i just discovered the japanese take on what goth is. does anyone know of any links to a good site that i can learn more about goth in japan?

Is their's any different than ours? as in EVERYONE's?! hahaha... funny...

*feeling very dumb right now*

fs

Actually, when I lived in Japan I noticed that most of the people who appeared goth, were in fact more like the girl in this article. Of course, that was a few years ago. Not to say that there are not goths in Japan; the Tokyo area has quite a lot actually.

Considering the goth culture is based so much on music, you would be better of to check the websites of Japanese goth bands and take it from there. Most likely they will be in Japanese, but I can help you if there's not too much slang on the webpages.

Also, I believe one of our new members, Koe, is very knowledgeable about Japanese culture and may have some more information.

Elegant Gothic Lolita in Japan is not related to what we know as the Gothic subculture in the western world. Though the fashions are similar/inspired by the same things, the thing that I've gathered from it is that for the Japanese it's mainly a fashion only thing and has it's roots in the Visual Kei/J-Rock/J-Pop scenes.

There is a "normal" goth scene in Japan (i.e. Goth as we know it, based on the music of people such as Bauhaus, Sisters of Mercy and all that has followed since), but that's fairly small from what I've gathered.

Some links on Elegant Gothic Lolita:

Morbid Outlook article
Japanism A good site with a pretty extensive listing of Visual Kei and related bands and fashion sites.
Lucious Dilettante

Lilith

God, I love the clothes! But the music?
Ever listened to Malice Mizer? Ick.

But honestly, the clothes and hair are breathtaking. I just won't be able to chat up a Visual Kei fan about Alien Sex Fiend...




~blood rose~

oops. nope, i'm not japanese. I know a little about the visual impact bands, and to be honest I haven't listened to most of them much. But I agree with BR... clothes. *swoons*

I think Malice Mizer was one of the earlier Visual bands.. so the trend probably started off around the time they sprung up. I don't identify the way they dress with their music though, since the fashion pretty much bleeds into most other bands in other genres.

Japanese influence is pretty strong here(so good for anime/manga fans like me), so it's not altogether THAT uncommon to see people dressed rather close to the Lolita style... sometimes. Besides, one of the fads lately has been the victorian-ish blouse anyway. I just wish more the blouses i see weren't as juxtaposed as they are... can you picture a pink heart in the centre of a white victorian-style blouse?

oh and btw, some nice cosplayer pics for anyone interested... this guy did his Mana(from Malize Mizer) really well.

Another one.

I really, Really love this one. I'm thinking(apart from how much more gorgeous it wouldbe if it were in black, though still), OMG he sure can sew... </jealous>

Yeah... a lot of Japanese visual kei music is corny, but there are some Japanese artists, though not as visual, who make very good music. Though I tend to like the hokey stuff sometimes, and visual kei males are very beautiful(notice that I said beautiful, not handsome) :O

I'm actually quite fond of Visual Rock Bands, most notably Gackt. Of course it helps that Gackt Camui looks so yummy most of the time. =:) The fashion trend thing looks kind of... well odd to me on a young Japanese girl. Could it be that sugary cute and goth just don't mix in my mind?

-lillie

Ohh Camui Gackt! I agree he's yummy looking especially while doing "fanservice". Though I couldn't believe that he actually went ahead and told the public that he is 400+ years old!