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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==
* ] * ]

* ]
* ] * ]


Revision as of 08:14, 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

References

  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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