“Culture relativism…places a priority on understanding other cultures rather than dismissing them as ‘strange’ or ‘exotic’.”(Schaefer 2008, p.71) Schaefer also mentions that this does not mean we must accept every cultural variation. This topic personally resonated with me because it reminded me of how I took the role of a “Japanophile.” In High School, like everyone else, I was trying to find myself and a place to belong to. As my friends and I broadened our music tastes we discovered what was called visual kei. This is a type of fashion movement that Japanese rock musicians wear. It is as important to them as the music they make. It can be related to that of the Glam rock of the 1980s.
This was a huge culture shock to me. I couldn’t understand why straight men would wear these clothes,make up, kiss onstage and why it was so popular in general. This was my first encounter with Japanese culture. I later learned that the visual kei movement started in the 90s and was influenced by the glam rock of the 1980s and has since then evolved. The reasons for all the onstage kissing and girly lolita outfits were all a service for the fans. Japanese fangirls eat it up.
This is Malice Mizer they were one of the first pioneers in the movement. (Rocky Horror much huh?)
Since then the look has become more modernized and range from
a more sugary pop fashion. (make you want to fart rainbows yet?)
To a neutral, slightly darker, visual Kei.(they are singing in english btw)
And melancholy/gloomy Visual Kei.(Am I blowing your mind yet? ;))
Of course there is also normal Japanese Indie rock that is good to listen to as well.
This was a huge culture shock to me. I couldn’t understand why straight men would wear these clothes,make up, kiss onstage and why it was so popular in general. This was my first encounter with Japanese culture. I later learned that the visual kei movement started in the 90s and was influenced by the glam rock of the 1980s and has since then evolved. The reasons for all the onstage kissing and girly lolita outfits were all a service for the fans. Japanese fangirls eat it up.
This is Malice Mizer they were one of the first pioneers in the movement. (Rocky Horror much huh?)
Since then the look has become more modernized and range from
a more sugary pop fashion. (make you want to fart rainbows yet?)
To a neutral, slightly darker, visual Kei.(they are singing in english btw)
And melancholy/gloomy Visual Kei.(Am I blowing your mind yet? ;))
Of course there is also normal Japanese Indie rock that is good to listen to as well.
(I think all songs are really good so you should give them a try)
I later became to love Japanese culture, fashion, media, and traditions. Opening myself to a whole different world also opened my mind to the rest of the world and taught me to look at things from that persons's/society's perspective. I decided that I wanted to become someone who was not ignorant and thought about how I could better myself and learn about our world in general. I still do not know what I want to do in my life since reality hits and as much as you would like to learn several languages and help impoverished nations, life does not work out that way. Or at least I can't find a way to learn japanese, french, korean, italian, vietnamese, and other cultures, and make a "proper" living out of it. I always say that I want to do it all and be a football, fighting, king in space. ;D With a mustache!
In all seriousness though I think it is good for all of us to expose ourselves to lots of cultures and people so we can learn to respect others values, norms, and traditions instead of being so ehtnocentric and barging into another country without brushing up on what the do's and don't's are. For example, Japanese people are very respectful of others and bowing is traditional when greeting as well and this level of respect for others show in their language as well. When referring to high level status people like doctors and teachers you call them sensei, when it is someone that is in a grade/level higher than you you refer to them as your senpai. San is also the title of respect added to the name of someone older. Kun is added to names when they are younger or the same age as you. Chan is added to children's names and sama is the highest level of respect. Just goes to show how much you should learn about a country if your ever on a business trips for example.
On a side note by listening to Japanese music I learned that music transcends language and we should all give music from other countries around the world an open mind by concentrating on melodies more than words.
I later became to love Japanese culture, fashion, media, and traditions. Opening myself to a whole different world also opened my mind to the rest of the world and taught me to look at things from that persons's/society's perspective. I decided that I wanted to become someone who was not ignorant and thought about how I could better myself and learn about our world in general. I still do not know what I want to do in my life since reality hits and as much as you would like to learn several languages and help impoverished nations, life does not work out that way. Or at least I can't find a way to learn japanese, french, korean, italian, vietnamese, and other cultures, and make a "proper" living out of it. I always say that I want to do it all and be a football, fighting, king in space. ;D With a mustache!
In all seriousness though I think it is good for all of us to expose ourselves to lots of cultures and people so we can learn to respect others values, norms, and traditions instead of being so ehtnocentric and barging into another country without brushing up on what the do's and don't's are. For example, Japanese people are very respectful of others and bowing is traditional when greeting as well and this level of respect for others show in their language as well. When referring to high level status people like doctors and teachers you call them sensei, when it is someone that is in a grade/level higher than you you refer to them as your senpai. San is also the title of respect added to the name of someone older. Kun is added to names when they are younger or the same age as you. Chan is added to children's names and sama is the highest level of respect. Just goes to show how much you should learn about a country if your ever on a business trips for example.
On a side note by listening to Japanese music I learned that music transcends language and we should all give music from other countries around the world an open mind by concentrating on melodies more than words.
Okay by the way the Dir en Grey video (the disturbing video) is about abortions. If you look up the English lyrics it makes sense :/ Visual Kei is also a form of art which is objective...if this helps.^^;
ReplyDelete