Japanese New Culture

Hi,you! This is the THIRD section of my presentation about Japan. If you REALLY want to start from the beginning, move back to the "Discovery Japan" section! Thank you☆

Now, let’s see the new Japanese culture. I picked three of them which influence U.S. First, Manga! Manga is a Japanese word for comics and cartoons. Some of them are so popular that you can see these animated versions on American TV. I have a friend who is a thirteen-year-old junior high student. She wants to study Japanese because she loves Inuyasha(A manga's title)! I guess you have seen the Pokemon’s, or Dragon Ball’s pictures. Not only American, but also many European, South American, or Asian people know Japanese manga animations a lot. I think people who are engaged in Manga animations are very influential Japanese ambassadors. We can’t imagine how greatly Japanese Manga animations effect young people all over the world.

Second…if you don’t know how to greet in Japanese, you know this Japanese word…Karaoke! We say, Karaoke. But you pronounce it, Karaoki? Anyway, Ka-ra-o-ke is an original pronunciation. Whenever I read the TGIF in Friday’s newspaper, I can find some advertisement of Karaoke nights at clubs or bars.

However, in Japan, the most popular Karaoke style is the Karaoke Compartment style. We call the place “Karaoke Box.” Basically, Japanese are shy people. So we don’t want to sing in front of many unfamiliar people. Thus, we go to the Karaoke Compartment! Depending on how many people you have, you can choose the size of the compartment. This room in the first picture is for 5-6 people. I love Karaoke! Sometimes I go to there in group of over ten, but sometimes with one friend who also loves singing. Then, we can sing for several hours! The Karaoke Compartment is very comfortable. You can order drinks or food.

Also, Japanese Karaoke machines are really advanced. I took the second picture when I went to a Karaoke compartment in Japan last month. This is a remote control of a Karaoke machine. Of course you can change the key of the music, and you can add the “applause” sounds when you want to have applause. If you are not sure of the melody, push “the guide melody” button. The machine will emphasize the guide melody. If you want, the machine can grade your singing! Whether you are in tune, or have the right vibration, rhythm, dynamics, and so on!

There is one Karaoke Compartment in West Lafayette. It’s not Japanese, but Korean. The name is Jojo. They have Korean songs, Japanese songs, and American songs. If you want to enjoy Karaoke among friends, I recommend you check it out!

Third, Japanese fashion. The right picture is Japanese high school girl’s uniform. However, nowadays, some girls create their original clothes based on the uniforms, and wear them in private! If you visit Harajyuku, which is in Tokyo, you can see many fancy, flashy girls. Actually…Do you know who Gwen Stefani is? Yes, she is a popular American pop singer and one of the American fashion icons!! She said her fashion had been inspired by the Harajyuku girls. In the album, “Love.Angel.Music.Baby,” there is a song whose title is “Harajyuku Girls.”