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Talon DeRocco
Mr. Hull
Honors English II

Japanese Influence
Pop culture is influencing the world at a fast rate, but Japanese culture
is also on the rise. Japanese culture is taking the world by storm with
influences in different categories. The influence has effected the world
through the music industry, media, such as television, books, and video
games and lastly, social gatherings and merchandise, fashion and toys.
Japanese culture is growing around the world not just in North America, but
in places such as India and Germany. As technology advances, it is easier to
communicate and get influenced by other cultures a lot easier than before.
Music is energizing and a great way to be creative and also
revolutionary (Mannes 9). Japanese music has been around since the 700s
and is still well known today. As a matter of fact, it originated in 718 during
the Nara Period. It is the earliest known form of music, but it did not start in
Japan. In fact, it came from a combination of countries, such as India, China,
and Korea. A court meeting was held in a Japanese town and the townsfolk
overheard the music that was playing in the court and eventually, the towns
people fell in love with the idea of music and began to create various types
of it. They made vocal music, dramatic music, and Buddhist chants. Vocal
music had lyrics and meanings behind them. Dramatic music was used in

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plays and theater arts. Finally, the Buddhist chants are melodies that go with
sutras, or a rule in Sanskrit scripture. As time kept going on, the music
began to lose outside influences and became solely Japanese (McInerney).
There are plenty of different genres of music in Japan. It varies from
classical to pop and even to rock music. For example, Kayokyoku music from
an era called the Meiji Era. It began in 1868 and lasted until 1912. Kayokyoku
is an attempt at making American pop music, but in Japanese. This attempt
failed, but there were some chart toppers that were made. Kayokyoku was
famous in Japan, but it did not receive as much attention as producers
thought it would. One form that is still listened to today is the Enka. Enka
started in 1926 and its popularity lasted until 1989. It started on the streets
and is now classified as classic music (Chapuy). During World War II,
prisoners of war accidentally heard American rock music and wanted Japan
to be a part of that. As a result, the Japanese tried making rock music and
was not a big success as hoped (Fukuya). Instead, they transitioned to pop
music. Kayokyoku was the most popular form but, kayokyoku was not the
only form they tried to make. The prisoners of war called Japanese pop music
J-Pop. Kayokyoku silenced J-Pop and dominated pop music until the late
1980s. In the 1990s, J-Pop relaunched their music and got a very massive
following. As a result, it eventually came to America and the rest of the world
and now it is currently a success (web-japan).
The influence this culture has is not strictly music. Japan has a lot of
influence on the media, such as television, books and comics, and even

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video games. Anime is a genre that is appealing to all ages. It ranges from
television shows to movies. There is even music videos based on specific
characters. Anime is typically an animated television show or movie that is
more serious and graphic than the typical cartoon. The genres vary from
different anime. There are crime, fantasy, science fiction, horror, mystery,
action, comedy, drama, suspense, educational, and so many more
(Goldberg). Japan has made many original animes, such as Pokmon,
Bleach, Naruto, Fairy Tail, Sword Art Online, and so on. The United States airs
Pokmon (Kaori) and produced the successful series Avatar: The Last Air
Bender based of Japanese and Chinese culture. Although, not all animes are
accessible through standard television, so they have to be viewed online.
Japanese influence is worldwide. In fact, India actually favors Japan over
other Asian countries. This influence is growing massive popularity and
trending in the manga and anime field. India started to create fan clubs and
associations dedicated to Japanese influence. Although, manga is primarily in
Japanese, India actually translate the books and shows into Hindu
(Pilladmarr).
Another type of platform the Japanese use for influence is books, more
specific comic-books. They made their own special comics were you read
from right to left, feature multiple comic strips in various orders, (one will be
on top, two will be below one, and three would be next to one) and are called
manga. These comics are pretty much the same as the anime, show, or
movie but with slight variations. For example, in the Pokmon anime the two

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antagonists are not a couple, but in the manga they are married. Being that
as it is, Japan categorized the types of manga based on age groups and
genders. Manga meant for girls is called Shoujo, manga meant for boys are
called Shounen. They even have a business man manga that is called
businessmen (Goldberg). There are so many different forms of these books
that there is one out there for everyone. Manga and anime are so popular in
the western world that they have parodies or references about a specific
show. South Park on Comedy Central has Chinpokomon an obvious reference
to the popular Japanese icon, Pokmon. Austin Powers had a reference where
people were dressed up as Pikachu and other Pokmon running away from a
Godzilla look-a-like (Kaori).
Video games are also influenced by the Japanese media. As stated,
Video game producers designed characters to look like anime characters, but
with unique styles. They use the color pink which is iconic to Japan. They use
words such as kawaii which means cute, or senpai which translate to
someone you look up to or one before you. The characters in anime style
based games are usually portrayed as big eyes, colored hair (examples:
purple, pink, blue hair), thin black outlines on characters, and shadows and
highlights (Sullivan and Ashcraft). Common styles of this type of gaming are
visual novels, dramatic, simulators, and puzzle games. Visual novels are
video games that have graphics like a novel. Dramatic games are games
that induce strong feelings or emotions. Simulators are visual
representations of a specific action or actions. For instance, driving

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simulator, dating simulator, goat simulator just to name a few. Puzzle games
can range anywhere from crosswords to trading card games, they do not
necessarily have to be video games (Bilgihan).
Japan is widely known for its art style and different gathering spots for
groups of various hobbies and passions. Following anime, Japan started
multiple conventions that many people attend. For instance, the events
usually consist of people dressing up in costumes, roleplaying, or just getting
together with friends and strangers and talking about different topics. The
most famous conventions that were started are anime conventions. They
started out in Japan and eventually the rest of the world joined in. There are
conventions all over world, especially in the United States; the most famous
being San Diego Comic Con. These cons have celebrity panels, movie
trailers, merchandise from anime, manga, US comic books, movies, posters,
and so much more. There are over 155 conventions and organizations on
Anime alone (Kopf). People who go to conventions often wear costumes that
represent their character or some type of icon from a specific series or
movie. They might also act like or play the character they are portraying.
This is called cosplaying (McIsaac). Cosplaying came into popularity in the
1990s. Cosplaying is so popular there is even a show called Heroes of
Cosplay. These conventions that the Japanese started are not just about
dressing up and seeing celebrities. They give inspiration to men and women
alike. Women can wear a mans outfit and weapon without having to feel
judged. Men can wear womens clothing and not be mocked or feel insecure

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about it. (Chiaramonte and Santos) They help people feel more secure with
themselves and feel accepted because they are not the only ones doing it.
Usually women cosplay because it builds confidence, makes them feel
feminine and strong, and it is fun to do Tanisha Robinson said, I feel
empowered because she kicks butt and handles her own on the subject of
her cosplay of Silk Spectre II from Watchmen (Amatulli).
Influence over architecture was a huge success. The designs and
layouts of Japanese architecture is very relaxing and grabs attention from
passersby. Palaces and ceremonial buildings are meant to be relaxing and
tasteful for the occupants. Usually buildings have an outdoor space and look
colorful or sophisticated. (Young 13). Germany has a tower called "Vitra
Conference Pavillon" it is a conference room that has big windows to look out
and for natural light to shine in. They call the art Zen which means simple or
empty (Hashi). This architecture also has rock gardens that calms the mind
as water runs down the rocks. These influenced many countries. It even got
awards for it. These rock gardens were inspired by the Shinto and Buddhist
religion. The gardens sometimes have flower arrangements on them to give
the space a more relaxing and soothing atmosphere (Hashi).
The marketing in Japan is very diverse and unique compared to the
western world. Japan is usually iconic for its clothing and makeup, strange
toys, and food markets. First off, makeup in Japan is much different than
American products. Japan has makeup that covers up wrinkles and help
prevent them. Meanwhile America only has makeup to make them less

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visible. The downside to Japanese makeup is that it is typically white and if
put on someone with a tan or darker skin complexion then the results will not
be the same. The result will make it look chalky and make you look like you
have multiple skin colors (Sanchanta). Clothing in Japan is quite unusual to
most Americans. The summer trend in 2014 was bucket hats, platform
shoes, underwear over top of their clothing, and faux fur sandals (Tokyo
Fashion). Bucket hats are typically used for fishing and keeping sun out of
your eyes. In United States, we usually wear fur boots or fur slippers. The US
hardly ever wears fur sandals.
Japan is not really famous for its toys, but they do have creative ones.
Examples of these toys consist of a Barack Obama action figure, Roadkill Cat,
a Face Bank (a miniature rubber brick wall that has a face with a functioning
mouth that eats coins and makes belching noises), and much more (Hesse).
These toys might not be so popular in the United States, but people still buy
them. They have stuffed animals of characters from different animes and
games. The food in Japan is different too. You can buy fresh food at a
wholesale market. A wholesale market is a marketplace that has fresh meat,
fish, fruit, and every day groceries that are either locally obtained or shipped
from overseas (Berger Asa 120-132). Sometimes in these markets, they cut
the meat or fish right in front of you. (Japan-Guide). Countries are slowly
developing these wholesale markets. The United States have wholesale
stores but not many markets. It is an easier way to get food, meet new
people, and have a business at the same time. It would be great for the

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economy and really help out people. They would have more free time and
money to spend time with their family and friends.
In conclusion, Japanese culture is not only in America or Japan. It
effects the entire world. Whether it is through the music industry or media or
even in architectural structures. Japan is a big inspiration all over the world
and keeps bringing new things to light. Countries should try to embrace what
the Japanese has to offer to society and be unique and creative.

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