Japanese shops’ melodies not lost in translation

In an era of increasing global exchange, Japan has emerged as a frontrunner in cultural influence, spreading anime and karaoke to all corners of the world.

These two cultural exports have throngs of devoted fans, nearly as many in America as in Japan. Japanese music has surprisingly sparked a large, international subculture on the Internet, due to its appealingly optimistic songs that provide a relieving change of pace from the often-monotonous American music industry. With the wide availability of translation online, Japanese music is increasingly accessible to non-natives, and students can experience the upbeat melodies just a short distance from campus.

Kinokuniya Bookstore

The largest and only remaining Japanese specialty bookstore in the city, Kinokuniya Bookstore appears modest from its Bryant Park-facing exterior, but the storefront disguises a large interior with three levels of books, stationary, anime, and music. The music section, nestled between shelves of magazines and DVDs on the top floor, boasts a large selection of up-to-date releases, such as the five member boy band Arashi, ballad-dance group EXILE and girl group AKB48, with helpful and bilingual staff to assist.

Arashi—meaning “storm” in Japanese—stormed the music industry to claim the No.1 spot on the Oricon year-end album charts (the Japanese equivalent of the Billboard charts) with All the BEST 1999-2009, their ten year retrospective album. The album sold over 1.43 million copies, and the group’s vocal prowess, personality and catchy pop tunes have helped solidify them as a fixture in the Japanese music industry.
On the other hand, AKB48 has regained popularity after releasing the energetic, pseudo-military-themed song “River,” that opens with a drill-style dance break. Despite reflecting uniquely Japanese musical traits, the song appeals to a wider audience with cute girls, short skirts, hip-hop beats and “Apocalypse Now” scenes in the music video. But EXILE is likely to be the most accessible of all groups, combing yearning lyrics, R&B tunes and hip-hop style dances into one coherent whole.
BOOKOFF

Japanese company BOOKOFF offers not only an assortment of gently used books and music, but also English-language releases. While the store’s stock depends on what is traded in, BOOKOFF generally carries oldies but goodies, including some of Arashi’s older works. Notable among its stock is the diversity of Japanese rock music, which has waned in popularity in recent years. Indie enthusiasts will enjoy the beginnings of hardcore and overtly visual groups like X-Japan (Japan’s first rock band) and Dir en Grey, who have toured in the U.S. as part of Korn’s Family Values Tour, while those in search of meaningful lyrics and haunting melodies will be able to find them in L’arc~en~Ciel’s 19 years of releases. Additionally, BOOKOFF has some J-Urban offerings for fans who wish to discover varied and diversified hip-hop sounds and styles with artists such as m-flo, DOUBLE and Crystal Kay. While, like Kinokuniya’s products, BOOKOFF’s selection is sorted by the Japanese alphabet, the staff are very attentive and helpful in locating products. If nothing else, the low prices are incentive enough to make BOOKOFF the first stop for any Japan enthusiast.

Kinokuniya Bookstore is located at 1073 Avenue of the Americas (between 40th and 41st streets). BOOKOFF is located at 14 East 41st St. (between Fifth and Madison avenues).