Chinese Steampunk movies: Tai Chi Zero and Hero

     In the case you have not caught it yet, there is a Chinese steampunk Kung-Fu movie available for viewing on DVD called Tai Chi Zero. One may find it Amazon.com. Do see the Tai Chi Zero 'Trailer' on the You-tube.

     Coming soon to select theaters is the second installment Tai Chi Hero involving a cannon attack on a village and various flying contraptions of a steampunk nature. Delightful promotional matters for which may be found here : Tai Chi Hero Trailer. Do cast your eyes on the poster for Tai Chi hero to be found below. I must say that is a rather fine top hat he is sporting!

Till next time,
STay lightly starched and techno savvy,
Ever sincerely,
MWT.

The latest in Korean created steampunk fashions

     I trust this blogpost finds you well and of good cheer. I have just acquired steampunk news from South Korea land of Kimchi, Psy and a rather noisy neighbor in the North. 
     Korean steampunk is as of the last few years just getting underway but is, to be overly droll - gathering steam. The Korean company in Seoul Red Valve has a new steampunk line of watches for sale in this, the land of the morning calm as it is called.

     And, proving the cultural anthropologists and the steampunk culture creators right: designer 한동우 Han Dong Woo has been stepping out of his gothic phase and producing wonderful Victorian style waistcoats for the steam punk inclined. There will be more on him in future posts upon my getting into the heart of Seoul later during this upcoming school vacation period.
     Is steampunk an evolution from goth? Han Dong Woo seem to show that is is so.

     As of next month with the assistance of a Korean Zen monk I shall be purchasing some tea-clothes 차옷 (Cha-ot) as they are called here so I shall file a report on Korean tea fashion. As well I shall dust off one of my USBs and summon forth my old PPT. to bring you a brief review of the Jeoseon/Choseon Dynasty which rather closely coincides with the Victorian era of which many steampunkers more than merely portray but bring back when recreating themselves.

Until next post, stay lightly starched and techo savvy.
Regards,
MWT.

Tokyo Steam Garden

     It has recently come to my attention that there has been an event of some gravity held as of late in Tokyo:

     Alternative fashion reporter  La Carmina has recently covered a recent Steampunk event held in Tokyo Japan. Her blogpost can be found here:
Steam Garden: Tokyo, Japan steampunk party at Christon Cafe Shinjuku. Japanese cosplay fashion event.

     The event was put together by a group called Tokyo Steam Garden. The group is comprised of Captain Kenny Creation, Philosopher Luke Chaos, Airship Technician Sa-Kyo, Medic Misa, Navigator Fiona, Princess Dani, Dolls, Green Fairy, Shisha and Boss the bird. They are also accompanied by Masters of Clockwork who sell various scientific gadgetry to patrons and supply Steam Garden with their various mechanical contraptions.

Asian Steampunk Archetypes

Here in the Orient the gentle buds for white tea have been picked and of late, green tea has come of season.  We of the orient are well aware, upon scoping out the looming clouds that rainy season is soon to be upon us bringing the occasional typhoon.

At my window on the 17th floor overlooking the East Sea I pondered while I pressed my own fighting trousers. Khaki 'capri pants' as they are called in the Occident. In the interim I was to be found in my Yukata watching the latest sumo matches and getting much in the fighting spirit of the season.

 Thus it was with much relish my eyes have, of this night, fallen upon a 2011 article entitled The Problem With Asian Steampunk. The author, a Mr.Jeff Nevin was lamenting the lack of variety in those 'portraying' Asian characters stating that there were only "Samurai, Ninja and geisha" to be found. Perhaps he has been only looking in the west. I ask you, members of the East Orient Steampunk Society at large : has he come to our Orient? Could he be right?

Mr Nevin is quick to remind us and that, "Pirates, submarine captains, hard-boiled reporters, female private detectives... these are all part of east Asian history and popular culture in the steampunk era".
He ends exhorting us to a greater creativity with, "Steampunk writers and cosplayers, expand your horizons!"

In this blog I intent to take Mr.Nevin to task on the issue proving that there is variety to be found and due much credit in steampunk society of the East Orient. Indeed, even a cursory search of the Internet has provided me with a few artists and even an English language steampunk author living in Korea writing Asian oriented steampunk novels.

Thus I am to don my Canadian Tilley hat and yellow trench coat and strike out in upcoming months to find and report on this animal that is East Oriental Steampunk Society.
Best wishes,
--MWT.
P.S. alas, _another_ night of fireworks in the neighbourhood.

My Chinese Opera "Teahouse Owner" jacket, 'out and about' tea pants and Dobby the dog.