For the last 20 years Ryoichi ‘Keroppy’ Maeda has been documenting the underground rise in Japanese extreme body modification. Keroppy learned saline infusions in 2003 and brought the idea to Japan in 2007, he has been performing modifications ever since. The ‘Bagelhead’ is currently the hottest body modification, created by injecting medical saline solution into the forehead. The saline solution is injected for two hours and the ‘bagel/donut-head’ look is created by pressing your thumb in the middle of the forehead. Once complete, the modification will last 16-24 hours.
In all seriousness, trends come and trends go – but where in the HELL did this one come from? And why would you want to make your forehead look like a freakin’ bagel?? LOL… would they still want this look if they were called “donut-heads”? I can’t help be think of Homer Simpson….
Here is a short video by National Geographic’s “Taboo” of the “bagelhead” procedure. No blood, just a needle being inserted into their foreheads.
Taboo : Bagel Heads
.
Extreme Body Modifications Japan
Caution: From this point on is not for the faint of heart. Below are some incredible photos taken of extreme body modifications performed by Ryoichi ‘Keroppy’ Maeda. Unless you are a extreme modifier yourself, some of these images will make you wince, and some have blood in them. If you are the type of person that faints at the sight of blood, I would turn around and check out another post on Motley News. (Yeah, I just spammed my own site… 🙂 )
I will give credit when credit is due… Ryoichi ‘Keroppy’ Maeda is very VERY talented in what he does. The precision in his scar art (carving skin) is exact! I certainly have no desire to do so but if I did, I would most definitely want it to be precise. After all, there is no return policy on this type of art.
This section also includes photos of the underground scene in Japan. Many of the people that both attend as well as perform in these shows probably have some very extreme modifications. Although I wouldn’t consider hanging by hooks through your skin as modification, it is apparently a hot underground act. There are several photos taken of both men and women hanging by hooks through their skin. One photo looks like an actual performance as they are wearing costumes, one being an angel.
There are also a few photos that I simply do not know what they are. They have to do with Ryoichi’s work in modification, but what it is and what he’s doing is not clear to me. If you hover above any of the images in the mosaic below, then the caption will pop up. I have indicated these unknowns as “I don’t know.” If you do, or have a good idea on what is going on or what the “thing” is, please let me know in the comments.
Eye (and Mouth Sewn) Wide Shut
Another photo worth pointing out is of this young girl. She has had her left eye and her mouth sewn shut. I have no idea why. I am fairly confident that this is just a temporary modification for her performance. In the gallery of all images below, I will place an image of a performer that I believe may be her. It was consecutive to the photo of her face in Ryoichi’s gallery on his website, Keroppy Maeda.
.
My Heart For You
I am not sure on this one, but it appears to be pieces of skin cut out in the shape of a heart. Instead of a heart-shaped cookie-cutter, here we have a heart-shaped Epidermis/Dermis/Subcutaneous-cutter. Ouch….
Well, onward ho! Here is the gallery of several photos taken by Ryoichi ‘Keroppy’ Maeda.
.
All images will enlarge to full size if you click on them.
Sources and References:
Ryoichi ‘Keroppy’ Maeda website: Keroppy Maeda
National Geographic Taboo: Extreme Bodies
Laughing Squid: ‘Bagelheads’ are Injecting Saline Into Their Foreheads to Create Trendy Bagel-Like Shapes
Most Watched Today: Japanese Bagelheads
Motley News 
Leave a reply to Shelly Jones Cancel reply