September 22, 2016 • mccsokinawa.com
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J
apan has an artistic history as deep and rich as any in the world, covering an array of media such as pottery, woodblock, silk, paper and ink. Traditional Japanese art is renowned for its distinctiveness, but a more modern form of Japanese art is also gaining admiration. The medium deviates from tradition and is always unique to the person for whom it's created. Sadly, these works of art are only temporary, always getting chipped away by the hands of time. To many, this only adds to the style’s allure, much like the fleeting beauty of the Japanese cherry blossoms. This artistic style is commonly known as “nail art.” Beginning in the mid-1990s, Japan’s nail-care and nail-art industry had an estimated market size of ¥201.5 billion. In 2010 it nearly doubled. What began as a day at the salon has morphed
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into a serious art form complete with exhibitions and competitions. This impulse to adorn is clearly exhibited in nail art with designs ranging from trendy to downright outrageous. At times the dangerously long and intricate nail designs render your hands useless for all intents and purposes. Fortunately, there is a whole other industry dedicated to inventing gadgets to help nail art aficionados do things like open cans, wear gloves and use their cell phones, all while protecting their masterpieces. On Okinawa, you would be hard-pressed to find a nail salon that doesn’t offer nail art. Toenail art is also popular and often included in the cost of pedicures. Two popular salons among Americans are Dulce (located outside of Camp Foster’s commissary gate), and Cocok (located on Route
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"...a day at the salon has morphed into a serious art form complete with exhibitions and competitions." 23 in Chatan). The hardest part is finding the resolve to select a design from the endless samples of artistic genius.
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