Temasek Polytechnic Japanese Cultural Group

Fact of the Week
Credit to Research Team: Naqiyah Ahmad Murad
Visual Kei (ヴィジュアル系)

Greetings everyone! How are your exams going? I hope it hasn’t been too tough on you! Don’t give up, you’re almost done! This week, I’ll be sharing about one of Japan’s unique musical genre. Now, I think we can all agree that music have been one of the greatest impact on our lives, well for me it is. Music itself has its own evolution. So what does Japan has to offer us? Let me introduce to you, Visual Kei.

Visual Kei is a type of movement among Japanese musicians that is mostly characterized by their appearance and loud but totally awesome good music. You may be able to recognize them by their heavy make-up, vibrant hair styles and intense yet beautiful fashion appearances. They are similar to that of Western Glam Rock. Visual Kei is not just a music genre, it is a way to express one’s self, hence the fashion and explicit lyrics for some. It’s the message in their music that’s more important than the genre that they play. What are some iconic bands that have made contributions to this movement?

X Japan: Toshi, Taiji, Yoshiki, Pata, hide

One of the pioneer and most iconic band is the one and only X Japan. They’ve sold over 30 million records worldwide and made the biggest change in music evolution in Japan. They are one of the first bands to achieve mainstream success while on an independent label, which is a big deal. They have made an impact on a lot of new generations of visual kei bands in Japan such as Dir en grey and The Gazette. You can learn more about them in their documentary “We are X”. WARNING: If you’re a huge fan of this band like I am, then prepare lots of tissues when watching the movie.

Bucktick: Hisashi Imai, Yutaka Higuchi, Atsushi Sakurai, Hidehiko Hoshino, Toll Yagami

Another iconic and founders of visual kei is Buck-Tick. Buck-Tick wasmostly strongly influenced by British post-punk bands such as The Sex Pistols. They are also famous for the erotic decadence in the lyrics and the vocalist’s, Atsushi Sakurai’s, distinctive rich baritone voice.

The musical style of visual kei bands could range from heavy metal to classic to pop. However as I’ve said earlier, they’re mainly known for metal. In recent years, most visual kei bands have changed their appearances to suit the likings of western audiences. But it’s not completely dead, thankfully. Modern visual kei bands such as Sug and Versailles still embrace the culture.

Some may argue whether Visual Kei should be placed under J-Rock. The answer is both Yes and No. It’s really up to the individual’s perspective of these two. I would say no as J-Rock is genre that focuses on musical style while visual kei focuses on the message that the bands wants to share with the audience. Do you agree?

You can check out most of the visual kei bands here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_visual_kei_musical_groups

Dir en grey: Toshiya, Kaoru, Kyo, Shinya, Die

My personal favourite visual kei band is Dir en grey, what is yours?

References:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visual_kei
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X_Japan
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buck-Tick#Music_style
http://www.cnbinggui.net/367142-dir-en-grey.html

Fact of the Week
Prefecture: Whole of Japan
Credit to Research Team: Dzarif

Japan Railway System & JR Company

Hello everybody! How are your submissions and presentations going? There is still two weeks till study break. For those who have examinations upcoming, all the best and study hard! For those who don’t, enjoy your extended holiday! Yorokobe, shounen.

This time, I’ll be talking about the train system in Japan, focusing on the JR line. There are many railway systems in Japan. However, the JR Line is the main and only railway system that stretches to almost all of Japan, excluding Okinawa. It is run by the Japan Railways Group (JR Group), made up of 6 commercial companies. It took over the Japanese National Railways (JNR) in 1987, a government-owned company, after the JNR declared bankruptcy and was debt-ridden during the period of an economic downturn. However, after taking over, by implementing new policies and a major overhaul of the old management structure, the train system slowly started to become the main mode of transport in Japan, with more people preferring to ride the train compared to taking the bus or plane.

Currently, the JR train system is the world leader in train services. It is known to have at least 25,000 trains being operated daily, which contributes to a majority of the 7.3 billion train commuters in Japan each year.

There are several kinds of trains, the most popular one being the Shinkansen, also known as the bullet train. The Shinkansen is a high-speed railway system which is used to travel to other areas and prefectures of Japan. It can reach maximum speeds of up to 285km/h to 300km/h during normal operation. However, the trains can reach up to a record 443km/h for Shinkansen on standard tracks and 603km/h for special Maglev tracks and trains. The Maglev train and track system uses the principle of repulsion of like poles in magnets to achieve zero friction between the tracks and the train.

Apart from the JR Line, there are many other private companies that also operate trains, although their routes are generally shorter. In Tokyo, in addition to the JR Line, the Tokyo Metro and the Toei is also frequently used by many commuters. However, while the JR Line operates mostly above ground, the Toei and Tokyo Metro operated underground. Their stations also differ and depending on the destination, one may prefer to take the JR Line over the Toei and Tokyo Metro and vice versa.

P.S: For those planning to go to Japan, especially to Tokyo, here are a few links to quick guides on train passes!
For train pass guide in Tokyo:
https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2017.html
http://www.tsunagujapan.com/the-japanese-commuter-train-system-a-comprehensive-guide/
https://www.tokyometro.jp/en/

For JR Lines and Shinkansen to other prefectures:
http://www.japanrailpass.net/en/about_jrp.html#bm_002
https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2018.html
https://www.japan-guide.com/railpass/

If you are going to Japan, I strongly suggest that you buy your train passes first before going there as the price of the tickets and passes will be much more expensive there. Do research which would be best for you!!!

References:
https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2017.html
http://factsanddetails.com/japan/cat23/sub153/item853.html
http://www.elsi.jp/en/blog/2015/11/blog1126.html
http://english.jr-central.co.jp/about/highspeed.html
https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2019.html
http://www.japanrailpass.net/en/about_jrp.html#bm_002
https://www.japan-talk.com/jt/new/list-of-shinkansen-trains
https://www.railway-technology.com/projects/chuo-shinkansen-maglev-line/
https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2018.html

Facts Of The Week
Prefecture: Niigata
Credits to Research Team: Syahiran

Tsunan Yuki Matsuri

I recently played Horizon Zero Dawn and there was this cut-scene that showed some lanterns flying around the sky, it reminded me of the time I watched a documentary from Waku Waku Japan that is similar to this kind of scene.

It is said that Tsunan town is one of the heaviest snowfall places in the world. Tsunan town is located in Nakauonuma-gun, Niigata, and is also famous as a rice granary(rice storehouse for storing rice).

The village of the cold winter, this festival celebrates the coming of warm spring with the end of winter.
The people who live in this area has a way of thinking that “snow” is from an object of fighting to an object of coexistence. This is how the festival was developed and nurtured.

The sky lanterns were used as a means of communication 770 years ago, it became a messenger of the light to send a wish to the sky now. People attending this festival could be wishing for business prosperity, family well being, success for the examinations , or to view and admire the scenery and communicate with friends and families.

The festival is held during the winter season, mainly in the month of march . The date of the festival is on 11 march from 11am to 8.30pm every year.

Take a trip to the Niigata Prefecture in March and witness a breathtaking view of floating lanterns at the Tsunan Yuki Matsuri or the snow festival. The town has one of the heaviest snowfalls in the world. During the festival, as darkness falls everyone makes their way to the ski slopes. The beauty of the gorgeous spectacle is there for all to behold when over 1,000 glowing lanterns are released in the snowy backdrop, amid gasps of amazement from the crowd. The light snowfall looks like glitter in the radiance of the lanterns. Entry to the festival is free and there are a number of food stalls and activities available to keep visitors occupied till it is time for the main event. See the video on the link below to see the festival experience.

Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=70&v=44uNBVw9RN4

REFERENCE:
http://diversity-finder.net/tourism/tsunan-yuki-matsuri-tsunan-snow-festival
https://enjoyniigata.com/en/detail/page/detail/7940
https://www.khaleejtimes.com/matsuri-mania-in-japan
https://snowcountryblog.wordpress.com/2016/03/18/tsunan-snow-festival-sky-lanterns/

Facts Of The Week
Prefecture: Kyoto
Credits to Research Team: Haikal Ryx

Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)

Kinkaku-ji, the famed “Golden Pavilion,” is a symbol of Kyoto. Formal name, Rokuon-ji was built at the end of the 14th century for the retirement villa of Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, a shogun during the time. His final will, was to convert the villa into a Zen temple.

The first floor is built in Shiden Style, which is a Japanese architectural style for palatial/aristocratic mansion during the Heian Period. Even though visitors are not allowed to enter the pavilion, they are able to see the statues of the Shaka Buddha and Yoshimitsu from across the pond.

The second floor is built in Bukke-Zukuri (Warrior Style), which placed a number of rooms under one roof or a series of conjoined roofs and was surrounded by a defensive device such as a fence, wall or moat, with guard towers and gates. There is a statue whom is surrounded by the four Heavenly Kings, Kannon Bodhisattva, goddess of mercy and pets which is not viewed by the public.

Finally, the top floor is built in Chinese Zen style, and at the apex, is a golden phoenix.

Recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage, Kinkaku-ji is one of the historical temple representing Japan.

Source:
https://www.insightguides.com/inspire-me/blog/a-guide-to-japanese-architecture
https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3908.html
https://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/spot/shritemp/kinkakuji.html
https://www.insidekyoto.com/kinkaku-ji-temple-the-golden-pavilion

Facts Of The Week
Prefecture: Kumamoto
Credits to Research Team: Cyril

Fujisaki-Hachimangu

It is interesting how the horse which is revered as a god in some places like Nikko, in Tochigi, is regarded as a delicacy in Kumamoto. The locals here are so proud of their basashi (horsemeat sashimi) that one cannot consider himself to have visited Kumamoto if he fails to tuck into this dish.

Aside from being savored as a signature dish, horses are also prominently featured in Kumamoto’s largest festival, Fujisaki-hachimangu (also known as Drunken Horse Festival) held in mid-September.

A parade showcasing horses decorated with attention-grabbing and garish stuff, it prominently features the dynamism and energy of Kumamoto City as local residents often pull together to form teams to take charge of a horse and guide it through the streets.

During the actual festival, different groups parade between the Fujisaki Hachimangu Shrine and Gokoku Shrine (near Kumamoto Castle.) The parade passes through the main part of the city, and there are thousands of spectators. The horses are decorated and dancers in extravagant uniforms play a big part, as do the musicians. Large drums and other instruments play incessantly in a samba-band style. What with the noise, the colours and the excitement in the air, participants and the crowd are both worked up into a fervour, not to mention to horses, which buck and pull at the ropes which hold them down.

The horse from each team will be pulled along by a group of burly men; this is followed by an energetic leader giving his loudest cheers and rallying his troupe of dancers and drummers to bring the already feverish atmosphere to new heights.

Taking place over several days, there is much preparation needed before the main event. Running up until the big day, groups practice taking the horses out on the street, and the ceremonial drums and bells can be heard at all hours of the day.

Some animal rights activists condemn the festival as being cruel to the horses involved, who are probably frightened by the noise. Whether or not the horses are still made to drink rice wine on the day of the festival (giving it the colloquial name of the ‘Drunken Horse Festival’) I do not know, but I wouldn’t be surprised if this practice continues to the present day.

Sometimes, the horses will suddenly quicken their pace and advance towards the crowd, but fret not, for the burly men will keep their horses under control. Also keep a lookout for foals, young horses, that will definitely steal your heart away!

Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Festival_of_Fujisaki_Hachimangu_Shrine
https://kumanago.jp/en/events/detail/430000001380.html
https://uncoveringjapan.com/2015/09/09/festival-focus-fujisaki-hachimangu-kumamoto/