Review: A Unique Photo Exhibition, Panchira 2015

That moment when you catch a glimpse of panties peeking out from under a skirt, that accidental gap that reveals your panties…when your skirt suddenly flares up and your panties are exposed—panchira. The panty-shot. Panchira has, for a long time, been used in Japanese anime and manga to add a comedic touch, as well as invite young readers and viewers to a world of mystery and innocence. The art exhibit Photo Exhibition Pachira 2015, which was held in Tokyo from Feb. 9 to 15, used panchira as its theme. Many TOM Special Creators participated in the show, so we went to go take a peek.

What exactly is this “panchira,” which invites us to a mysterious world? Surely, I would say that it is the universe. This image is from the official homepage for the Panchira 2015 Exhibit. It was the same visual used for the exhibit. © Namada

The exhibit was held at a small 3-floor gallery called Photons Art Gallery, which is about a 1-minute walk from Asakusabashi Station. This recent panchira exhibit was a renewal of the Panchira 2001 illustration exhibit that took place online in 2001. Roughly 15 years later, it made its comeback. Artwork from participants who were scheduled to show on the day of the event were located on the first floor. Also sharing the first floor was a commemorative photo booth featuring a large print of the main visual, and a life-size panel of Namada. Other participants’ artworks were shown on the second and third floor.

On the first floor were works by participants who were scheduled to show that day. (Participation was open to the public.) We caught sight of many female visitors at the exhibit.
Packaging and container (package) of a certain soy sauce by Aoyama Momomi / Namada. It features a panda with just bamboo leaves in its paw. Despite the content, strangely, it doesn’t feel erotic. © MOMOMI AOYAMA / Namada

Panchira. Panchira. It was panchira as far as the eye could see. We heard that in one week, around 20,000 visitors were counted. The panchira exhibit—how incredible. The exhibit was generously decorated with nearly 50 panchira works by cosplayers, illustrators, and photographers.

In regards to this event, the sole organizer, Namada, commented, “The high quality of this exhibition was possible thanks to the support of major companies.” She also revealed that she “had to be careful about how to advertise and get media coverage” due to the misunderstanding of the project as something geared toward adults.

Namada lifting up her own skirt. When asking about panchira, she responded with a strong message: “I think that men and women of all ages share the same miraculous personal experiences of happiness and embarrassment. I think that these feelings originate from Japan’s culture of shyness, and I want to share this modest part of Japanese culture with the rest of the world. It would be great if it could be transmitted overseas.”

We were particularly interested in the selection of TOM Special Creators to participate in the show. The point for selection was if a work represented shyness in relation to panchira or not. Namada commented that, “I requested cameramen who normally don’t take panty-shots and models who don’t seem likely to do panty-shots. It was important for not only the creators to feel embarrassed, but for the viewers to also share in the embarassment. ‘What? I can see this person’s underwear!? How embarrassing! But...I kind of want to see it!!’ is the reaction I want viewers to have.” And, all the participants sought various different approaches to “panchira.” Namada also reflected that for the creators, “It felt like there was pressure.”

She continued with, “In regards to dreams, goals, aspirations, uneasiness about panchira...the artists’ thoughts are all packed into their artwork. Surprisingly there were a great variety of ways that the artists approached panchira, and I felt that the possibilities were endless.”

“Untitled” by Kazuharu Kina. Comment from Kina: “This is the first time I have presented my artwork surrounded by photographers. I thought that this exhibit would be a special opportunity, so I attempted to make a work in which the boundaries between photography and illustration are unclear.” © Kazuharu Kina

“Magical Hitman ~The Young Witch (Man) Who Solves Things with Physics~” by Nonomy. Comment from Nonomy: “This photograph shows a man wearing a green shirt (me) looking at the main visual for Panchira 2015, and I transform into a young witch (man). Usually, the focus is on women characters, but I boldly used a man’s form for viewers to enjoy the gap between what is expected and what is presented. Please pay attention to the nicely shaped legs extending from the schoolgirl’s shorts.” © Nonomy

“happening” by Lewo Saito. Comment from Saito: “The camera shutter clicked right when the model lost her balance in a hammock.” © Lewo Saito

This year’s Panchira Exhibit has become a topic of conversation, and in some cases, people waited in line for 2 hours. In one week, amazingly more than 20,000 visitors were recorded, and the following day, Namada announced this on Twitter. In any event, for a panchira exhibit, it was incredible.

The ¥1,000 official photobook was also popular. A lot of people reached for this 64-page, full color book.

All the photo books were sold out, and the curtains of the exhibition closed, leaving us in that world of mystery and shyness. Hopefully it will be held again next year. Actually, even twice a year would be nice.

Panchira 2015 Photo Exhibition

This is a Tokyo Otaku Mode original article.

The entrance to the Panchira Exhibition
The entrance to the Panchira Exhibition
A crest of arms by TETZ-CO shown on a gallery window
A crest of arms by TETZ-CO shown on a gallery window
A crest of arms by TETZ-CO shown on a gallery window
A crest of arms by TETZ-CO shown on a gallery window
  
  
The "Commemorative Photo Booth.” There was a large poster of the main visual, and there was also a panel installation of Namada with a real skirt, which visitors were able to lift up.
The "Commemorative Photo Booth.” There was a large poster of the main visual, and there was also a panel installation of Namada with a real skirt, which visitors were able to lift up.
 
 
 
 
Review: A Unique Photo Exhibition, Panchira 2015 8
Both newcomers and regular participants alike had wonderful pieces.
Both newcomers and regular participants alike had wonderful pieces.
Review: A Unique Photo Exhibition, Panchira 2015 10
Review: A Unique Photo Exhibition, Panchira 2015 11
 
 
©Namada
©Namada
©Namada
©Namada
© Lewo Saito / Namada
© Lewo Saito / Namada
"Dear Majority" by Yuzu Kotoki. Comment from Yuzu: “This is the first and last work that follows the majority.”
"Dear Majority" by Yuzu Kotoki. Comment from Yuzu: “This is the first and last work that follows the majority.”
“Untitled” by Kazuharu Kina. Comment from Kina: “This is the first time I have presented my artwork surrounded by photographers. I thought that this exhibit would be a special opportunity, so I attempted to make a work in which the boundaries between photography and illustration are unclear. I have nothing to say about panchira, I want viewers to feel something after looking at the artwork. © Kazuharu Kina
“Untitled” by Kazuharu Kina. Comment from Kina: “This is the first time I have presented my artwork surrounded by photographers. I thought that this exhibit would be a special opportunity, so I attempted to make a work in which the boundaries between photography and illustration are unclear. I have nothing to say about panchira, I want viewers to feel something after looking at the artwork. © Kazuharu Kina
“happening” by Lewo Saito. Comment from Saito: “The camera shutter clicked right when the model lost her balance in a hammock. © Lewo Saito
“happening” by Lewo Saito. Comment from Saito: “The camera shutter clicked right when the model lost her balance in a hammock. © Lewo Saito
“Magical Hitman ~The Young Witch (Man) Who Solves Things with Physics~” by Nonomy. Comment from Nonomy: “This photograph shows a man wearing a green shirt (me) looking at the main visual for Panchira 2015, and I transform into a young witch (man). Usually, the focus is on women characters, but I boldly used a man’s form for viewers to enjoy the gap between what is expected and what is presented. Please pay attention to the nicely shaped legs extending from the schoolgirl’s shorts.” © Nonomy
“Magical Hitman ~The Young Witch (Man) Who Solves Things with Physics~” by Nonomy. Comment from Nonomy: “This photograph shows a man wearing a green shirt (me) looking at the main visual for Panchira 2015, and I transform into a young witch (man). Usually, the focus is on women characters, but I boldly used a man’s form for viewers to enjoy the gap between what is expected and what is presented. Please pay attention to the nicely shaped legs extending from the schoolgirl’s shorts.” © Nonomy
“Beyond Good and Evil (Jenseits von Gut und Böse)” by TETZ-CO. Comment from TETZ-CO: “No matter which characters in the pictures you look at––even a hero carrying out a just cause––it all becomes silly when we see their panties. Since viewers are just looking for the panty-shot, it doesn’t matter what the character is doing. In short, panchira is something beyond good and evil. (Note: The image shown here is not the actual color of the work.) © TETZ-CO
“Beyond Good and Evil (Jenseits von Gut und Böse)” by TETZ-CO. Comment from TETZ-CO: “No matter which characters in the pictures you look at––even a hero carrying out a just cause––it all becomes silly when we see their panties. Since viewers are just looking for the panty-shot, it doesn’t matter what the character is doing. In short, panchira is something beyond good and evil. (Note: The image shown here is not the actual color of the work.) © TETZ-CO
“Prelude to the Empress” by Ryo Asakura. Comment from Asakura: “In the main visual for the Panchira Exhibit, a man wearing a green shirt is looking at an instance of panchira. My work uses the same point of view as that man. What could the man in the green shirt be thinking, what could he be feeling as he looks at the panchira? Surely, he was thinking, ‘I will show what a real panchira is!’ He transforms himself in order to show the world the most beautiful and powerful panchira.” © seventhgraphics
“Prelude to the Empress” by Ryo Asakura. Comment from Asakura: “In the main visual for the Panchira Exhibit, a man wearing a green shirt is looking at an instance of panchira. My work uses the same point of view as that man. What could the man in the green shirt be thinking, what could he be feeling as he looks at the panchira? Surely, he was thinking, ‘I will show what a real panchira is!’ He transforms himself in order to show the world the most beautiful and powerful panchira.” © seventhgraphics

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