Japan’s fetishists find a safe haven for their sexual preferences at Tokyo’s Department H: ‘I come here to be myself’
- Department H is a monthly fetish event at the Tokyo Kinema Club, with themes ranging from April Fool’s Day and sumo wrestling to ‘June brides’
- Patrons say the event is barrier-free, and allows them the freedom to do what they want away from the confines and conservatism of Japanese society
Makeshiki cuts quite a figure as he strides through the revellers. Tall for a Japanese man – admittedly enhanced by his boots – he is clad from head to toe in sheer black latex, although the skin-tight hood that conceals his face has openings for his eyes and mouth that are ringed in red.
“I have been coming here every month for the last seven years,” says Makeshiki, who is cagey about giving too much away. He is 37 years old and works for one of Japan’s big telecommunications companies, but is reluctant to provide details that could potentially identify him.
“I am a salaryman. Some years ago I discovered that I love latex,” he says. “But this is my secret. I have never told my family or my friends, even my closest friends. I don’t think they would understand. I actually do not think they would try to understand if I tried to explain.
“I suppose I am often uncomfortable in Japanese society and I come here to be myself,” he adds.
“This is my freedom.”
It is a sentiment I heard expressed time and again over the course of the evening.
