KotobaInteractive
Journal

The Kotoba Interactive journal.

Editorial features on the cultures, history and languages of Asia. Filter by culture, by topic, or search for what inspires you.

Glossary
4 articles
Japan
Concert live de Hatsune Miku, hologramme de la chanteuse virtuelle Vocaloid sur scène.
Culture10 min

Vocaloid and Hatsune Miku: Japan's Synthetic Pop Revolution

The history of Vocaloid software, Hatsune Miku's rise as a virtual pop star, the creative community behind the phenomenon, and the cultural revolution of Japanese synthetic music.

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Japan
Yoshiki et Toshi de X Japan en concert, figures fondatrices du visual kei.
Arts12 min

Visual Kei and Rhythm Games: Japan's Music Scene

From flamboyant visual kei to the arcade cabinets of Taiko and beatmania, a journey through two pillars of Japanese music culture and their shared legacy.

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Japan
Vue nocturne de Tokyo illuminée, gratte-ciels et néons évoquant l'ambiance urbaine de la city pop.
Arts12 min

City Pop: The Global Revival of a Forgotten Sound

The story of Japanese city pop, the bubble-era sound resurrected by YouTube and TikTok. From Takeuchi Mariya to Matsubara Miki, a worldwide revival decades later.

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Japan
Salle de karaoké avec écran et microphone.
Society10 min

Karaoke: From Japan to the World, the Art of Singing Together

History of karaoke, from its invention in Japan to noraebang culture in Korea and KTV in China. How a machine changed our evenings.

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The Kotoba Interactive journal. · Kotoba Interactive