Japanese Music Culture

Yasumasa Morimura was born in Osaka, Japan 1951; before the end of the American Occupation and during the Korean War. It was at this time in Japan that society had become increasingly modernized and influenced by western culture. Subsequently, the foreign influence of Japan’s culture affected their culture, politics and education. With a westernized curriculum, much of the education focused on occident values, ideas, and art. Despite Japan’s rich history, much of the art history that was taught had originated from western culture.

People no longer use the term “Japanese American” in today's society. Instead, they are no longer thought as a separate group and are incorrectly categorized as “Asian American”, along with Vietnamese American, Chinese American, etc. Japanese Americans have an extremely unique background in terms of their origins, history, and struggle with racialization. Like many ethnic groups, Japanese Americans have been subjected to many different portrayals throughout American history. Even though cultural separation and suspicion are deemed as immoral, such practices toward them were thought to be necessary by the American Government. For a good amount of time, they suffered from racial hostility and violence. Now, in an age where cultural diversity

Music is a significant element in most lives it takes a role in most cultures people believe in. Music contains a variety of elements within different genres such as the pitch, rhythm, dynamics, timbre and the texture. Different voices and different kinds of instruments produce a variety of frequent

    Japan is a country of many cultures. Japan’s most renowned is the art of the samurai and currently, urbanization. Due to the American occupation in the pacific, Japanese moved from a cultural masterpiece, to an eastern constitutional monarchy. Which is generally effected by a western influence.

Music has been evolving since its creation. This evolution of music has led to a vast variety of music that all people can enjoy. Artists who make good music, are praised and revered for their talents, and recently this has led to many aspiring musicians who want to acquire fame and fortune through their music. In the United States music in constantly evolving, and in recent years this evolution of music has sped up to a very fast rate. Music has evolved for many reasons including, improved technology, and change in culture, and a desire to create something new.

Music is a major part of american culture and influences pretty much everything people do today. Music has been around for centuries and the world would not be the same without it. Music has inspired the American culture in various ways. It inspired us to dance, it inspired us to learn and overall music inspires us to live.

Japanese technology and culture is everywhere today; in my room alone I own a Nintendo 3ds, a Nintendo GameCube, PS3, a Toshiba laptop and nine box sets of Japanese anime, with a further three series downloaded on my iPod. That isn’t even including the book and manga series I own (some in the original Japanese, some translated into English.) Popular TV shows like Avatar: The Last Airbender now mimic Japanese style of cartoons, while we have outright adopted other shows as our own, such as Yu-Gi-Oh and Dragon Ball Z. In short, Japanese culture is everywhere, especially if you know where to look for it.

Music has been a part of every culture throughout history. Archaeologists have actually found drawings dating back to prehistoric times of people playing multiple instruments. Although the style of music differs very greatly between cultures, it is always worshiped by the people. For example, many Native American tribes would use music for ceremonies, expression, healing, and recreation. Not only did they use man made instruments but they would also use their own voices in large ways. Their singing would be passionate in order to grab the attention of the spirits. They always sang with a purpose and always had a meaning behind their music. It is important to understand the words and feelings behind the music in order to fully appreciate it.

This paper provided an opportunity to take a deeper look into the country of Japan by conducting a Global Cultural Analysis. Throughout this paper the following four research areas were explored: 1.What is the major elements and dimensions of culture in Japan? 2. How are these elements and dimensions integrated by locals conducting business in Japan? 3. How does U.S. culture and business compare with the elements and dimensions of culture integrated by the locals conducting business in Japan? 4. What are the implications for U.S. businesses that wish to conduct business with Japan?

Music is one way to define what culture someone belongs to. Whether they listen to songs that belong to their ethnicity or something with a particular meaning.

Music plays a large part in all cultures throughout the world. Music is used in varying ways, such as ceremonially, sacredly, and secularly. Pieces and genres of music are reflections of their time and society. Music has been used throughout its existence to inspire people, to do bigger and better things or to learn how to inspire other people. Music is as complex and diverse as the people who listen to it and the time periods from which it comes. With the expansion of technology in the world, came the expansion of music sound, view, and instrumentation. The Early Twentieth Century brought with it a new sound and an expanding ability to experiment with music.

In the early seventh century, Japan borrowed heavily from China, taking many ideas and philosophies. It was instituted by Prince Shotoku, the crown regent in Japan at the time. He sent emissaries to China during the reign of the Tang Dynasty, in a movement known as the Taika Reforms. During this time, Japan was influenced by China to unify the country in order to design a more developed country, evident with new infrastructure being created and a new system of government implemented.

Music plays an important rule in every culture,and in every individual's life. Music has molded our lives since the beginning of time. Music plays at an important role of birth and in the middle of every person's life, and at the ending of life. Music has affected me ever since I was born and it still does to this day.

So whilst some parts of the world stayed traditionalist, other parts were taking music to the next step. Western cultures have used music for almost every aspect of life. Music was used for entertainment, religion, war cries and important ceremonies. Some countries have unfortunately lost their culture and heritage thanks to more developed countries trying to expand their empires. A good example of this is when the indigenous Mexican people were murdered in their homeland by the invading Spanish – and replaced the traditional drums and flutes with more vibrant shakers and trumpets. It is no doubt that the way upper countries have acted has greatly affected the distribution of music worldwide.

As it was known for the culture to build music, nowadays different kinds of music build different cultures. Thus we have Pop culture, Rock culture, Electronic music culture etc.