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In this seciton of the website, you will be able to find information on the traditional culture of Japan and the Pop Culture of Japan
Click to Enlarge photo of Japan
the source for this image is: music.3yen.com/2007-01-18/glay-love-is-beautiful/
This is an image of a famous pop-rock band called Glay. Their music contains addictive club beats and edgy guitar riffs. Along with their crazy stage presents this band appeals to the younger generation of Japan. This is what we are talking about when we talk about the Pop Culture of Japan. Pop Culture literally is the culture that pertains to the youth of Japan. It encompasses the newest trends, music, TV shows, and celebrities. There are magazines that cater to this idea of Pop culture; one in particular is called J-POP. Mean-less to say if you were looking for what the latest fashion styles in Japan were, you would need to look no further then magazines like J-POP or simply type up Japanese Pop Culture into a search engine and generally you will be able to find articles pertaining to the latest fashions and gossip of Japan.
Another popular aspect of Japanese Pop culture is the thriving trend of Japanese Animation, otherwise known as Anime. The Written form, or comic form of these rather interesting cartoons is called manga. Within the manga, it is divided into male and female manga. The female comics are called: Shojo, which literally translated means, "girl." Then there is the male comics which are called: Shonen, which literally translated means, "boy." This popular trend has had such a profound affect on the culture that many of these animations have influenced restaurants, fashion, the film industry, and even music. One anime in particular that has bridged the gap from fantasy to reality is the animation called NANA. It was written for a female audience, and the story revolves around two young women who meet by chance on the train on their way to start their new lives in Tokyo. They find out they share the same name, amongst other interests. Despite the fact that these women have very different styles a Friendship blooms: Nana O, is a young punk rock artist trying to make a new start with her band, and Nana H, is a young woman trying independence on for the first time. Along the way both women experience real life hardships: Nana O struggles with her band and their Rival Trapnest as well as losing the love of her life, Nana H realizes how vunerable she is and lonely despite having people around her that love her. The story continues with: many new characters, heartaches, reconciliation, celebration, surprises, and life long companionship. This story touched the audience of Japan so much that that there is a restaurant named after the favorite hangout of the characters in the manga, The Jackson Hole. As well as a restaurant there is two movies with live actors that act out the story. Lastly there are four major Japanese artists that have albums available inspired by the anime. This is just an example of some of the interesting trends that surround this culture.
Here are some images from the anime that I was talking about before. Some of the images are from the anime, some are from the movie, and then there is a picture of the famous Jackson's Hole restaurant.
The sources for these images: http://wwfw.watch.impress.co.jp/game/docs/20050315/nana02.jpg, http://www.my-cartoon.com.tw/nana/images/BLACKSTONES_000.jpg, http://img528.imageshack.us/img528/4424/bannernana2dn4.jpg, http://www.my-cartoon.com.tw/nana/images/trapnest_001.jpg, http://www004.upp.so-net.ne.jp/mcdls/nana/jacksonhole.jpg.
the source for this image:http://www.japan.ntu.edu.tw/photo/azulea06.jpg
This image shows what traditional Japanese royalty use to wear. The many layers of cloth that we see in the woman's outfit shows that they were exceedingly wealthy. In other words the more layers one wore the higher they were in the economic and social ladder. A great deal of ancient traditions are still upheld by the Japanese culture, such as the artesian group called the Geisha, but there are also a great deal of traditional values that have changed due to global interactions with other countries and the influences that they hold on the future generations. One thing that traditional value that is held highly in Japan is to have respect for one's elders. Whether this be your older sibling or your grandparents, the Japanese have a very strict patriarchal society. Another aspect of traditional values is that of education. Parents of Japanese student are adamant about the children getting into the best high school, cram schools, and colleges. They will often pay for their sons/daughters to get personal tutors. Education becomes a competing ground for students, as to who is the best of the best, and who can obtain the best future.
To learn more about Japanese culture, whether you are interested in traditional or pop culture you can check out these sites: http://www.japaneselifestyle.com.au/culture/culture.html(for a closer look at Traditional Japanese Culture), and http://www.mesharpe.com/pop_guide.htm (for a closer look at the Pop Culture of Japan)