A Young Generation Will Create Such New Things

Thus spake Keiichi Sakata at this school where he is the Principal, and where Vocaloid composition is being taught as part of their music education on a trial basis.

With the assistance of teachers including Ayuchi Takahashi and guest Vocaloid producer Ashin Kuroda, the class featured in this clip produced a number of basic themes using Miku as the singing voice. Although nothing was outstanding – hardly surprising in their first-ever attempts – there was a lot of promise in what the class produced.

This is a valid and important part of humanity's cultural future, and it is good that at least one nation is utilising the capabilities now available in pursuance of tomorrow's music and its composers...

Gynoid

Gynoid is what this type of humanoid robot, this one being code HRP-4C, is being called. Others are being called actroids or simply androids, and no doubt other terms will be coined over time. The video below shows a few of its (her?) movements including walking, gestures and facial expressions, some coordinated.

Her normal stance and walking mode has her arms in what these days might well be termed the 'MMD pose' (MikuMikuDance), as MMD models are invariably pictured in the same pose.

This is one of those that have been made to appear almost startlingly human-like, and there are several others that have been shown in public over the past two or three years – also Japanese. One can see that the concept of the (so far) fictitious human-type Cylons isn't at all far-fetched, when one realises just what could become possible within just decades from now...

Even The Toughest Cars...

...can be cute, at least in Japan. Decorating one's car with favourite manga, anime or vocaloid characters is now more-or-less mainstream in Japan, and Toyota even offer an at-factory service, as this well-illustrated article tells us. The popularity of Miku is also covered, and comes as no great surprise to me.

It is perhaps the biggest cultural difference between our part of the world and that country, that the more natural Japanese outlook favours cuteness over fierceness. In the more feudal times, and even as recently as the Second World War, aspects of their society were effectively constrained by traditions and impositions that presented a very different face to the rest of the world. I suppose we might have gained a slanted impression, just as we did of Germans, Russians and others for not dissimilar reasons.

Let the true nature of many peoples shine through, though, and in at least some cases one finds a much softer, and one could even say cuddlier, society. Yes, as with all large groupings of people it will not be universal – but it is dominant, as a wander around such nations' towns and cities readily reveals to the observant.

The real key is in how the public in these places react to anything of this nature, whether it be decorated cars or an impromptu dance in a plaza (as I showed recently, from Taiwan, for one example). It's not a matter of becoming blasé as such: it's more a question of one's societal norms. In such matters the Far East are, in the main, way ahead of us, more cosmopolitan and with a cultural breadth and entrenchment that could teach us a few things, if we'd let it in to our lives as a nation...

Pika-Chu-Choo!

It's actually a Pokémon-themed train, but our (Australian?) guide continually refers to it as a 'Pikachu train'.

The commentary is interesting, though, including comments on the 'usual' immaculately clean and graffiti-free nature of Japanese trains – which is something of which we in the west might like to take note.

Although this might well have been painted onto the vehicles, a 'wrap' applied to the surface is another technique that has been used in such exercises in the past, so I'm not going to say whether the commentary is correct on this point: it might be, or it might not...

JapanExpo in France

The French have been holding these expos for over a decade, and this report comes from this year's event in Paris. It is actually quite interesting, particularly the panel – but also to see the number of French fans and cosplayers there are, a sprinkling of whom spoke to camera (along with a couple of Japanese people).

It is a clear illustration of what I have been saying for a while now: that culture is spreading throughout the world in this way, and we in Britain are if anything behind the curve these days but slowly cottoning onto it all...

Japan Mode

This comes across as a very good series, in English, about Japanese culture in various locations. It is genuinely interesting – to just about anyone I should think – and is presented by Danny Choo for whom I have considerable regard. That name alone meant that I was definitely going to watch what turned out to be a highly professionally produced and well-researched programme.

Mind you, Aya seems to get the better end of the deal, both in and out of the studio...

Why this first upload is episode ten I have no idea; but Ginza is certainly interesting, from sweets to tea and even kimonos. The following programme (which I hope will also be uploaded) is in Roppongi, which regular visitors here will recall I recently 'visited' on the 'blog for a Miku Augmented Reality experience.

Do stick with this even if you're not particularly interested in Japanese culture and tradition: I think you'll agree that it was worth it...