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November 5, 2004

Momus' Guide to Foreign Views of Japan

Momus has a new essay up on his LiveJournal blog that codifies and groups the current Western views on Japan. I get my own section for the "Spenglerian" outlook that the Japanese cultural empire is in decline.

I also get called "shibuya-kei," which reminds me that I need to finally write an essay on my reappraisal of 90s indie music in Japan. I've come to believe that Flipper's Guitar and Pizzicato Five were more about taste than talent.

Posted by marxy at November 5, 2004 11:46 PM

Comments

That's pretty rich coming from a man who, a few inches up the page, is endorsing Spank Happy!

Posted by: Momus at November 6, 2004 4:43 AM

I am endorsing Kiiiiiii and Halcali, and Spank Happy happen to also be playing.

Although you could certainly make the case that Halcali is just a 2004 Shibuya-kei Hip Hop unit.

Posted by: marxy at November 6, 2004 8:21 AM

I had a hard time with DOGS AND DEMONS. Anyone that reads my site knows my feelings on Japan (I live here because I fucking love the place), and even though I could agree (or at least recognize) with a lot of what he was saying, it didn't really represent the Japan I know and love. One of the things that makes this place so interesting is the fact that it can be many things to many people. David is disillusioned. Momus and me still feel the love, because we are able to find what we want and crave.

I much prefered Kerr's LOST JAPAN, which I immediately ordered my parents to read. I'd just arrived here, and felt like it summed up my feelings on the place (before I got heavy on the design/pop aspects of the place).

Posted by: Jean at November 6, 2004 11:10 AM

taste is talent

Posted by: Jesper at November 8, 2004 1:40 AM

j say: "I had a hard time with..."

and i say: this really DOES speak volumes

Posted by: r. at September 5, 2005 1:04 PM

His latest post about the design of the Nippon Shintou logo and following comments were very Andy Warhol-esque.

Posted by: dzima at September 5, 2005 10:51 PM

Posted by: r. at September 7, 2005 6:19 AM