No way dude [ e ]

no way dude!  I dont think lyrics  have anything to do with the dance, especially with the dances people do in clubbing.

Maybe like, professional, ballet, or like, studio dancing, maybe the correograph the dances around the lyrics and feel of the music... but regular dancing in clubs and stuff I don't think that has anything to do with the lyrics.  Especially hip hop music.  It's just the beat!

I think Japanese people can't dance so well because people are reserved and afraid to do anything too different.

posted by anon_HarveyApril 19, 2004 at 2:11

I disagree [ e ]

Maybe we go to different clubs but I see lots of Japanese people dancing their asses off.  And, in particular, above I was at a competition where Japanese that practice all the time were at.  These ones were all doing different stuff as well.  At least different from each other.

They were pretty amazing to be honest.  I enjoyed their dances.  It's just that they were different than American dancers and my impression was specifically they didn't know why they were dancing or what the music was about so while they had interesting moves, and some of them were sexy because they were cute, only one of them was sexy through her dance.

Ask some of your Japanese friends if they know how directly American hip hop is about sex.  Unless they know English most of them will be shocked.

I also don't agree it has to do with the beat or last that's only part of it.  There are plenty of hip hop songs that don't have a great beat and certainly don't have a beat that suggests sex.  The lyrics are what put it all in there.

Here's a funny random note: I was listening to "Doin what comes naturally" from the musical Annie Get Your Gun.  Even that song from the 1950 is pretty much directly about sex.  I guess it's really a part of our culture.

posted by greggmanApril 19, 2004 at 3:51

hmm [ e ]

i sort of disagree... maybe it's because you're used to seeing american hip hop? i agree that some of them probably don't know much about american hip hop and the sexual implications and dance moves, but i think different interpretation shouldn't determine whether they dance well or not. a lot of people in asia (hong kong and taiwan, at least) go to japan to LEARN to dance (hip hop).

posted by RAApril 19, 2004 at 5:24

i agree and disagree [ e ]

i agree that a majority of japanese people can't dance for jack!!!ive partied out with japanese in Guam and japan. and some of them are really bad dancers. especially drunk "salary men"!!!but i agree with anon_Harvey that they are just to reserved thus making them to shy to do anything different..but then again i disagree, there are some that do know how to dance,those fortunately have rythm. and if u don't believe,just check out club HARLEM, in shibuya or eye2eye in Osaka. but they do have a style of their own.it's not like here in the states. and majority of japanese do not understand the lyrics of hip hop.my friends freak out when i explain to them to meaning of some songs,they're all "bikurri shita"!!!!

posted by juniyaApril 19, 2004 at 19:39

sticking it [ e ]

There are other things too.  I don't know how to describe it but I rarely if ever see Japanese dancers that can "stick" their moves.  I don't know how else to describe it except to say make each move look like it was done intentionally.

As for HK and Taiwan people coming to Japan to learn Hip Hop, that's really sad.  I suspect it's because it's cheaper to fly to Japan than someplace real like L.A. or N.Y.  I also suspect it's because most of them can't tell the difference between good and bad dancing.  Instead they are just fans of J-POP and so come here.

While it's all a matter of opinion so you might think it's just a difference in style, most Japanaese dancers would have a very hard time getting into any kind of dancing career outside of Japan because their skill level is just not up to it.

posted by greggmanApril 19, 2004 at 21:57

[ e ]

Not all hip hop is about sex!  (I know you didn't claim that but... ) Tribe called Quest is cool.  Also check out the song "My Addidas" by Run DMC.  Hilarious.  And Bismarke!!!

Um... .. Work is frying my brain. What was I gonna say... Oh yeah.

I heard rumors that the club "Harlem" in Shibuya will only let black men inside if they are with Japanese people.  If you go by yourself you get rejected. 

A rumor, but I heard from a pretty credible source.  I heard we tried to boycott it for a while.

posted by anon_HarveyApril 20, 2004 at 2:50

true dat! [ e ]

I think that their skill level(japanese people) is much lower than people from l.a. or N.Y. Definitely it's a matter of opinion.

posted by juniyaApril 20, 2004 at 8:19

[ e ]

Hm your opinion seems pretty fixed, if not biased. I only mentioned Hong Kong and Taiwan, and immediately you thought of the general population who don't have the money and are Japan teenyboppers (there are many people like that in HK, but those are mainly prepubescents and younger teens). however, I was talking about celebrities and musicians in general, and Japan is one of the places they go to to have training before they become celebrities. and no, they don't go to Japan just so they can learn hip hop, it's modern dance in general (which is very hip hop influenced), and Japan is close and convenient unlike places like L.A.

Perhaps throwing away stereotypes and your misconception of cultures you appear to be unfamiliar with, would do you some good. It would be a good way to actually sound your age.

posted by RAApril 21, 2004 at 2:04

send me more info [ e ]

I'm sorry if I came across that way but that's my understanding which is that even pro Japanese dancers know they can't dance compared to western dancers.  You send a pro Japanese dancer over to do American dance and they can't do it.  You send an American pro dancer to Japan and they have no problem.  Assuming that's true that suggests the American dancers are more skilled.

So, it seems rediculous to me that HK and Taiwan pros would come to Japan to learn to dance.  I'm assuming that's because J-Pop is popular in Taiwan and HK as well as Korea so dancing like a J-Pop star would be considered good training for trying to emulate J-Pop's success even if J-Pop dancers really can't dance well.

PS: I'm only taking about dancing. Japanese have no problem with music in general.  J-Pop may be mostly talentless but outside of that their are many excellent musicians.

posted by greggmanApril 21, 2004 at 8:15

Biased, my ass [ e ]

Five minutes spent watching Channel V or MTV Asia should be enough to convince anybody that the only thing worse than the Japanese imitating American hip-hop is Hong Kong or Taiwanese entertainers doing same.

Here's an alternative theory to why the Japanese dance differently: no gluteal development.  Ever seen an Asian person salsa like a Cuban?  Look at the package: Most Japanese have no butts.  (Aside from rikishi, that is.)

posted by wmsApril 21, 2004 at 20:50

[ e ]

WMS, so by saying that you're implicating that 5 mins spent watching American MTV would be enough to tell me that all American music consists of is boybands and the trendy "punk-rock"? Lord.

Anyway, I suppose it could be true that it would seem good enough for the teenybopper public if the dancer dances like the Japanese.. I"m sorry if I came across sounding overly aggressive.

Heh when I said Japan teenyboppers in HK, I actually meant the ones who idolize "singers" like those in Johnny's Jr. Just to clarify that.

Slightly off-topic, but given the right camera angles and enough editing and cutting, anyone in Asia could be a dancing pop star.

posted by RAApril 22, 2004 at 2:06

Hmm ... [ e ]

i don't think hip hop is necessarily all about sex ... though a lot of the more popular and modern songs surely feature sex, sex, and more sex ... well, there's violence too ... :)  if you look at some of the earlier stuff by Kurtis Blow and others that'll give you a clearer idea of what hiphop was about.

i agree with you on the part that a lot of japanese folks seem to not know how to dance.  it would seem to me that it's more from just trying to mimic the dance moves seen rather than trying to *feel* what the music/dance is trying to express (in this case i'm excluding sexual girations some call "dancing").  i've observed the same "problem" in the U.S.  I couldn't help but laugh when I saw a lot of Americans just flopping about.

But back to the main topic, I think if some Japanese folks went to learn about dancing from say India or Africa, they'd get a lot more "groove" into their moves, and would probably also be able to innovate their own moves rather than mimicing.

posted by globulousApril 22, 2004 at 3:15

Dont mess with the asians [ e ]

posted by DOHCMay 6, 2004 at 6:43

Except [ e ]

Clearly the Chinese, Koreans and Japanese are trying to COPY Western Music.  If they had made it up on their own it wouldn't be HIP HOP.

BoA can't dance.  She does the typical asian wave the hands thing. 

And BTW, I am Asian!

posted by greggmanMay 6, 2004 at 22:10

[ e ]

awwww. j-pop is so sweet. are there any specific songs you would reccomend me to *ahem* aquire?

posted by AmiMay 15, 2004 at 14:37

I know it [ e ]

I'm Japanese and i know Japanese music&dancing really SUCKS.

It is move of kabuki and Bonodori thing.

It doesn't fit with Western music at all.

 (eigo muzukashii)

posted by shiseidouMay 16, 2004 at 3:43

happened to google upon your site... [ e ]

so i was googling about buying gsm cell phones in japan, clicked on your site and started reading.  just wanted to give u props..entertaining indeed.

as for hiphop dancing, don't necessarily agree that people here can't dance.  ive seen some guys do awesome breakin moves and of course, generally they seem to dance better than most of the girls at clubs.  opposite from back home..definitely.

posted by magsMay 17, 2004 at 3:57

Japanese and dancing... [ e ]

I think you're right about the hip hop dancing,--but it's sweet to see the young kids trying. They have soul, but they don't have context.

Many years ago, I went to a concert by Terada Keiko and she covered "Free Your Mind" by En Vogue. It was pretty good and I thought her brave, but I sense most people had NO idea what she wa singing [ other than the song title ] and were fine with that. 

I think Japanese kids (boy am I dating myself!) understand the rebellion and the anger, they definitely want to emulate the kool, but perhaps they don't understand that gangster rap is not just fashion: it's a money-making empire ruled by a few who cultivate a violent image to separate kids from their money.

Hip Hop used to be about fun and dancing, being naughty, but not always nasty. I think it's great that they get whatever they get out of it, I just hope they don't leave all the other forms of black kool by the wayside!

posted by PandaScrunchMay 28, 2004 at 10:58

[ e ]

I agree with Greg.  The fact is, Asians don't have as much to "shake their body" with, and it looks silly when a skinny asian girl or skinny asian boy tries to do more sensual latino or hip-hop moves.

Trust me on this, try shaking your butt when you have none.  ^_~  I think I have the right to say that, as I've spent half my life in Japan, and half in the US.   ^_~

posted by ShizukaJune 14, 2004 at 9:12

totally disagree [ e ]

go to any trainstation at night and look at all the kids breakdancing. Or just try tachikawa near the HMV at night, those kids jam and they are all nihonjin

posted by djfrictionJuly 16, 2004 at 22:06

Dancing has nothing to do with lyrics. [ e ]

I have to disagree with your statement that the Japanese can't dance hip hop because they don't know the lyrics because said lyrics have to do with sex.  For one thing, every song that is about sex there is another that is about polotics, love, hate, romance, and death.  Secondly, dancing is not so much listening to lyrics than it is feeling the music because dancing is more about following beats then words.

posted by haloJuly 17, 2004 at 4:07

Can Americans do kabuki like the Japanese? [ e ]

Hip hop is American.  It's not that difficult to understand.

posted by maggieJuly 17, 2004 at 10:42

JAPANESE LYRICS MAKE NO SENCE!!SO MABE THATS THE REASON WHY THEY CAN'T DANCE.. [ e ]

I disagree,
i don't think the lyrics have anything to do with the way japanese people dance. i mean have you heard there lyrics they stink!! and make know sence what so ever.  for example
english- what's importan isn't the memories,but to wish we'll see each other agian,more then the sadness i now feel i am glad that i met you! the crisp wind of daybreak dries the tears on my cheeks REMEMBER MORING MOON!! if you believe the season between us still continues.
                  japanese-  aisetsu nane wa omoide ja naku kitte aeru te nagao kete kanjite irune kanashimi  yori me anata ni aete yokatta to saeta yoake no kaze ga. Hoho no namida kawakasu REMEMBER MORNING MOON!! shinjite iru nara.Futari ne kisetsu wa made tsuzuiteru!!


               PLEASE EMAIL ME!!  IF ANYONE  SPEAKS JAPANESE AND CAN HELP ME OUT!!

posted by yuliahimekovolkovaJuly 27, 2004 at 9:32

Disagree [ e ]

Perhaps i'm very ignorant and ill-informed but a large number of posts here claim that many japanese people do not know english and thus can not understand the 'hip-hop' music and therefore do not know what these songs' lyrics are talking about and in turn these japanese respond in such ways as "bikkuri shita" (was quoted earlier, means 'i'm shocked' for those who don't speak Japanese)-- Contrary to this view if you speak to any general japanese population from the youth until pre-adult ages you will realize that most of them have learned enough english to have a very good understanding of these songs' meanings.

As I said perhaps I am ignorant, however I have been teaching english to students in Japan for a few years and perhaps those of you who have lived half your life here did not realize the massive amounts of english already used in japan --actually let me start earlier, from the fact that japanese students already gain a good grasp of the english language through highschool... or flip open a page of any popular girls Magazine eg. "nonno, monica, popteen" etc. and take note of all of the english expressions and words being used (many of which are common among youth and thus also common in hip-hop 'ku-ru(cool) sekushii (sexy)' etc... and this is only where female Japanese get their influence, not to mention male youth which have countless more...

My point being that I completely agree that Japan has its own style... so many times people have been saying "you look at a japanese trying to do american pop moves but they are so horrible, they can't do it!" but the fact the top celebrities aren't trying to do it. The fact that the majority (please forgive this if it is offensive) of female japanese do not possess large busts or large behinds, does not mean that when they shake the afformentioned parts of their body that they are copying latino.

Lastly I applaud the Japanese Youth for developing their own style of music (even though called horrible by some here) and even that they try to develope their own dancing is also admirable. I think before anyone else makes any similar comments to the ones above, please look at how the majority of the older population still listens to 'enka' music (older generation people singing traditionally); then look at how the youth has broken through that to start hiphop within their country in a matter of about 5 or 10 years, while it took US and Canada (well Canada just copies the US anyways 'i'm canadian so I can say that ;P') well over 25 years... starting from the hip-hop kids in Harlem.

posted by ReiJanuary 15, 2005 at 2:35

Well, [ e ]

You are welcome to your opinion but I can tell you if you've met some Japanese youth who understand English lyrics they are in the extreme minority.  Japanese are forced to study English in school. 99% of them ignore it just like an American student ignores history.  They can't understand lyrics.  Sure there are a exceptions but they are just that, exceptions.

As for their own style, that's just it.  It's NOT their own style.  They are trying to do hip hop.  Hip hop is from America, ie, not Japan.  They see it on MTV etc from American videos, they think it's cool and they attempt to copy and fail.  My suggestion above is one reason is because they don't know what the songs are about.  They don't get that a female dancer's goal in an American hip hop video is to try to make the guys as horny as possible.  Not just copy the movies but put the attitude in it as well.

As for J-POP dancers.  While that is their own style it's arguably a poor style.  The style is, do silly moves that require no strength and no dancing talent but do them in sync with 3-11 other members and believe it's good dancing.  It's not.

posted by greggmanJanuary 15, 2005 at 13:26

that is somewhat true, [ e ]

however, japanese being forced to learn english must have a basic understanding to get anywhere so they can most likely understand the simple lyrics... in addition when a youth learns a second language, what is the first thing they will be wanting to say? the bad words, of course... from my experience with Japanese youth, right before a class or during breaks they would talk with eachother and show off their knowledge of the 'forbidden words'... I believe someone pointed out earlier that no japanese youth can understand lyrics that talk about sex, drugs, ~bling~ (an especially commonly known one now) --however my experiences lead me to believe otherwise.

Also a point that continually is brought up that the j-pop dancers have no skill and would not survive in an american dance school... I believe one quote was "[they] do silly moves that require no strength and no dancing talent," if you read any backgrounds of the majority of active dancing jpop stars you would see that, similar to some north american pop stars, they have been put through dance school as a child... but I am very surprised that not one person has derived the following... the majority of j-pop routines are NOT created by the j-pop stars... they are pre-choreographed by other people -- thus it is not their own style that they are dancing to.

In conclusion just look at some of the talented young j-pop stars like BoA or any of the others that have been trained from childhood in professional singing and modern dance. The point that they have no strength in the dances and no style should not go to the j-pop stars but rather to the choreographers.

Oh, and the majority of modern dance is from Europe and many concepts were not even adapted into the first modern dance academies in New York. So may I say that modern dance is a concept from europe and americans just try to copy it? Well failure to copy the exact concepts makes americans a failure to dance does it not?

posted by ReiJanuary 18, 2005 at 11:52

The Truf [ e ]

I was just considering this question myself recently so here's my take: I'm a big Hip-Hop fan from the States, and have been since the early eighties. I lived here in Japan quite a few years ago and just returned as a JET this past month (8/05). I hung out in Shinjukku and Roppongi for a while and witnessed some badass Japanese Hip-Hop dancers, and I also recall seeing quite a few in the States while visiting major U.S. cities. They are absolutely capable of tearing up a dancefloor with a complete repertoire of breakdance moves. The problem is that they have absolutely nowhere to go from there. And it's not just a 'Japanese' problem by any means, it's a universal dilemma. I can't tell you how many times I've been dancing at clubs around the world where they were playing a mix of hip-hop, latin, soul, r&b, reggae, etc. People will be out there dancing and having a good time, switching up whatever way they like to swing there hips to whichever type of music happens to come on. And there is always that kid who sits in the corner waiting for the rap song to come on so he can jump out, clear a space to show off his footwork, then some handglides, windmills, and freezes. It's the same kid someone mentioned earlier on this forum, the one who took dance lessons or gymnastics in their youth. However, as soon as the rap beat dies away, and some reggae rhythms roll through, he has to go back to the corner and sit because he can't dance to anything else! Tokyo seems to have a million Hip-Hop dance teachers. I know because their ads are posted all over the bathrooms of the very same clubs I witnessed the good dancing in. And you know how the Japanese are with hobbies/clubs. When they decide to take on a project, they tend to go all the way with it. They practice and practice. In fact, at one venue I actually witnessed two young Japanese kids staring at themselves in a mirror on the wall practicing for about two hours early one evening. The point is, anyone can learn a few set techniques. So this is what we're talking about here: It doesn't have anything to do with Japanese or Chinese or American or whichever, it has everything to do with a thing called SOUL. I know people of every race, creed, color, what have you, that are terrible dancers, have no rhythm, and hate to go to clubs. And I know the opposite as well, goofy looking white kids with glasses that get a little liquored, lose their inhibition, and turn into the next James Brown before anyone knows what's happening. In my opinion, the test of who in the world 'can dance' has absolutely nothing to do with whether they understand the lyrics of the music they are listening to and everything to do with whether they can move to a variety of beats, rhythms, and melodies. Most of these guys are not 'good dancers', though they may be able to pull off 'an impressive routine'. Good dancing has to do with innovation and improvisation right there on the dance floor, when hearing a new type of song for the very first time. Word.

posted by EliottReederAugust 26, 2005 at 0:40

And If You're Really Interested...ReadThis: [ e ]

History of hip-hop dance scene in JapanIn Japanese hip-hop, dancing has been the center of the main cultrure, other than rapping, graffiti, and DJing. This is because dancing has a visual impact so everyone can uderstand, when it comes to dance there is not a language barrier.

Old School EraBefore Hip hop was introduced to Japan, there was soul dancing, the heart of a revolution of ongoing dance. Soul dancing was introduced to Japan through such shows as Soul Train in the 1970s. I would say this soul dancing played a role as foundation that enabled Japanese people to learn and accept black or street dance culture. Hip hop dance culture in Japan started after the movie "Flashdace" appeared to the public in summer of 1983 though some people had already known about it and started doing it before. Although the movie was not about breaking (or b-boying), few seconds of kids doing elecric boogie and breaking on the street caught many Japanese people's attention. After Flashdance, many other movies followed such as "WILD STYLE", "BEAT STREET", "BREAKIN'", and "BREAKIN' 2". Rock Steady Crew came to Japan in 1983 and Boogal Shrimp A.K.A. Turbo from the movie "BREAKIN'" came to Japan and planted the seeds of hip-hop dancing in Japan. There were many breaking crews. Some crew such as Be-Bop Crew (Fukuoka area), Imperial JBs (Hakata), Angel Dust Breakers(Osaka), Osaka Gangstar(Osaka), and Be-Bop Crew Tokyo (Tokyo) represented each areas and got props among dancers. During this era, dancers such as Popping Pete and Sketer Rabbit from Electric Boogaloo, Booglaoo Shrimp (a.k.a Turbo from Movie "Breakin'), Boo-Ya Tribe, Popping Taco, and Rock Steady Crew came to Japan and inspired lots of Japanese dancers. Especially, Popping Pete and Sketer Rabbit were often invited to Osaka which make Osaka popular as a place having many good poppers. (When Mr.Wiggles came to Osaka in 96 of summer, he was so impressed about Osaka because he says he never seen one place has so many poppers like Osaka.)

New School EraNew school hip-hop dancing era came with the boom of New Jack Swing music. This boom began in 1989 and 1990. The music video of artists such as Bobby Brown, Bell Biv Devoe, Heavy D, and M.C. Hammer proved that a new way of dance was coming alive and all of the young dancers were ready to explore this new form and make it real. You might remember that during this era, many rappers featured dancers. A local dance TV show called "DADA LMD" started in 1989. In comparison to the American Soul Train, there was a line dance at the end of the show. There were also the section of dance lesson introducing latest trendy steps instructed by regular dancers in the middle of the show. Later, these regular dancers made a debut as a singer and made commercial success. Also, there was another dance TV show called "Dance Dance Dance" . This show featured a dance contest competed by 4 group every week, and a special dance performance by the program's regular dancers called "Megamix". Since these two programs were local programs and also aired after midnight, the impact was not enough to create explosive boom of new dancing. The national TV show "Dance Koshien" started in 1989. This show was aired 8 o'clock on Sunday. This show is about street dance contest for high school students. (Actually, most of contestants appeared on TV were not high school students, though.) This show had a great impact on many young people that began to dance. Some people who made their appearance on Dance Koshien found their claim to fame. A group called "LL Brothers" was the most successful group from this show and became a singer later. The existence of these three dance programs show how much the popularity was big.

After this boom was over, many people stopped dancing. But at the same time, many still stayed in it. Combined with the people from old-school era (breaking era), these people brought the culture into next level. The street dancing became real culture not a trend.

New York and JapanAmong Japanese dance kids, dancers appeared on music videos are hereos and role models. Dancers such as Link, Stretch, Loose Joint, Ejoe, Calief, Peek A Boo, Marquest, Kito, Rubberband, and Brian were well known dancers in Japan. The trend of dance style used to change really quickly around 1991. The dancers who gave influence to Japanese dancers at this time are Shake (NY), Fendy (NY), Soul Brothers (LA), Robert (LA) and Scheme Team (LA). The only way to get catch up this trend was to watch music video at that time. One of the video which had a greatest impact on dancers was Lalah Hathaway's "Baby Don't Cry" featuring Mop Top crew and some other dancers. After this video, many dancers started to pay attention to NY sophisticated dance style. Many people began to visit New York City to actually see these dancers. The Japanese pop music group "ZOO" featured these dancers for their video. The docmentally program about street dancers in NY "ALIVE TV:wreckin' shop from Brookyn" also gave a great infulence to dancers in Japan.

House dancing as a new form of dancingAround 1992, some people realized the existence of other form of street dancing which is HOUSE dancing. The music video of Crystal Water's "Gypsy woman" is said to the first dance video featuring house dancers, Calief and Peter Paul. (Actually, in NY, house dancing had been around for a while before that video.) Then, House dancing developed so quickly and now it is established in Japan as a category of street dance as well as hip-hop, breaking, locking, and popping.

Does Japan Keep Real?Although it is started as boom, now hip-hop is culture and getting real gradually in Japan. However, Japanese people have tendency to follow something new from the US. They think that's good because Americans do. They are crazy about buying expensive hip-hop gear such as Polo, DKNY, and Tommy because famous dancers in NY wear. This tendency has kept Japanese hip-hop culture from getting real. The language barrier is also the problem. Since most of them don't understand What KRS-one is saying on the SOURCE magazine, they can not help depending on visual information so much that the culture is easy to be superficial. Since Hip Hop can be said a black culture, people think it is dope to dance like black people or even act like black, which is not real point of hip hop culture. Howerver, it is true that the way Japanese enjoy the beat and the culture is almost exactly same as people in America. And Japanese people start understanding the significance of hip-hop and lifestyle gradually and trying to create their own hip hop.

posted by ERAugust 26, 2005 at 0:48

[ e ]

since when did hip hop have to be centered around sex? That's just dirty american thinking.

posted by urretardedSeptember 18, 2005 at 16:58

umm....excuse me?! [ e ]

u r messing wiv the wrong ppl m8

i am asian, i live in the u.k., i know there is a difference!

thats why i like asian music. It has a whole different meaning to the word music. nowadays its hard to find songs that are not about sex and english music proves it. although i like english music a lot its just not the same as asian music like JPOP and KPOP. Oh and chinese music isn't bad either.

I love the way asians dance, its a change from having slutty performances by english people. It gives dancing a whole new meaning too if you think about it ooor it brings back what dancing used to be about.

don't even try to mess with us or BoA. Just try to diss us in the forums of www.boajjang.com and just wait to see what happens :D I dare u

Something to consider [ e ]

 Just happened upon this site. This topic seemed to get pretty emotional for some people! I just wanted to comment on the opinion that Japanese people don't understand Hip-Hop lyrics and that's why they don't know how to dance to it. Well, living in Japan should illustrate to you that whether or not they understand the lyrics, to be that sexually blatant in your dance moves (or any other personal displays) has much more social ramifications than the typical American would have to deal with. You know the whole family honor thing ect...

posted by JokieinCaliDecember 7, 2005 at 15:32

Japanese can NOT DANCE! [ e ]

I don't think japanese people can dance. The Japanese are EXCELLENT at copying dances. However, they suck at being creative. And even if they DO have a moment of creativeness, their dancing is limited by their body designs and their DNA!

I will say the same thing on boajjang.com. I ain't scared of anybody/anything!

posted by BadBoyzJanuary 10, 2006 at 12:41

Well.... [ e ]

Well, when I see people on Hip-hop videos and mess as they dance, you feel this sort of power. But on some videos like on BoA-Moto you can only feel this little power from the dances. It doesn't have to do with the race or anything it just that maybe people were just taught to plain dance. When you dance you have to have a emotion not just start dancing. I'm Korean, and I was taught that when I dance I should shower emotion and power from my dance moves.

Back to the point, well...when Japanese people dance...they have no rythem and they just go off beat a lot of times and like I said in the beginning, they just show no power. That's just me.

posted by FatDogBuyoJanuary 29, 2006 at 8:20

it's not true [ e ]

  Before to go in japan i think they don't know how to dance hip-hop,but.... i was at a gymhall there to make some aerob and i can't belive my eyes , they are most good at dance than us. for example i see many old people very good dacer .i don't want to belive me, but if you don't see something with your eyes, don't draw conclusions.

posted by loryApril 17, 2006 at 11:39

whaaaaaaaaaaaaaat [ e ]

I THINK THAT YOU GUYS CAN DANCE YOU BUTS OFF MAN YOU GOT MY APROVAL MA FOREAL DOG DO

HOLD UP MAN [ e ]

I ALSO THINK THAT YOU GUYS CAN REALLY DANCE LIKE YOU GOT SERVED THERE WAS SOME ASIANS IN THERE THAT COULD REALY DANCE.YOU NOW IT'S ALL COOL

posted by DABOOMApril 25, 2006 at 13:46

come on dude [ e ]

you now what i think that japanese are better dancers than americans are .i grew up watching kung fu are dacing movies of japanese and chinese and i most say there amazing dancers just like americans are

posted by marcusbenardcurryjrApril 25, 2006 at 13:54

oldy mic goldy and dj cadilac and my folcs [ e ]

a i agree with my man mark i think that the japanese are amazing dancers. every time u see a japanese person there dancing or djing there buts off like crazy thats what i like about my people even if im not japanese are chinese thay still my people.

The Soul Brothers "Masters of Freestyle Dance and Hip Hop Boogie" [ e ]

The Soul Brothers "Masters of the art of Hip Hop Boogie"  Kraig E., V-Love, and the Legendary have been killing the dance floor for 20 years easy.  They were once quoted aying that they will boogie to the death.  Legend said, "I want to die dancing to Kool G. Rap's Men at Work"  That is how serious they are about Freestyle dance.  
The Soul Brothers started in the Trendy Era, sucessfully made the transition to Hip Hop and have been underground dance assassins ever since.  The Soul Brothers have a documentary coming out summer 06 www.respondtosound.com/previ
ew.wmv and have been touring again recently.  legend@gbtg.org if you need to contact the SB's. Enjoy the blessings and Boogie forever.

posted by SoulBrotherLegendaryMay 9, 2006 at 17:34

Dancing Machines [ e ]

This blog just lightened my day, and considering it's my day off, my day is really light.  Anyway, I have a Japanese wife, and she is pretty cool, sexy, etc. in all aspects.  When I met her she couldn't really dance, but I got her to take Salsa lessons with me.  Eventually, she got the hang of it and started liking it.  Now she can move on dance floor quite well.  We're not professionals but we have a lot of fun.  I think a point to made is that having fun is the best medium to exist in.  She doesn't understand the lyrics to most of the salsa songs she listens to (or reggae, hip-hop or rock for that matter), but she likes the music.  Everyone likes songs for different reasons.  When I explain the lyrics to her she doesn't stop liking the song because in the end the music is what drove her to liking the song in the first place (by the way I can speak a bit of Spanish, so I get the songs).  

I think the dancing thing is interesting because it really is a form of expression that can be taken so many ways.  Have you ever seen a Bon dance?  A very beautiful thing (if done properly).  I love to dance and can do a lot of different styles.  The beat changes and I keep going, but I've never come across something as difficult as a Bon dance.  It looks easy, but the control and precision it takes to do is quite difficult.  The dance expresses so much feeling and culture, but at the same time can be taken as a physical work out.   Look at Zhang Ziyi, she does all those martial arts moves yet she was trained in ancient chinese dance thus allowing her the flexibility and physical stature to do martial arts. I think if you trained her to do hip-hop you would get some very good hip-hop dancer.  I think if you freed her mind and told her to incorporate hip-hop with your Asian dance training things would be off the hook.

Asian hip-hop is trying to copy to Western style hip-hip (mostly derived from the U.S.).  Breakdancing is 3 decades old yet it still survives on the streets of Tokyo, Hong Kong, wherever.  That is pretty cool.  Maybe someone decided that, "Let's not try to understand the lyrics, but try to understand the music."  

This is an interesting topic since I like to dance.  I will also say that if you like to dance (hip-hop, jazz, or whatever) explore the different realms of dancing and see what is out there.  People do different things for different reasons.  That is the beauty of life.

Oh, on one note - the booty shaking discussion was off the hook!  I have to say that, the most sensual Salsa moves I've seen were by Salsa teacher, who is Japanese - she did have curves though, but in the end she even said it doesn't matter.  Attitude and knowledge of how to dance Salsa is what made her sexy.  I've seen many Japanese women who had crazy curves, but couldn't dance a lick, and when they tried it looked bad.  Also, I've seen some stick figure Latinos who burned up the Salsa floor with moves that set the Sun a blaze.  Dancing is in large part attitude (just like sex appeal), and if you don't have it then get off the dancefloor.

Peace Ya'll - Keep Dancin'

posted by UenoMurakamiMay 14, 2006 at 19:00

JAPAN GIRL [ e ]

I'm black girl who born in Japan/osaka and Iknow for fact that asian man/girl can dance. I am not your typical black girl who have alot cubust but still I know good dance when see it. You guy shouldn't be putting my friend down if haven't seen real thing. i LOVE JAPAN, i DON'T LIKE WHEN PEOPLE LIKE YOU PUT THEM DOWN. Go to Japan then judge. Anyway I speak very good english/ and was born in a different culture both parent and brother can speak english very good and all japanese.

Japanese Gal "Junko" wins Jamaican Dance Hall Competition [ e ]

Regarding your theory, my view is "Bollocks".

http://www.bashmentvibes.com
/pro_junko.htm

http://www.youtube.com/watch
?v=bPxqBB2kfYM&search=danceh
all

http://profile.myspace.com/i
ndex.cfm?fuseaction=user.vie
wprofile&friendid=46943271

http://www.bbc.co.uk/1xtra/e
vents/japan/seani.shtml

You've got to be kidding. The US could learn more than a few things from the Japanese when it comes to dancing.

posted by TyphoonJune 20, 2006 at 10:36

what?! [ e ]

if your theory is that hiphop is about sex, no way. It's not in the lyrics! And if hiphop WAS about sex, then millions of people would be hating it, especially adults parents. I don't believe you. The japanese can't dance hiphop?! People dance to express their feelings about LIFE, not SEX. I mean sure, lots of hiphop artists in the US rap about sex, but not ALL. See what I mean?!

posted by rachelJuly 18, 2006 at 18:07

.. [ e ]

the problem with some (I SAID SOME, NOT ALL) American teenagers nowadays is that all they care about is themselves and sex and stuff like that. Like in Mean Girls, etc. Then they discriminate asians like us?! How dare they?! I wonder what will happen to USA in the future..with most teens behaving like wild animals or something. If you know you're a good teenager in America, then please BE A GOOD INFLUENCE TO THE BAD ONES. Seriously.

posted by rachelJuly 18, 2006 at 18:13

WTF??!! [ e ]

DOODE WAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT??!! ASIAN PEOPLE CAN DANCE!! AND BESIDES WHY ARE YOU SAYING THAT JAPENESE SONGS ARE ALL ABOUT SEX?? INFACT ALOT OF AMERICAN SONGS/RAP ARE ABOUT SEX!! ALOT OF JAPENESE/ASIAN PEOPLE CAN DANCE WAY BETTER THAN AMERICANS!!!! I MEAN COME ONE IN MUSIC VIDEOS INT HE U.S. ALOT OF THERE DANCING IS JUST SHAKING THERE BOOTY!! BUT THE JAPENESE MUSIC VIDEOS ARE STRAIGHT HIP HOP. THERE NOT JUST SHAKING THER BUTTS AND CALLING IT HIP HOP!!

posted by STEPHANIEAugust 28, 2006 at 13:28

[ e ]

I think it doesn't matter where you come from. Some people in Japan may dance better than people in the U.S. vice versa. I don't think it matters what race you are if you really work at it like UenoMarakami was saying you could dance like the best of the best.

I don't think japanese can't dance and just because the way people dance isn't how we would doesn't mean it isn't dancing.  By definition dance is just moving rythmically it doesn't say you have to dance in a way that's pleasing to everyone or that someones way is better. I think as long as your expressing yourself and having fun even if it isn't pleasing to everyone doesn't mean that it's not dancing.

If your dancing perfessionally your dancing for someone so it has to be pleasing for the people your dancing for but when your just at a club dancing for yourself it shouldn't matter.

And PS- Hip hop is NOT all about sex. There's a cool movie called Brown Sugar(american movie) that says otherwise.

posted by MJSeptember 28, 2006 at 7:37

HEY!! [ e ]

HEY WTF!! I RESENT THAT U MTHRFCKR JAPANESE PEOPLE CAN SO DANCE!! GOT U PEOPLE R RLLY FCKD UP IN THE HEAD!!!!!!!!

posted by michelleApril 29, 2007 at 12:18