Japan's Empire of Cool 406
The Wicked Priest writes "The Washington Post is reporting that culture is among Japan's leading exports." Talks about Anime, Manga, Music, Video Games and so forth. Interesting reading.
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Japan's Empire of Cool
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With your bare hands?!?
Cultural Symbols vs. Culture (Score:5, Interesting)
In the end, reality is highly individualized and rarely is a culture made up solely of a selective portion of its symbols.
Yeah, that's interesting until you consider... (Score:5, Interesting)
Just take a walk throughout Shibuya, Shinjuku, Ueno or Akihabara. You'll find a massive number of japanese teenagers (and adults) wearing shirts with "engrish" on them. Music is often sprinkled with a hearty dose of engrish as well. Try watching their TV programs sometime, you'll find plenty of american culture. Of course, they like to take it and modify it to their own means and that's exactly what Japan has been doing forever.
This brings up an interesting question: Why are the Japanese so keen to take, modify and integrate other cultures to suit their needs, yet they're still incredibly racist of other cultures? If you doubt their racism, ask why they still have stores and places of business that advertise "Japanese Only"? Of course, for Americans it is a bit hard to understand the concept of being a distinct civilization since we've long been a melting pot, a nation made up of other nations.
But I'm getting off the point. This article is nothing new. The reason why collectables are so expensive overseas is that it's so damned expensive in Japan! Whenever you feel like complaining about the price of dvds, remember that they charge around 40-60$ per dvd, and usually it has half as much as a dvd here in America.
I talked to an exchange student from Japan... (Score:5, Interesting)
Although the one interesting bit of Japanese culture that's taking over like crazy is manga. If you look at Border's or Barnes, you'll see five or six shelves of Manga, and American comics have been pushed into one small shelf at the end. It's apparently the "in" thing for youngsters, much like Fear Street books were the "in" thing back when I was in school.
Food for thought...
Like this? (Score:5, Interesting)
Anime And The Tech Lifestyle [slashdot.org]
Movie Review: Princess Mononoke [slashdot.org]
An Extensive History of Anime [slashdot.org]
This story is not exactly a dupe, but much of it is discussed in these earlier topics.
OT, but has anyone had any success in loading
Re:The U.S. is a major exporter of culture as well (Score:5, Interesting)
We had the industrial revolution. Most of the economy went to the manufacture and distribution of manufactured goods. Food became a small percentage of the total economic output.
Now we are very very good at manufacturing stuff. Everything is so cheap now. TVs are cheap. Computers are cheap. Not long ago it was a big deal to buy these mass produced toys. Now they are impulse buy. For a while Japan led the world in this manufacturing revolution.
Are we getting to a point where manufactured goods are not so imporant anymore. Perhaps manufactured goods are becoming a smaller part of the world economy. "Cultural" products are becoming more important and now onece again we are competing with the Japanise.
Re:Soon to be modded down, oh well (Score:1, Interesting)
Look at a picture from Looney Tunes, yes, with a name like that, it just has to be epic. I could, blindfolded, reproduce a 95% authentic copy of the ultra low detailed animation, even though I have very little personal artistic ability. Now take something from Iria : Zeiram the animation, and try the same thing. There's more detail in Iria's hand than in an entire frame from Looney Tunes.
Yes there are bad Japanese examples, as well. Pokemon being the worst offender, the overall quality with this monster catching crap does seem to be pulling the overall animation quality down, which is a shame. But overall, I would have very much trouble finding a single US animation with half the detail and seriousness put into it as a Japanese counterpart.
I haven't even TOUCHED into storyline. Tell me, what's the most in depth storyline you got from US cartoons? Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Looney Tunes, Scooby Doo?
Animation doesn't have to be solely for infants and toddlers, that's a pathetic stereotyping. US animation is insulting to my intelligence. Now south park I'll watch, but let's not EVEN go into the animation quality there.
Please stop assuming that your hatred of anime is universal and that everyone here thinks like you.
I know you didn't read the article (Score:2, Interesting)
Re:Ruroni Kenshin... (Score:3, Interesting)
Not everything, but usually anything based on a successful manga that hasn't been drawn out too long is pretty good. (too long meaning Dragonball Z, or later episodes of Inu Yasha, which I stopped watching around episode 75 or so, and now it's up to 135) Sturgeon's Law still applies, but there is some filtering before it gets to a DVD on the shelf in Best Buy. Even when downloading fansubs, there is filtering when series don't get fansubbed.
The important difference is that they're a lot more willing to not follow a formula in Japan, so you get to see more unique stuff. And they have people who can write (unlike Hollywood). And they write serial stores instead of episodic stores, so they can have more interesting stories than you can get in 22 or 45 minutes. So instead of 90% of everything being crap, it's maybe 80% or so.
Re:It's because they're different (Score:2, Interesting)
I mean, Afghanistanimation is completely different from any TV programs here in the states, but that won't necessarily make it popular because it's not readily available.
And before you point this out, many of the Japanese programs are so convenient because they're so popular because they ARE cool. Not all of them, of course. Not even all of one show (e.g. DBZ has cool fights, but the sluggish pace makes the show unbearable).
OT, but do Japanese people really repeat the same thing with different phrasing several times in a row to get their point across? And do they always state the blatantly obvious? What about not saying a word except for indecernable grunts for nearly a minute while experiencing shock and awe over Frieza's latest transformation? Or are these just conveniences (annoyances, I'd say) for a younger audience? If you couldn't tell, I've gotten kinda annoyed with DBZ and I'm curious if Japanese watchers found these same things to be annoying =)
Re:War What Is It Good For? (Score:3, Interesting)
While I can't deny that the US occupation of Japan provided a massive exposure of American culture to Japanese people, Japan was already engaged in the importation of Western culture on a large-scale prior to World War II. When the Meiji Emperor (ruled 1868-1912) decided to modernize Japan, Japanese people began to learn very actively about the West. This activity centered on science and technology, where Germany, as the industrial and scientific leader became the focus of attention. Physicians trained prior to the end of WWII, for example, used textbooks written in German and frequently went to Germany to study. Into the 1960s, patient charts in some Japanese hospitals were written in German. Modernizers also adopted or proposed the adoption of many other aspects of European culture. One seriously proposed that the Japanese language be abandoned, to be replaced by French!
A curious forerunner was the developement, during the Tokugawa period (1615-1868), when Japan was largely cut off from foreign contact, of rangaku "Dutch Studies" (from Oranda "Holland" and Sino-Japanese gaku "study, -ology"). The Dutch were allowed to maintain a trading post on Dejima, then an island in Nagasaki harbor, so Japanese scholars interested in things Western focussed on the Dutch. Probably the most important thing to emerge from rangaku was knowledge of European medicine, particularly anatomy.
The US Occupation probably had much more impact on popular culture, but at a more academic and technological level, the importation of Western culture had already taken place.
Blade Rrunner and Giant Robots (Score:2, Interesting)
Over the past few years all things Asian have been building up popularity here in L.A. As witnessed by the growth of such new magazines as "Giant Robot" [giantrobot.com]. Perhaps we're moving towards Blade Runner world.
I for one am all for it. The Asian design since from Hong Kong and Japan is quite good, and it's time for them to stop regurgitating western culture and come into there own. There also seems to be a ground swell of radical art coming out of Japan. I read this as retaliation against a conformist culture. It's very exciting, I think we are in for ride the equivalent of America in the 60s.
fireJ-Pop = American meme (Score:3, Interesting)
This is a really encouraging phenomenon. Global culture flows bring us all together, giving us something in common. When we want to dance with each other, watch each other's movies, eat each other's food, we want to live together and talk about it. Only Hollywood sees the culture market as nationalistically competitive, because in Hollywood, culture is property is power, not to be shared, except at a self-perpetuating price. When people spread culture among ourselves, rather than from the centralized minaret of Hollywood, their power disappears. C'mon everybody, get down tonight!
America's leading export; poisonous culture (Score:2, Interesting)
Notice the best buy catologe that comes in the mail every year with the star of david on the tree replaced with the star of best buy and the entire tree decorated with consumer electronics? Notice how all the packaging mysteriously has christmas branding on them? How Saint Nick appears in every window and every store front advertising one thing or another?
In our culture, we eat poisoned food, use poisoned stuff (cosmetics, soaps, playstations, cell phones) and buy crap we don't need fulfill some lifestyle obsession gone wrong that is even more poisonous so that crazy people at the top of the ladder can feel powerful. Japanese culture is even more poisonous imo, they tend to mimic ours and run with it as far and as fast as possible. Infact, our number 1 export to japan after ww2 was our poisonous culture.
Our number 1 export to the rest of the world is poisonous culture, and to whoever resists that without force enough to fight it off, we'll kill the parents and teach the kids our ways like we're doing in afganistan. Afterall, there's a reason we warehouse our old off into care homes near the ends of their life; so the ones that know what's wrong can't teach their kids and grandkids what's realy wrong.
Re:Yeah, that's interesting until you consider... (Score:3, Interesting)
My wife is Japanese and when we go back to her parents house, I feel more at home in Japan than I do here in Los Angeles, CA. And I'm a white guy with blond hair!
But some of the foreigner's I worked with did feel out of place and had a few problems. But to be honest, I never experienced it.
I think alot has to do with attitude and pre-conceived notions about things. But with all things your mileage may vary..
And no I don't think Japan is perfect, it has a ton of problems. Expensive yes, but I found that Japanese produce is fresher, tastes better and looks better. Housing is expensive, but have you tried to buy a house in LA, or SF lately? A Japanese mortgage through a private lender will run you about 1.8 - 2.7% (depending on who you go to) ((4.5 if you go the govt.
Most companies pay for you're daily commuter fee if you take the bus, subway or train.
And personal income taxes are alot less for people making under 150k a year, than it is in the US. But if you make more than that you will get soaked more so than in the US.
But with all things....
Japan has been cool for years (Score:2, Interesting)
You should see how much a Mustang GT goes for!
Even though you may speak the language you will never be excepted. You are forever a Gaijin.
We have been exposed to Japanese culture/anime since the 60's, Speed Racer is a classic example.
I aggree with some of the posts above. America is a leader in cultural entertainment.
The Japanesse and the Koreans improve on exsisting ideas, American cars for example.
We(USA) can't make cars worth a shit anymore.
How is it that a country with no natural resources is able to make cars cheaper and better than America who have all the natural resources at our doorstep.
Re:Japan is a major importer of culture (Score:3, Interesting)
This is incorrect. While the Japanese certainly imported the Chinese writing system, there are no known or suspected linguistic links between Japanese and Chinese (indeed, given that Japanese is a multisyllabic, agglutinative language, and the Chinese languages are monosyllabic and highly tonal, it is hard to see how they could be more different). Most linguists classify Japanese as a language isolate (one with no known relatives), although some suspect it is distantly related to Korean and Mongolian, and a few group it in a family with Finnish, Estonian, and Turkish as well.
Comment removed (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:America's leading export; poisonous culture (Score:2, Interesting)
I noticed a picture up on BBC of afganistan children being given presents from santa this year, and if you understand the psychology of christmas you'll be frightened from that. Christmas such of a fucked up holiday it isn't even funny, as is easter.
No, I really don't see whats so "fucked up" about Christmas or the "terrible" psychology of giving GIFTS to these improverished children. Could you please elaborate?
Notice the best buy catologe that comes in the mail every year with the star of david on the tree replaced with the star of best buy and the entire tree decorated with consumer electronics? Notice how all the packaging mysteriously has christmas branding on them? How Saint Nick appears in every window and every store front advertising one thing or another?
Uh huh. Two words, SO WHAT?!
In our culture, we eat poisoned food, use poisoned stuff (cosmetics, soaps, playstations, cell phones) and buy crap we don't need fulfill some lifestyle obsession gone wrong that is even more poisonous so that crazy people at the top of the ladder can feel powerful.
Please define "poisonous food". Also, please show that this is unique to the American culture, or at least we consume this food to a greater degree than all other nations. Please do the same for "poisonous stuff". What is wrong with buying "crap" that fulfils some lifestyle obsession? Could you establish a criterion that determines when someone commits this most, in your eyes, "most poisonous act".
Japanese culture is even more poisonous imo, they tend to mimic ours and run with it as far and as fast as possible. Infact, our number 1 export to japan after ww2 was our poisonous culture.
Please explain how our culture is "poisonous" first.
Our number 1 export to the rest of the world is poisonous culture, and to whoever resists that without force enough to fight it off, we'll kill the parents and teach the kids our ways like we're doing in afganistan.
I guess you can't forsee that people might actually want to adopt our culture on their own freewill because they see the advantages of free enterprise and other aspects of the American culture.
Afterall, there's a reason we warehouse our old off into care homes near the ends of their life; so the ones that know what's wrong can't teach their kids and grandkids what's realy wrong.
Non-sequitar.
You discuss in your sig. about educating yourself. I suggest you take a class on persuasive argumentation beause your diatribe was netiher insightful or interesting. Until then, your thesis remains unproven.
Darwin, applied to culture (Score:3, Interesting)
Japanese culture is another big mover. Do I feel threatened or jealous about its recent popularity? Naw. Embrace and extend, that's our motto. We take the best parts of other cultures, integrate and expand on it, and then export it right back at them. Mind you, everyone else is welcome (nay, encouraged) to do the same.
Our culture is no more "poisonous" than anybody else's. It's just more awesome.
Name a Famous Japanese Person (Score:3, Interesting)
It's unfortunate that this guy is racking up some Troll and Flamebait mods since he's making a good point, albeit a bit inelegantly. There's a now-infamous poll that was given to Americans in 1995 which asked "Name a Famous Japanese Person". The results? #1: (Chinese martial artist) Bruce Lee. #2: (American-born) Yoko Ono. #3: Godzilla. I'm not kidding! I wish a good link to give you but if you're interested a bit of goolging will help you find people referring to this study.
Okay, so that was back in 1995. Ancient history, right? Give me a break. I bet if you give this question to 'the man on the street' again you'd get pretty much the same result. Obviously Japanese has made some incredible contributions to world culture. But until the day you can show the average American a photo of some famous Japanese celebrity and they can instantly recognize them, we should probably use a word other than "empire" to describe their impact in America.
GMD
Re:Darwin, applied to culture (Score:2, Interesting)
Nobody goes and forces people in other countries to go to McDonald's, to drink Coca-Cola, to watch the Matrix, or to wear blue jeans. These things spread because they're good. You can say that a McDonalds on every street in the world is disgusting (an assertion that is probably true), but they're not there because of some conspiracy--they're there because people patronize them.
Just as Japanese culture isn't "attacking" American culture, American culture isn't "attacking" European, Middle Eastern culture, etc.
It sounds dumb and jingoistic, but American culture isn't everywhere because of conspiracy, but because it's awesome and people like it.