D – Yami no Kuni no Alice [PV]

Fortnightly J-rock PV update #1

This is the inaugural post of my Japanese music, specifically “J-rock” fortnightly post, focusing on the latest and greatest new promotional videos released. I did begin a similar weekly round-up which ran through January and February on my Last FM blog, but it went on hiatus as uni became my main priority. Now I’m bringing it back on this blog with a repeat post in my Last FM journal to follow.

Alice nine – Rainbows

Ayabie – Mikazuki no kiseki

Vidoll – Blue Star

Ikimono Gakari – Bluebird

Screw – Vanquish

Duel Jewel – Iolite

Some Shinto terms.

From my Asian studies class.

Amaterasu – The Goddness of the Sun, leader of the celestial gods and ancestress of the Japanese imperial family.
Gagaku – scared and solemn music supposedly pleasening to the gods and used in ceremonial contexts.
Haiden – The worship hall in a Shinto temple complex where, in the most sacred innner sanctum, the icons and symbols representing the Kami reside.
Kami – Traditional nature god or spirit.
Kojiki – Record of ancient matters, a scared text dating tothe early 8th century.
Kokugaku – Early 17th century movement to revive the ethos of ancient Japan.
Kokutai - the national essence: State shinto before WW2 is sometimes referred to as Kokutai Shinto
Magokoro – Central Shinto virtue, meaning sincerity or a bright, pure, upright mind.
Nihongi – Ancient chronicles of Japan, dating from 720 and a major source of shinto myth and values.
Norito – Prayers according to the ancient formulae offered to the Gods.
Shinto - The Way (to) of the the Gods (Shin = Kami).
Torii – Double-linteled gate typical of the enterance to a Shinto shrine, demaracting scared from profane space.

Japanese film terms.

Here are some common terms from the glossary of Chris D’s 2005 book “Outlaw Masters of Japanese Cinema” Which I am currently devouring.

Bosozoku – Teenage car/motorcycle gangs, often serving as an apprenticeship for the Yakuza.
Chanbara – Swordplay cinema, usually Samurai.
Daimyo – Samurai lord.
Eiga – film/movie(s)
Gendai – modern.
Hara-kiri – Ritual suicide with sword.
Ippiki okami – lone wolf.
Jidai-geki – historical period piece, usually Samurai orientated.
Jingi – Honor and humanity; sometimes used to signify the code of gamblers and Yakuza.
Jitsuroku – true account.
Kaibyo – cat ghost.
Kaidan – ghost story/strange tale.
Kempeitai – military police.
Manga – comic book.
Matatabi – wandering, gambling swordsman.
Ninkyo – chivalrous.
Onnagata – male preformer cast in female role; common in 19th century Kabuki theatre as well as early 20th century silent era films.
Oyabun – boss.
Pink – intense softcore porn, often with ultra-violent content.
Roman porn – pink films with “romantic” as well as S&M styled interludes.
Ronin – masterless Samurai.
Shoringi kenpo – hand-to-hand fighting and boxing style combining philosophy martial arts.
Sukeban – delinquent girl gang leader.
Yakuza – gangster
zankoku – cruel.