Sukuyaki - Original Japanese Version
Kyu Sakamoto - vocalist
Guitar
Bass
Drums
Mallet Instruments
Strings
Trombone
Back up Vocals
Sukuyaki - English version
Doowop Group with male acapella voices
Music that is translated does lose much of the cultural of
its original. If you examine the song Sukiyaki it is a wonderful 1950’s styled
ballad from Japan. The English version is not a horrible song it does lack some
of does lack some of the culture of the Japanese music of the 1960’s. The song
is a direct reflection of the music that is introduced to Japan by the United
States after World War II. It is interesting that Japanese crooner Kyu
Sakamoto recorded this song and it was popular in the United States due to the
sound of the song. This song can loose much of the culture when recorded in
other languages but is a mixture of U.S. and Japan during the 1960’s
I agree with your point about translation and how it results in a loss of culture. I believe it relates to the authenticity continuum discussed by Koops (2010). The article stated that music educators should try to avoid using Western arrangements of when teaching students about music from non-western cultures. I have encountered this problem in my choir classes in the past. I enjoy incorporating music from other cultures; however, it can be difficult to find arrangements than are not Westernized. In such cases, I will often teach works like these by rote. Yes, it takes away some educational value in terms of music literacy; however, it allows me to preserve the educational value with regard to multiculturalism. For example, if I am teaching a unit regarding calypso songs accompanied by steel pans, I would rather teach it by rote than give them music requiring piano accompaniment. While our reproduction of such music may not be entirely authentic, at least by avoiding translations and Western arrangements, we are able to preserve some authenticity with regard to the continuum.
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