One interesting usage of カタカナ can be found in the branding of the Japanese clothing store chain Uniqlo. At first read, the reason for the use of カタカナ in Uniqlo's logo and name, ユニクロ, may appear to simply be the use of a loanword. ユニクロ seems to be a kind of combination of "unique" and "clothes". However, this reading does not adequately explain the entire depth of meaning behind the brand's choice to write in カタカナ. Uniqlo is a Japan- based, Western-style clothing store with a selection of mainly basic graphic tees and jeans. Thus, the use of カタカナ may be a reflection of the brand's desire to associate itself with more of a Western appeal. The trend in Japan toward the Western as the cool also cannot be overlooked. The use of カタカナ in the branding undoubtedly ups Uniqlo's cool factor, and thus its desirability and sales.
Another interesting use of カタカナ with complicated reasoning behind it is the title of one of サカナクション's songs. サカナクション is a band from Sapporo, Hokkaido whose music ranges from alternative rock to electronic to dance pop. Of course, the very title of the band is an interesting case of カタカナ usage. The band name is a combination of a Japanese word and an English word, sakana (fish) and action, and could have been written as a combination of kanji and romaji. However, the combination seems to merit the use of カタカナ. As the band name is neither wholly Japanese nor wholly English, but rather something in between, カタカナ is a perfect fit as a kind of in between cultures writing system.
But this is a digression. My main interest is in a song title off their most recent album: "モノクロトウキョー". Translated into English, this song is "Monochrome Tokyo". Here again, as seen in the very name of the band, is a combination of an English word and a Japanese word. However, whereas the Japanese word in the name of the band was さかな written in カタカナ, the Japanese word in the title of this song is とうきょう. The writing of the name of the nation's capital in カタカナ can be read in many different ways. One of the more negative readings could be a kind of corruption of the symbol of Japan, taking it and making it foreign. However, I see this not as an insult to Japan, but rather as a reflection of the singer's personal state. The song is about wandering the streets of Tokyo and feeling as though walking in a strange land. The lyrics are laden with a sense of isolation and loneliness, as though the singer is disconnected from Tokyo. With this reading in mind, the writing of the Japanese capital in カタカナ effectively conveys the feeling that this city, so familiar and central to the nation, is somehow a foreign land to the singer.
はじめまして。コロンビアだいがくの日本語のよねんせいのジェシカです。どうぞよろしくおねがいします。[Hello, this is Jessica from fourth year Japanese at Columbia. Pleased to meet you.]
ReplyDeleteThis is a fascinating analysis of katakana usage.
「モノクロトウキョー」という歌の名前はすごくおもしろいと思います。わたしは、日本のおんがくがだいすきで、そのような歌の名前をよくみます。[The song title "Monochrome Tokyo" is really interesting, I think. I love Japanese music, and I see this kind of song title a lot.]
To be honest, I never gave much thought to why they chose katakana over kanji or hiragana; I always thought it was just to appear edgy and Western. But now that you have explained it, I can definitely recall songs where it would make sense that Katakana implies a certain mental state where something which should be familiar seems foreign.
Excellent job ^^
とても面白いトピックですね。
ReplyDelete「モノクロトウキョー」の場合には、カタカナを使う決断で、殊更に意味の持つのを避けられると言えるさえでしょうね。ブランドの名前を作っている時、漢字の無関係な意味合いを避けるような希望(つまり、カタカナの「ブランク•スレート」の魅力)はどんな影響があるかしら。名前を「根無し」にならせることが、さらに新しいようにならせるじゃないでしょうか。
This is a very interesting subject, isn’t it?
In the case of monochrome tokyo, you could even say that the choice of katakata deliberately avoids being meaningful. I wonder how often the desire to avoid the word associations built in to an ideographic writing system like kanji (in other words, the“blank slate”appeal of katakana), influences brand names. Is it possible that making a name “rootless” also makes it seem new?
(エミリー、日本語の四年生)
Very interesting analysis. When people combine two (or more) words together to coin a new word or term, they often use Katakana form. It might to appeal to western culture like you said, but do you think there are some other reasons for this?
ReplyDeleteYour analysis of モノクロトーキョー is very insightful. However, even though Katakana is used for foreign words, if you look into the history of Katakana use, you might find something very interesting.
Also, you need to include your textbook analysis in this post or discuss in another post.
I look forward to reading your next post!
TA:Chikako Takahashi