It was a cold, dreary and rainy night, not to mention the strangest evening in the year when cosplay characters and kabuki devils are free to wonder the streets of Toronto. Yes, it was Hajjjoween! The event that for some reason has triple J’s, perhaps representing the level of Japaneseness. If this is the case, then it should really be ‘Hajjjjjoween’, as the event was a multi-lateral concoction, brewed from the minds of JAVA, Japanada, JCSA, CJA, and JETAA.
With well over 200 plus attendees, Hajjjoween was crawling with all kinds of spooky and crazy characters. The trends of the night included Japanese yukata apparel, delectable and sweet witches, innocent but yet sexy red-riding hoods, prison gangs and accompanying bad boy cops, not-so hilarious clowns, afro-riding hipsters, and the notorious V for Vendetta stocked with hip katanas.
Everyone came dressed to impress, particularly the hairy Viking, but at the strike of 11pm the somewhat disorganized costume contest determined that there could only be three winners. In third place, Takoyaki-san, a man wearing a takoyaki stand (aka Roots) won the most delicious prize, $20 worth of Japanese Okashi. The Second place winner went to the wise Master Ken, who can continue his quest for wisdom with an indigo gift card. The winner and champion of the most excellent prize, a $50 gift card to the LCBO, was Alex the Skullman. It is sad to note, though, that JETAA’s own ingenious Sifton the Japanese ‘Dame’ camera and Nam the human washing machine did not even make runner-up. So it must be simply noted that their costumes kicked ass!
It is sad to note, though, that JETAA’s own ingenious Sifton the Japanese ‘Dame’ camera and Nam the human washing machine did not even make runner-up. So it must be simply noted that their costumes kicked ass!
The end of the night it was still cold, dreary and rainy, but after hours of mingling and dancing in dark, cramped and hot conditions, Hajjjoween was a hell of a party (pun intended).
Text by Judy Cerovski
Photos by Nicholas Jones, Bokeh Photography