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Revision as of 08:01, 8 September 2007 editPairadox (talk | contribs)6,491 edits finish rollback to sourced version← Previous edit Revision as of 08:12, 8 September 2007 edit undo219.90.146.98 (talk) Only two references had anything to do with Visual Kei itself, those references have been kept, and updated with correct information about the meaning of "Visual Kei", and its translation!Next edit →
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], an example of visual kei during the 1990s.]] ], an example of visual kei during the 1990s.]]
Visual kei 『ヴィジュアル系』which means "Visual System" in Japanese, refers to a subculture of rock music, originating from Japan. The Visual Kei sound is often a mix between pop music, Hard Rock, and heavy metal. It is often characterised by the use of feminine make-up worn by men, unusual hair styles and elaborate costumes.
{{nihongo|'''Visual kei'''|ヴィジュアル系|vijuaru kei|lit. "visual style"}} refers to a movement among ],<ref name="jmf_jrock">
⚫ Bands credited with starting Visual Kei, include X Japan, D'erlanger. and Dead End. <ref>http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D00EFD7103DF93BA25755C0A96E958260&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=all</ref>
{{cite web
| title = International Music Feed feature "J Rock"
| work = imf.com
| url = http://www.imf.com/link_player.html?video_id=2283
| accessdate = 2007-07-31
}}
</ref><ref name="amg_dir_en_grey">
{{cite web
| last = Monger
| first = James Christopher
| title = All Music Guide biography of Dir en grey
| work = allmusic.com
| url = http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:w9ftxql0ldde~T1
| accessdate = 2007-07-31
}}
</ref> that is characterized by the use of eccentric, sometimes flamboyant looks. This usually involves striking ], unusual hair styles and elaborate ]s, often, but not always, coupled with ] aesthetics.<ref name="nytimes_matsumoto">
{{cite web
| last = Strauss
| first = Neil
| title = "The Pop Life: End of a Life, End of an Era"
| work = nytimes.com
| date = ]
⚫ | url = http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D00EFD7103DF93BA25755C0A96E958260&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=all
| accessdate = 2007-07-31
}}
</ref><ref name="grammy_kabuki">
{{cite web
| last = Reesman
| first = Brian
| title = "Kabuki Rock "
| work = grammy.com
| date = ]
| url = http://www.grammylive.com/Latin/News/Default.aspx?newsID=2278
| accessdate = 2007-08-07
}}
</ref>


While most artists remain underground, some Visual Kei bands have achieved mainstream success in Japan, and throughout Asia. Notable bands that achieved this success include, X Japan, Glay, Luna Sea, and L'Arc~en~Ciel. However their mainstream popularity was achieved after changing from the stereotyped Visual Kei appearance, to a more commercially accepted appearance.
These looks have enjoyed popularity among ] underground projects, as well as artists achieving ] success, with influences from Western phenomena, such as ], ] and ].<ref name="grammy_kabuki" /><ref name="blistering_deg">{{cite web
In 1992, X Japan launched an attempt to enter the European and American markets, but it would take another 8 years until popularity and awareness of Visual Kei bands would reach worldwide.<ref>http://www.grammylive.com/Latin/News/Default.aspx?newsID=2278</ref>
| last = Mascia
| first = Mike
| title = Dir en grey feature interview
| work = blistering.com
| url = http://www.blistering.com/fastpage/fpengine.php/link/1/templateid/12842/tempidx/5/menuid/3
| accessdate = 2007-08-07
}}
</ref> The music performed encompasses a large variety of ], i.e. ], ] and ].<ref name="jmf_jrock" /><ref name="grammy_kabuki"/> Magazines published regularly in Japan with visual kei coverage are ''Arena 37°C'', ''Fool's Mate'' and '']''. Noted bands who at least at some point sported a visual kei theme include ],<ref name="amg_dir_en_grey" /> ]<ref name="ymusic_luna_sea">
{{cite web
| title = Luna Sea at Yahoo Music
| work = music.yahoo.co.jp
| url = http://music.yahoo.co.jp/shop/p/12/14750
| language = Japanese
| accessdate = 2007-08-21
}}
</ref> and ].<ref name="ymusic_malice_mizer">
{{cite web
| title = Malice Mizer at Yahoo Music
| work = music.yahoo.co.jp
| url = http://music.yahoo.co.jp/shop/p/12/15645/
| language = Japanese
| accessdate = 2007-08-21
}}
</ref>

Popularity and awareness of such groups outside of Japan is sparse, but has seen an increase in recent years. While the successful ] launched an attempt to enter the international market as early as 1992,<ref name="billboard_x_92>
{{Citation
| last = Duffy
| first = Thom
| title = Home and Abroad: Warner Marks X from Japan for Int'l Success
| newspaper = Billboard
| pages = p. 46
| date = ]
}}
</ref> it would still take another decade until live concerts and regular domestic releases by visual kei themed bands in Europe and North America came to pass.


==See also== ==See also==
* ] * ]
* ]
* ] * ]

==References==
{{reflist}}


{{Japanese subcultures}} {{Japanese subcultures}}

Revision as of 08:12, 8 September 2007

File:Malice Mizer - Au Revoir 01.jpg
Malice Mizer, an example of visual kei during the 1990s.

Visual kei 『ヴィジュアル系』which means "Visual System" in Japanese, refers to a subculture of rock music, originating from Japan. The Visual Kei sound is often a mix between pop music, Hard Rock, and heavy metal. It is often characterised by the use of feminine make-up worn by men, unusual hair styles and elaborate costumes. Bands credited with starting Visual Kei, include X Japan, D'erlanger. and Dead End.

While most artists remain underground, some Visual Kei bands have achieved mainstream success in Japan, and throughout Asia. Notable bands that achieved this success include, X Japan, Glay, Luna Sea, and L'Arc~en~Ciel. However their mainstream popularity was achieved after changing from the stereotyped Visual Kei appearance, to a more commercially accepted appearance. In 1992, X Japan launched an attempt to enter the European and American markets, but it would take another 8 years until popularity and awareness of Visual Kei bands would reach worldwide.

See also

Japanese subcultures
Subcultures
Cultural phenomena
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  1. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D00EFD7103DF93BA25755C0A96E958260&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=all
  2. http://www.grammylive.com/Latin/News/Default.aspx?newsID=2278
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