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If you’re into Japanese fashion, makeup or hair styling, you ought to be acquainted with the word “dokumo”. An abbreviation for dokusha moderu, which literally means “reader model”, dokumo is a term for amateur models who usually have full-time jobs aside from their occasional modelling stints. Many popular fashion icons, models and artists including Tsubasa Masuwaka and the sensational Kyary Pamyu Pamyu were dokumo before they made a name for themselves.

Japanese fashion magazines often feature dokumo from all walks of life, and some of the more popular dokumo even attain a celebrity-like status and have fans gushing over them online and in real life. One of the hottest dokumo of the moment representing the young, fashionable generation from Harajuku is this doe-eyed 19-year-old, Batusing Takaaki, who has over 14,000 followers on Twitter! Witness the reason for his popularity after the jump!

Harajuku is well-known for its fashion diversity and vibrant pop culture. Walk into any store along Takeshita-doori and you’ll likely find yourself greeted by fashionable staff decked in some of the most trendy apparel and sporting eccentric hair styles and colors. In fact, many of these staff also make appearances on fashion, hair and makeup magazines as “dokumo”.

Batusing Takaaki, who is of half Spanish-Filipino, half Japanese descent, has been gaining massive popularity due to his boyish charm, dreamy gaze and the wide variety of looks he can pull off. Standing at 176cm (5’9″) with a svelte, androgynous frame, Batusing often graces the pages of fashion and hair styling magazines. Whoever thinks only girls can have fancy, ever-changing hairstyles obviously needs a tip or two from this young lad!

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▼ Volume and curls.BsbhmsCCMAAlhE4

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▼ Ashy blonde shades.BmyntgRCUAE6xrv

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▼ Harry Potter just got edgy.BsjOk0KCUAAq2DP

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▼ Bieber hair? Sure, why not.BpU-qfSIUAErQjv

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▼ Looking fab even with a mask hiding half his face.
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▼ Batusing working his charm in various magazines.
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Another reason why dokumo gain such attention and popularity in Japan is because unlike professional supermodels, who tend to have immaculate features and ultra-enviable body proportions, dokumo are mostly white or pink-collar workers or students, and they provide an image that is more easily attainable by the average reader. On top of that, some of these dokumo are easily approachable as they work at regular retail or food and beverage establishments!

Batusing happens to be one of those within reachable proximity! If you’re interested in meeting Batusing in person, head down to the WEGO (a Japanese street fashion brand) store at Takeshita-doori!

▼ Batusing at work, snapped by a fan.

【Store Information】
〒150-0001
東京都渋谷区神宮前1-8-2
SoLaDo原宿B1F

〒150-0001
Tokyo, Shibuya-ku Jinggu-mae 1-8-2
SoLaDo Harajuku B1F

Opening hours
10:30~20:30 (Sat/Sun/Public holidays 10:30~21:00)

Living too far away from Tokyo, or too shy to drop by in person? No worries, you can still feast your eyes on this fine boy by following him on Twitter!

Source: Zhaizhai News
Images: Batusing Takaaki on Twitter