Domingo 12 Abr 2009, 19h:57

The term ‘J-‘.

In the Music scene there has been an increase usage of the term ‘J-‘. Especially in rock music, but also other genres. There are labels such as ‘j-electronica’, ‘j-darkwave’ or ‘j-pop’. Even in other genres than music they use the term ‘J-‘. For example, in gaming there is a clear separation between Japanese games and Western games. In the role playing genre we even speak of ‘J-RPG’ and Western Rpg. The question is, is this separation between Japanese music and Western music really necessary?

In the case of Rock music I believe it isn’t necessary to make a separation between Japanese music and non-Japanese music. There are really plenty of Japanese rock bands who basically copy the western genres and fused their own visual ‘idea’ of a rock band. This started with bands such as X-Japan or BUCK-TICK who are highly influenced by Western Heavy Metal. They added their own visual interpretation by cross-dressing and the ‘protocol’ visual kei image. Which is pushing the limit even further than the Western Heavy Metal acts. The music of X-Japan is basically an Iron Maiden, or a Judas Priest, but more focused on an emotional feel, and the visual image. Something that is completely normal in Japan. Is it necessary to make a separation because the music is more focused on the image, or focused on the emotions? I believe it isn’t necessary. Essentially the music, as composition, is exactly the same as a western composition. Therefore, western rock is the same as Japanese rock and Japanese rock should be tagged as rock.

However, it’s different in electronica. The main problem is the usage of the term ‘darkwave’. In the western world bands such as Clan of Xymox or Das Ich are labelled as darkwave. However, the term is also used for the electronic side of the visual kei genre in Japan. Bands such as Velvet Eden, Aural Vampire or Schwarz Stein are easily labelled as darkwave. Is this terminology really correct? Bands such as Velvet Eden and Schwarz Stein are closer to synthpop. Especially acts like Aural Vampire or Yousei Teikoku are obviously synthpop from a western point of view. From a Japanese point of view they are darkwave. This creates a confusion that doesn’t have a solid answer. The western fans of these bands tend to use the term ‘J-darkwave’ or just darkwave for these bands. The Japanese musicians just go for darkwave or electronica. In this situation the usage of ‘J-‘ seems to be useful. Since the term ‘darkwave’ has two different meanings because they developed separately on two different places in the world.

J-pop and Western pop are almost identical to each other, besides the language. Is it necessary to use the term ‘J-‘ for a genre that solely separate itself by language? In my opinion that isn’t necessary because the music is exactly the same. The compositions have the same structure, there is a strong focus on a commercial success, and in both cases the musicians are portrayed as idols. A separation would be necessary when there is a clear difference between both styles. The Japanese language sound different. The focus on timbre and the structure of words are different, but that alone wouldn’t make it a separate genre. Since the structure of words are different in every language. We can’t use different tags for pop music in every language, that’s why we should stick to pop. It should be stated that the only unique factor of J-pop compared with western pop music is its usage in anime. J-pop has been used as background music, as intro and outro songs, and general fan service in anime. However, even while the entire atmosphere screams ‘Japan!’. It’s normal pop music.

The Japanese people started to explore Western art music. Classical music has been a big fascination for the Japanese people. The only modern classical composer they spawned was the composer Toru Takemitsu. The composer who mixed Japanese instruments with a western orchestra. For classical music, we should focus on their composers for game music. Honestly, there has been plenty of Japanese composers who composed amazing classical compositions for video games. We all like Nobuo Uematsu, but also a composer like Koji Kondo or Motoi Sakurabahas eternalize their names in the history books. Even in games that are even rare in Japan itself – the compositions for those games are highly impressive. Gust Sound Team, the varied composers for the Suikoden games, Yasunori Mitsuda for the Xeno games, they have all showed their unique skills in classical music. This type of music get the tag ‘video game music’. This label is vague and inaccurate. Saying that Nobuo Uematsu and Shoji Meguro composed the same type of music is ridiculous, so tagging them with the same name is wrong. Is a composition from Uematsu different than a composition from Mozart? It isn’t, the composition is just ‘video-gamed’, but besides that it has the same structure and thoughts of a classical composition. The melody is focused on the type of theme it is. Same for the choice of instruments. Village themes get instruments like lutes and violins, while battle themes are more based on guitar, trumpets or synthesizers. Maybe the themes are different, but the compositions are similar. Therefore, it isn’t necessary to make a separation.

The term ‘J-‘ has an obvious function as a subculture. Japanese culture functions as a subculture for Western people. Liking anime, J-rock, and manga are requirements for this subculture. Dressing like a Gothic Lolita(both male and female) is normal, and cosplaying is highly encouraged. Among teenagers and young adults between the age of 12 to 25 it formed a subculture that’s about adoring the Japanese culture in a subjective way. Believing the Japanese culture is better, or superior, to western culture. I believe this culture also spawned the term J-. the term to separate ‘their’ music with ‘other’ music. A schoolbook example of a subculture’s mentality.

All these facts can only lead to one conclusion. The term ‘J-‘ isn’t necessary in the modern view on music. Japanese music isn’t different from western music, and therefore they should be categorized in the same way. As for electronica. I think it should be categorized from a western point of view. A lot of Japanese darkwave bands would become either industrial bands or synthpop bands. Personally I am fascinated by how the ‘Japanese culture subculture’ like to separate themselves from the mainstream, but eventually they are just another subculture in this big sea of cultures, and shouldn’t use artifical terms to categorize their culture.