Visual Kei
An introduction page from my website
Visual Kei :
(ヴィジュアル系; Vijuaru Kei)(meaning ‘visual style’, with the ‘kei’ pronounced ‘k’) is a Japanese music subculture and fashion trend that has been popular since the 1980’s. The artists and fans of the look incorporate the use of makeup, elaborate hairstyles, flamboyant costumes, and usually (but not always) couple the look with androgynous aesthetics.
Context:
If you’ve read much about Japanese culture, then you’ve probably come across the saying “出る釘は打たれる” or, in Inglés, “The nail that sticks out gets hammered down.” It’s hard to be different in a culture so steeped in tradition, and any deviance to the norm is met with resistance. So as you can well imagine, partaking in such wild acts of fashion resistance was an act of wild rebellion.
The Appeal:
Fans (particularly the female fans) are simply wild about a look that blurs the lines between genders through cross-dressing and androgyny because it expounds upon the appreciation of male beauty and youth. Quite often leaving one with the impression that these ethereal men are unattainable royalty or rock gods.
Fun Fact:
The visual kei (fans naturally abbreviated it to ‘V-kei’) is Japan’s answer to glam rock and it owes some debt, according to Yoshiki of X Japan, to David Bowie.
Yoshiki with his hero David Bowie
Yoshiki is quoted as saying “When he was in Tokyo, I told him he was an enormous influence.”
Conclusion:
Visual Kei is a vibrant and rebellious Japanese music subculture that has captivated fans for decades. The fusion of flamboyant fashion, elaborate hairstyles, and androgynous aesthetics has created a visual style that blurs gender boundaries and celebrates individuality. In a society that often values conformity, Visual Kei stands as a bold statement of self-expression and nonconformity. Fans, especially female fans, are drawn to this subculture because it elevates the appreciation of male beauty and presents its charismatic artists as unattainable figures of royalty or rock gods. With its roots in glam rock and influenced by icons like David Bowie, Visual Kei has carved its own unique path in the world of music and fashion, leaving an indelible mark on Japanese culture. As we continue to explore and appreciate the diversity of Asian and Japanese music scenes, Visual Kei stands as a testament to the power of artistic expression and the enduring spirit of rebellion.
