you take your tongue out of Shin’s anti-semitic rectum you can ask him to show you them.
The bottom line is that Neighborhood have a sculpture / piece of artwork of someone inside their store who was responsible for the murder of 6 million people and that is not acceptable. No artistic argument can justify this.
I think it was easier in the late 70’s when Sid Vicious would wear a swastika tee-shirt. There was no concepts such as “politically correct”, it was just fun.
Now if you say that the guys at NBHD do worship Hitler, that’s another thing. We should ask!
For the nazi part, I give you this example, I’m a leftie, but as a designer, I love and worship the graphic design that was made during the WWII, as well as the uniforms, colorways etc. That doesn’t make me a nazi. I can’t help but all their designs were perfect.
Same for Charles Krafft’s disasterware. It’s poetic and disgusting at the same time. The first time I saw the guns (the AK-47), I was amazed, the contrast between the gun and the flourish decoration was something I never saw before. The teapot was so much fun too. Quite shocking, but at the same time… it’s a teapot.
I remember a series of t-shirts by an american brand, can’t remember if it’s Supreme, Fuct or Freshjive, they were all-over prints with photos of different wars I recall, some were photos of columbian drug trade murders. It’s funny how nobody said anything about it. It could have been any other dictator or mass-murderer, no one would have said anything about it.
Again, you should try and watch Lucifer Rising. I totally see the connection here, where NBHD got inspiration for the deco of their store: 60’s motorcycle gangs, Kenneth Anger, Charles Manson…
Let’s also talk about their sound system in the shop, it’s really original, who checked it?
According to Wikipedia the idea of the Euro-Tour T-shirt already emerged in the mid-80s:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nazi_chic
And they are still sold – by our british mates:
http://www.8ball.co.uk/OffensiveT-shirts/HitlerEuropeanTour1939-45.html
The Adolf Tour tee is definitely a bad joke…
I prefered when Sid Vicious, Siouxsie, Luna Sea members had swastika armbands.
Because, together with the rest of the outrageous look, you couldn’t feel anything political,
it was just a visual shock.
The Adolf Tour tee, on the other hand is bad taste…
Oh, I mentioned Lucifer Rising as for NBHD inspiration (60’s motorcycle gangs, drugs, swastikas, churches etc.). My mistake, it’s actually “Scorpio Rising”. Great great film.
NOT OKAY!!!! Complete rubish. I am not mad at them for trying to create and use history for design inspiration, but know what’s in good taste. A good rule of thumb is, if genocide is involved, steer clear! Sometimes in this industry we see folks pushing the envelope. Which is cool. But GOOD LORD!!!! Hitler? It was just plain stupid. I am very glad you had the stones to speak up about this. I wonder what German based Adidas had to say about their collab partner’s work? I don’t want to hang the Neighborhood people by their toes or anything, but i do think they should make a statement. Just a “hey, we didn’t mean any offense. in retrospect we should have known better.”
It’s ridiculous, It;s noy okay!!!
Why do people use such terrible things in their designs. I don’t get it.
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It goes without saying that it isn’t right on any level. But we do still look at The Producers and think its funny (ok, I’m not speaking on everyones behalf!) but I do think labels have to be far more careful than most other industries regarding what imagery they use. Why? Cause people who can’t think for themselves, who follow all the latest trends, really wouldn’t think that their favourite designer could be making such a balls up, leading them down some dodgy f’d up fascist road. Its even sadder that theres a mighty right wing wave thats sweeping Europe as well, thats another story (and I despise that SOOO much) but, back to the point… please boycott Neighbourhood products in Europe (and whereever you are) until they issue a FULL apology for being such insensitive pieces of sh*t, thinking that its ‘ironic’ to be making designs using images where MILLIONS of people suffered, oh how very witty. Its kinda like Bruno… but this is for real. Boycott them, they’re a disgrace, simple as that. Designers have responsibilities, they really need to grow some balls. Neighbourhood=SCUM (full apology, even then, I won’t be going near them) very sad to see. Neighbourhood, tell your friends is wack fascist sh*t… also George at Asda is much cheaper, so you know where you can find me. Lollypop.
All I can read here was
“Kike Kike Kike Kike Kike Kike Kike Kike Kike Kike Kike Kike Kike Kike Kike Kike Kike Kike Kike Kike Kike Kike”.
It is bore.
“Hitler Hitler Hitler. Blah blah blah.”
I am so love Hitler. He’s kawaii yo!
They don’t make White men like him anymore. Zannen, ne?
Nippon Heil!