Araki. Tokyo Lucky Hole

In 1978, an unremarkable café near Kyoto became the center of attention when news spread that its waitresses weren't wearing underwear beneath their short skirts. This novelty quickly caught on, leading to similar venues appearing nationwide. Men queued eagerly, willing to pay thrice the usual coffee price for the experience of being served by scantily clad young women.

As the trend evolved, it gave rise to the no-panties "massage" parlors, offering increasingly eccentric services such as fondling through coffin-like structures and catering to commuter-train obsessions. Among these, a Tokyo establishment named "Lucky Hole" gained particular fame. Here, patrons would be separated from a hostess by a plywood barrier featuring an opening just large enough for intimate encounters.

Renowned photographer Nobuyoshi Araki adopted "Lucky Hole" as the title of his work, chronicling Japan's thriving sex industry. His collection, featuring over 800 images, captures the vibrant hedonism found in Tokyo’s Shinjuku district. This was just before the implementation of the New Amusement Business Control and Improvement Act in February 1985, which curtailed many of these establishments. Through reflections, sheets, bondage scenes, and wild gatherings, Araki’s photography presents a vivid endnote to an era of indulgence, interwoven with humor, stark elegance, and contemplative remarks.