Relay Column: The Day a Boy Became "Gyaru" – Personal Reflections on Little "Drag" (Taiki Miyashita)

As I delve into my childhood memories with "fashion" as a keyword, I encounter a scene like this.

Was it when I was in the second year of middle school? Our cram school had a tradition of participating in the local summer festival. Many volunteer groups, young and old, from the community gathered, dancing to music while parading through the streets. On that day, the boy was full of excitement—his first experience with gyaru makeup awaited him!

Before dusk, we gathered at the park, sat on a bench, and the two senior students began applying makeup. Unfamiliar cosmetics like eyeliner, mascara, and glittery eyeshadow were applied to my face one after another. Finally, donning a blonde curly wig completed the vibrant "gyaru" look I had envisioned. With such a special outfit, it goes without saying that the festival that followed was incredibly exhilarating.

What was it that brought me that intense feeling of joy that day?

Thinking simply, I could say I was engaging in "disguise" or "cosplay" by mimicking the image of those commonly perceived as "gyaru" in society. From the perspective of being recognized as "male" in most situations back then, I could also say I was enjoying "cross-dressing." As a sociology student, I had never previously focused on themes such as fashion or makeup, so I searched for literature that might be enlightening, and I came across the essay collection "コスプレする社会――サブカルチャーの身体文化" published in 2009. Upon opening the table of contents, I found several terms that seemed related. In the following sections, I would like to explore the depths of my one-day gyaru experience, partially relying on the content of this book.