Half-Japanese half-European people - or 'halfs' as they are called - are popular in Japan as models for advertising. I guess this is an improvement from the old days when Japanese advertising seemed to be full of Americans.
Anyway, Rika registered Hannah with an agency, and she has been chosen for about 5 photo-shoots so far. The results of the first 2 were published last week in a baby goods magazine called Akasugu.
1. Baby seat Advertisement. I didn't expect that Hannah's first photo-shoot would be for a 3-way....
Detail:
2. Two page baby-food advertisement.
Left-hand page
Right-hand page:
Detail. "Madonaletta and Child". Rika hates this photo because she thinks she was too heavily made up and looks like Donaletta Versace.
Detail 2:
Last weekend Hannah had a photoshoot for baby clothes, which I was able to attend. It was very interesting. The location was a truly lovely Scandinavian-style home out in the suburbs. This seems to be used only for photo-shoots and looked just like a Carl Larsson picturebook.
They also had some real quality toys in the waiting area.
The photo-shoot was for winter clothes, so Hannah was dressed up in heavy clothes and then placed into the set like a doll. Then the team would retreat out of the frame try to make her smile by calling, blowing bubbles, waving toys, singing songs and playing music.
This is shot published in 'Akasugu' in September
Not surprisingly most of the time the baby models just look worried or confused. But occasionally they would smile or just look cute then 'click', and the job is done.
The published result.
Our family also appeared in print this month in a manga comic about motherhood. This was drawn by one of Rika's friends and published as a supplement to a magazine for expecting mothers called 'Tamago Club' ('Egg' club)
Detail. The mother is saying ' I wish my husband would cook for me'. Her Japanese husband is replying 'that isn't going to happen'.
Then the narrator says 'even if I am expecting too much from him, at least I don't need to look after two babies...' In the picture I am returning from home saying 'mama, where is my dinner', and Minimi is also saying 'food, food', while Rika is breastfeeding and saying 'Im not your mother!'.
I think this is a bit harsh since Rika doesn't have to cook much more often than most Japanese husbands! On the other hand I think the drawing was flattering - I might make it into a t-shirt.
