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Almost 30 years after the collapse of the “bubble era” in Japan, it continues to be a popular topic in popular culture. Whether it’s the skin-tight “body con” (body conscious) dresses, teased bangs or feathered fans, even those who weren’t even old enough to remember it look back on that time fondly because what’s not to like about a time when everything was great and people weren’t afraid to talk about money or sex? Even LADYBABY is releasing a single titled “Age Age Money ~Ochingin Daisakusen~” with lyrics that unapologetically ask for money!
The bubble era was the peak of Japan’s post-war economic miracle and much of the country was enjoying the fruits of their labor. Using the strength of the yen, they went on exotic overseas vacations, expensive imported goods, and wild nights on the town during those years. However, as Japan entered into the 1990’s, things began to spiral downward as increasingly risky financial speculation took its toll on the market. Of course, the bubble didn’t end overnight but as the recession wore on, the music and other media began to reflect the new circumstances. In spite of it all, the optimism and opulence of that time continue to live on! Here are a few examples of artists that aren’t afraid to party in Roppongi like it’s 1989, wave some feathered fans, or say exactly what they mean!
Bed In
The “underground sexy idol” duo Bed-In may have not been alive during the bubble (their ages are not revealed) but they are never without their tight, revealing dresses and teased hair. They’re not just out to have fun (which they do) but they also have the skills to back it up. A lot of people might hold a guitar for visual effect but Mai is definitely nothing like one of those models in a Robert Palmer video! Check them out prowling the streets of Shibuya in the MV for their 3rd single “C-chou Venus”!
Bed-In Official site: http://bedin1919.chu.jp/
Ayaman JAPAN
Roppongi’s Ayaman JAPAN doesn’t fit firmly in the category of a bubble era group but in the spirit of those wild and crazy times, they do whatever they want and aren’t afraid to say what others won’t or can’t, whether it’s their festive electropop mashup about free love “DDD〜Daredemo Dokodemo Daijoubu〜” (Anyone, Anywhere is OK) or “Ayaman-kyo Rap” where they preach a potty-mouthed sermon to alcohol. But most people might know them best for “Poi Poi Poi Ppoi Poi Popi”. Expect a few bottles of Dom Perignon to get popped anytime they get near a stage!
Ayaman JAPAN Official site: http://ayaman.co.jp/
While those two groups are unapologetically frank and in your face with their approach to their craft, the attitude and style has been known to trickle down to several more conventional groups as well. Here are a few that have taken up the spirit of Japan’s more carefree recent past.
Morning Musume.
It might sound strange to include Morning Musume. in this conversation but, if you go back to their 1999 mega-hit “Love Machine”, it is packed with the optimism of the bubble of a few years prior. With lyrics like “the future of Japan makes the world jealous” (Nippon mo mirai, sekai ga urayamu), it’s an anthem promising the dawn another era of prosperity.
Prizzmy
Prizzmy has released several covers of the legendary dance pop group TRF’s hit songs, which definitely earns them a place on this list. Compare their cover of “EZ DO DANCE” to the original or Dream5’s version. That Tetsuya Komuro sound just screams early/mid 1990’s in the best way possible!
Cheeky Parade
Cheeky Parade doesn’t just break out the feathered fans but, the MV for “Colorful Starlight” takes place entirely in a house that has to have been dreamt up by someone who had way more money than sense. It has a pool and a roulette table in it and multiple chandeliers! Then again, they are iDOL Street’s most lively group so maybe it doesn’t seem so unusual that they would do something like this? How cheeky of them! It’s just too bad that they didn’t go all the way and do the crazy hair and outfits though.
Shiritsu Ebisu Chugaku even released a “half official” MV commemorating their appearance on Music Station when they were promoting their album “Kinpachi”. Even though they aren’t seen, there are many shots of Roppongi which is the main place people think of when mentioning the bubble, not to mention the home of TV Asahi which is the station that “M-Sute” is broadcast on. They even manage to incorporate that familiar theme music from the show!
In the same way that dressing up in ’80’s or ’90’s fashion is fun to see or wear or how media from that time is fun to see, the bubble brings up memories of a time when things were simpler and less serious. There were mobile phones back then but it wasn’t like everyone was stuck staring at them like they are today. Even the language seemed to be less serious with it being common to reverse words to try and sound flashy like how Roppongi came to be known as “Giroppon” or Ginza became “Zagin” or sushi turned into “shisu”. We will keep looking for more displays of conspicuous consumption manifesting themselves so until then “shikyoro” (yoroshiku)!
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Writer, researcher, photographer, foodie, KSDD
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