I'm not sure that it's shocking to the Japanese in the sense that it's egregious; Instead it's like saying, "Hey look an outsider has embraced our culture. That's peculiar."

It's like the first time I saw highlights of a woman dunking on ESPN. I wasn't shocked that a woman intruded on a space reserved for men. I was shocked in the sense I saw something different.

A black guy singing enka? That's different.

Posted by: AJ Papa on April 10, 2008 02:00 PM

I wouldn't consider that to be Enka. There is none of the ultra wobbley vibrato.

Also, is he really singing or just milly vanillying it?

Posted by: lion-gv on April 10, 2008 03:05 PM

Not that Americans do not do the same thing, especially in regard to those crazy Japanese. Though I can say I was kind of surprised that there is a music show (Music Machine) hosted by a Japanese-fluent foreigner.

I thought you had to be wearing a kimono for it to be real Enka?

Posted by: Alice Lee on April 11, 2008 12:15 PM

Not that Americans do not do the same thing, especially in regard to those crazy Japanese. Though I can say I was kind of surprised that there is a music show (Music Machine) hosted by a Japanese-fluent foreigner.

I thought you had to be wearing a kimono for it to be real Enka?

Posted by: Alice Lee on April 11, 2008 12:23 PM