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], an example of visual kei during the 1990s.]] ], an example of visual kei during the 1990s.]]
{{nihongo|'''Visual kei'''|ヴィジュアル系|vijuaru kei|lit. "visual style"}} refers to a movement among ],<ref name="jmf_jrock">
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.
{{cite web
⚫ 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>
| 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>


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
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.
| last = Mascia
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>
| 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 08:15, 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, vijuaru kei, lit. "visual style") refers to a movement among Japanese musicians, that is characterized by the use of eccentric, sometimes flamboyant looks. This usually involves striking make-up, unusual hair styles and elaborate costumes, often, but not always, coupled with androgynous aesthetics.

These looks have enjoyed popularity among independent underground projects, as well as artists achieving mainstream success, with influences from Western phenomena, such as glam, goth and cyberpunk. The music performed encompasses a large variety of genres, i.e. pop, heavy metal and electronica. Magazines published regularly in Japan with visual kei coverage are Arena 37°C, Fool's Mate and Shoxx. Noted bands who at least at some point sported a visual kei theme include Dir en grey, Luna Sea and Malice Mizer.

Popularity and awareness of such groups outside of Japan is sparse, but has seen an increase in recent years. While the successful X Japan launched an attempt to enter the international market as early as 1992, 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

References

  1. ^ "International Music Feed feature "J Rock"". imf.com. Retrieved 2007-07-31.
  2. ^ Monger, James Christopher. "All Music Guide biography of Dir en grey". allmusic.com. Retrieved 2007-07-31.
  3. Strauss, Neil (1998-06-18). ""The Pop Life: End of a Life, End of an Era"". nytimes.com. Retrieved 2007-07-31. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  4. ^ Reesman, Brian (2006-11-30). ""Kabuki Rock "". grammy.com. Retrieved 2007-08-07. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  5. Mascia, Mike. "Dir en grey feature interview". blistering.com. Retrieved 2007-08-07.
  6. "Luna Sea at Yahoo Music". music.yahoo.co.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved 2007-08-21.
  7. "Malice Mizer at Yahoo Music". music.yahoo.co.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved 2007-08-21.
  8. Duffy, Thom (1992-09-05), "Home and Abroad: Warner Marks X from Japan for Int'l Success", Billboard, pp. p. 46 {{citation}}: |pages= has extra text (help); Check date values in: |date= (help)
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