I woke up this morning and suddenly remembered, completely out of the blue, performing in a Japanese TV commercial back in the early eighties. Don't know why it popped into my mind but it did. Of course there was no internet back then, no USB sticks, not even DVDs. I may have received a betamax copy or a VHS of the ad, but maybe not even that. Thirty one years after the event, I realise I may be able to find it. A bit of digging on YouTube and - voila - there it was.

It was a big deal at the time. I was living with my then girlfriend from art school (who would eventually become my wife, then my ex-wife) in Tokyo. We were both on the books at a modelling agency and she got a call to come in and audition for an ad that required dancing. She had written down dancing as a skill. (I hadn't. Mine were 'heavy thinking' 'abstract expressionism' and 'space invaders'.) I tagged along with her. It was in a dance studio. There were hundreds of people of all nationalities trying out. I may as wel join in, I figured and asked our manager to put my name down - said that of course I could dance! Any style! They shrugged and figured, why not. If he gets in too, it's an extra commission for us. Everyone loves an easy 20%.

Bianca did a great job, she looked great busting her moves in her leotards and long socks. (Guess what dance movie was a massive hit that year. Starts with 'Flash...') She got in on the first round. Easy. They told us it would be a three day, away shoot. All expenses paid. Plus a significant daily rate. My keenness was amplified. They only needed a few more from the callbacks. What I lacked in formal training, I made up in wild abandon and goofy charm. I made it in. I was the last choice. Yahoooo!

Break dancing was only just starting then in the US. They brought out four of the best from LA and NY. And they were amazing! I remember watching their moves, popping and locking, and being in complete awe. It was super cool and inspiring. 

The shoot, for the new Nissan Bluebird, starred a Japanese singing superstar. I forget his name now. Maybe Saijo Hideki or Julie. He was a nice guy. Wore a cool gold suit. Don't remember much about the other dancers. It was a fun few days, though. Being on set in this kind of ad usually is. Got to stay in a nice hotel with Bianca too. And everything was paid for. 

As well as the TV commercial they did some massive billboards in Ginza. I remember seeing it, towering about us, at the main intersection, as we exited the subway one afternoon. You could just make out the top of my head, jumping up like a popping Sex Pistol, and Bianca's right breast. We were famous! Well, at least rich. (Compared to before the shoot anyway.)

When I found the ad on my computer this morning, I was delighted. How funny. I had to rewatch it multiple times to even find myself. You can catch just a glimmer of me, twice. The one in the yellow singlet slightly left of the left side headlights around the 2' mark and again at the 22' mark. Bianca is behind me around the 4' mark, in her glorious purple sequined  one piece. I laughed when I saw it. Good times. Funny. And how cool to be able to wake up, remember it and be watching it minutes later, thirty years on.

Funny how the internet works. Machine gun effect. So much stuff from all over shoots out from your screen. You sit there waiting for the next hit that will resonate, intrigue, ignite...

I got one the other day. Bang! A forgotten memory revived. The picture above - a geisha girl holding an album by The Bay City Rollers - a Scottish band from the 70's.

It was 1978 -  I was seventeen, having fun on weekend nights in Tokyo. Discos were everywhere. My favourites were Mobius, Another World, Giza... all in Roppongi. Somewhere along the line I hooked up with this cuddly Japanese girl called Sachiko. She was a bit older than me - around 24 or so. We met in a disco and immediately she really liked me. She was glamorous and gorgeous, private and a little offbeat - a good combination in my books. I was thrilled by the attention. I think she worked as a high class escort/hostess but I didn't ask too many questions. She would always pay for drinks, club entry, everything - including the room cost in Japan's famous 'love hotels'. 

We didn't see each other all that often but when we did it was fun and exciting. She was like a pussy cat, very sensual, low key, but in control. 

One afternoon she rang me up and said that her and he friend, Noriko, were downtown in the Ginza at a 5star hotel. They had a suite there. It was where the Bay City Rollers were staying and she and Noriko had hoped to snag a shag with the one or more of the band. They had done the year before but it seems this year they were passed over for some new talent. 

She wondered if I'd like to come down and party with them for the night. And could I bring a friend? This was a unique and uplifting invitation. Even then, at a relatively young age, I knew that this kind of thing would not happen often. I cooly replied in the affirmative and began considering which one of my friends would be most appropriate in such a situation. The lucky winner was the son of the Spanish ambassador to Japan. His name was Luis. We were relatively new friends but I always liked his quiet confidence and his Latin charm. He was delighted by the invite and I picked him up from the embassy on my motorbike and we hurled ourselves towards the awaiting activities with anticipation and delight.

Sachiko came down to the lobby to meet us. There were a hundred or more Japanese groupies between the ages of 18 and 28. All of them looking to get a bit of Scot crooner action under the futon covers. Sach and her friend, realising the odds were not in their favour called in re-inforcements. Us. Some of the other girls got a little stirred up seeing two young foreign lads - but Sachiko quickly coralled us into the elevator and up to their suite. 

Noriko was not what I exprected. She looked like a cross between a goth and and a geisha. Her face was painted white and she had her eye area painted black. Her scarlet red lips where tiny and sensual, her hair was bound. She was dressed in sexy, bondage-looking white dress. She didn't say much - she was almost robotic - reminiscent of Daryl Hannah's android in Blade Runner. Luis and I were both impressed. 

Sachiko, ever the congenial hostess, kept the drinks flowing and it wasn't long until it was time to get naked. There was only one king size bed. We decided to partner up. I was keen to be with Noriko - exotic species that she was, and Sach and Luis were happy to get to know each other intimately. We each took one side of the giant bed. There was never any thought or suggestion of group sex - it wasn't of interest. But we were going swapping partners. (We were using condoms.) For me and Luis this was a first and rather thrilling. Both of them were extremely attractive.

Now. This is where reality came in. As much as I was aroused by Noriko on a visual level, it became quickly obvious that we had no chemistry. Her mouth was kind of dry and her kissing clumsy. She was the opposite to Sachiko - who was warm and squirmy, tactile and sensual. I couldn't help but feel disappointed. We went through the motions but it was going nowhere. Before too long, I suggested we swap. And we did.

Back in the familiar embrace of Sachiko, I felt relieved and reinvigorated. Ahhh. Much better. Meanwhile, Luis was getting into Noriko. I was sitting on the side of the bed with Sachiko straddling me, so I wasn't watching. To be honest, it was of no interest to me, I would have rather we had seperate rooms. From the noise, though, specifically Noriko's ever increasing moans - it became apparent that the two of them were a good match. She had gone from the Mummy to a screaming banshee. Sachiko was watching from her vantage point and enjoyed the show as we did our own passionate dance.

(This is starting to feel like I am writing a letter to Penthouse Forum! Speaking of the 70's - remember that?)

So..! What is my point? Why the sex confessional in the art blog? Well, it was a memorable experience at an formative age. I learnt that when fantasy and reality interact the result is usually a hybrid/compromise. No reality is ever as good as pure fantasy. Reality is just too gritty, messy, unpredictable, surprising. 

I also learnt that you can't fake - or make - chemistry with a woman. It's either there or not. Later that year I slept with a absolutely stunning half Japanese/half American model and it was a fizzer. Then I was seduced by a wild spirited, exchange student from Greece who was not great looking but absolutely blew my mind in bed. 

It's all about passion. Going with the flow. Adventure. Communion.