A new erotic photo book is achieving brisk sales in spite of not revealing any of the faces of the female models nor full nudity, reports weekly tabloid Shukan Asahi Geino (Sep. 8).
The magazine says that the book emphasizes the subtle aspects of swimsuits and uniforms: The skirt of a sailor suit gently rises to expose high up a thigh; a sock is visible just before a change into a swimsuit; and an exercise session gently reveals a bare midriff.
The book “Natsufuku Joshi (Summer Clothing Girls, 夏服女子),” by Million Publishing, is recording tremendous sales, having ascended to the top of the photo book section of Amazon.jp at the end if July (and still holding that position now).
“Over the last year or two, it’s become something of a trend for this type of book to appear on shelves,” says Shunichi Kamada, manager of the Aratama book shop, located in Tokyo’s Akihabara district. “By not showing the faces of the models, the reader’s imagination and fantasies can be expanded. This particular title has become its own genre.”
As Kamada indicates, there are various titles of this type available, so the success of “Natsufuku Joshi” has even surprised the creators.
Yuki Sugawara, who edited the book, says that promotion was limited. “The Akibablog, which features current events in Akihabara, kick-started interest. What attracted the most attention was a quote that read, ‘We can probably smell that obi‘” — referring to a belt that wraps around a summer kimono.
The photographer behind the pictures is Masaki Okado. “I didn’t use posed pics,” he explains. “I just focused on moments where a girl momentarily drops her guard while wearing summer clothes.”
It was a matter of focusing on eroticism hidden within everyday activities — that’s what is driving sales, says the photographer. “While looking at other books, I felt that there was something that wasn’t right,” he says. “Perhaps this has something to do with the particular photographer’s personal feelings. We decided to incorporate the perspective of various staff members after thorough discussions to come up with a consensus.”
“The camera angles and lighting are also carefully crafted,” bookstore manager Kamada adds. “Focusing on high, dark blue socks is also an example of the book’s attention to details.”
“Natsufuku Joshi” (2,100 yen) also comes with a 60-minute DVD. “It’s a good buy,” Kamada concludes.
Source: “Kaonashi hadakanashi demo uriage ichii, ‘Natsufuku Joshi’ no chirarizumu ga ero sugiru,” Shukan Asahi Geino (Sept. 8, page 58)