Going to a Japanese shrine to take a few
pictures in your maid costume or anime armor may seem like an amazing idea to
gain followers, but locals don't like it anymore. The authorities of the
iconic Yasukuni Shrine, located in the Chiyoda neighborhood of
Tokyo, have just released an official statement that fell like a bucket of cold
water for many tourists and locals: as of August 7, entry is strictly
prohibited to any visitor wearing a cosplay or military
clothing.
To understand the context of this drastic
measure, it must be remembered that this Shinto site is not just a theme park.
The place is dedicated to honoring the spirits of those who lost their lives
in Japan's wars since the Meiji era. In decades past, it was
common to see real veterans wearing their old uniforms to remember their fallen
comrades with complete respect. However, over the years, new generations began
to appear disguised in foreign historical military uniforms or full costumes of
fictional characters, turning a space of mourning and solemnity into a parade
of costumes that ended up offending regular visitors.
The straw that broke the camel's back was
precisely the enormous lack of common sense of those who use these traditional
spaces as if they were their personal photographic studio. Through its website,
the sanctuary made it clear that this new rule is not exclusive to
commemorative dates in August, but will be applied permanently throughout the
year. The goal is simple: to maintain the dignity of the venue so that people
can pay their respects in an atmosphere of absolute calm, asking the community to
cooperate and understand the true peaceful purpose of the place.
Seeing that more and more temples and
traditional areas in Japanese territory are implementing severe restrictions
against foreigners and content creators
