Misplaced Pages

Visual kei: Difference between revisions

Article snapshot taken from Wikipedia with creative commons attribution-sharealike license. Give it a read and then ask your questions in the chat. We can research this topic together.
Browse history interactively← Previous editNext edit →Content deleted Content addedVisualWikitext
Revision as of 03:46, 23 August 2007 editDreaded Walrus (talk | contribs)Rollbackers12,391 edits rm Bebo fanclub← Previous edit Revision as of 02:55, 1 September 2007 edit undo219.90.223.197 (talk)No edit summaryNext edit →
Line 1: Line 1:
], 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"> {{nihongo|'''Visual kei'''|ヴィジュアル系|vijuaru kei|lit. "visual style"}} refers to a underground movement among some ], 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
| 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> 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 {{cite web
| last = Strauss | last = Strauss

Revision as of 02:55, 1 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 underground movement among some 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 visuals-conscious Western phenomena such as glam rock. 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. 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)
  2. ^ Reesman, Brian (2006-11-30). ""Kabuki Rock "". grammy.com. Retrieved 2007-08-07. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  3. Mascia, Mike. "Dir en grey feature interview". blistering.com. Retrieved 2007-08-07.
  4. Cite error: The named reference jmf_jrock was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. Monger, James Christopher. "All Music Guide biography of Dir en grey". allmusic.com. Retrieved 2007-07-31.
  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)
Japanese subcultures
Subcultures
Cultural phenomena
Stub icon

This Japan-related article is a stub. You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it.

Categories: