Hand-drawn face portraits (Nigaoe 似顔絵) or charactures are very popular in Japan. You can often find an artists sitting by the side of the road in busy shopping locations or inside shopping malls like you can see in these pictures.
Ishikawa Ryo, the teenage champion Japanese golfer has a picture of himself on his golf ball. At a tournament a few months back, a fan picked the ball up to take home as a souvenir. People in the crowd had to explain to her to put it back on the fairway or she would cause Ishikawa to lose the match.
If you want to get your face on a golf club, you can try this site here. They also do cakes, cushions and zippo lighters.
Another good site to take a look at is one that makes nigaoe for your SNS profile.
Have you had your picture drawn? How was it?
RT @tweetmeme Japanese Portraits, Nigaoe, Japan Living | Shibuya246 http://bit.ly/55d5Vq Looks like fun. I’d have it done. First I’d have a self portrait, then a group one. Do you think Rilakkuma would like to have one done w/me?
That is a great idea. A picture of you with Rilakkuma sitting on your lap 🙂 I can see it now.
I want one!
Oh interesting article~! I have seen some portrait artist like these in Japan, but I never knew they were popular. Here in America generally people avoid this, unless they have children. The only time I’ve had this done was when I was a kid, once I got a rather realistic drawing but usually it was those quite unflattering caricatures XP
I really like the styles of some of those artists, I might try it. But it’s hard to suppress the memories of artists over exaggerating my pointy chin, long nose and pre-orthodontist teeth. Haha.
LOL. I don’t think I could sit through a session of “pointy chin”. In Japan, the artists seem to be able to bring out the good features to please the customers. On a weekend, getting your face drawn can be as popular if not more than getting your palm read. It is a good thing for couples to do on a date. ^^.
As the artist, I’m usually the one drawing everyone else ;P
These are sooo much cooler than the Characatures done at theme parks in the states, in my opinion.
I think the group drawings are more fun, tho, you’d all have to share just ONE drawing haha
Have to add this to my to-do list for when I visit Japan.
Thanks so much for sharing!
You are welcome. Thanks for joining in :). The Japanese drawings seem to have a warmth and softness to them. I have seen some drawings overseas, but I thought they were a bit to hard on the lines and came across less friendly. Maybe it has something to do with the anime background? Hope you get chance to have this done when when you are next in Japan.