2010/10/16 by Hiroshi Narumi · 2 citations
Arts and Humanities · Social Sciences · #Asian Culture and Media Studies #Cultural Industries and Urban Development #Music History and Culture
paper · doi:10.2752/175174110x12792058833816
openalex publication_date 2010/10/16 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/05/05
AbstractThe aim of this article is to analyze the meaning of Japanese youth subculture in the postwar period, looking at both the styles and the locations in which they appeared. The subject is approached through a semiotic analysis through which we shall compare Japanese and British subcultures. Considering the geographic distance and the cultural difference, it is surprising to find that British and Japanese subcultures share a common system of semiotic meaning.We shall examine five Japanese subcultures: Roppongi-zoku, Miyuki-zoku, Harajuku-zoku, Futen-zoku, and Boso-zoku. It is possible to classify each of these tribes, or zoku, according to the moment of their appearance and to sartorial similarities with British subcultures. The Roppongi-zoku, Miyuki-zoku, and Harajuku-zoku were typified by a similar authentic code, which was close to the Mods. The Futen-zoku corresponded to the Hippie. The Boso-zoku had a semiotic equilibrium with Punk subculture.As we shall discover, features of subcultural style i...