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An Interview with the Founder of Giant Robot Magazine

Frequent source of odd looks at Japanese culture Ken Tanaka sent us this exclusive blurb about his new vid:
Ken Tanaka meets a Giant Robot
Giant Robot magazine is a Los Angeles based magazine that covers Asian and Asian American art and popular culture. They had humble beginnings, starting as a black and white, photocopied zine back in 1994. Now Giant Robot is celebrating its 50th issue and they’ve opened stores in New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco . The founders, Eric Nakamura and Martin Wong, are well known for introducing up and coming artists such as David Choe, Kozyndan, and Barry Mcgee. In this video Ken Tanaka meets up with Eric Nakamura at one of his LA stores to talk about Giant Robot, Takashi Murakami, superflat, and the Asian American art world.

http://www.giantrobot.com

Also, if you view the video description on youtube, Ken has provided some links to artists’ websites; people that contribute to Giant Robot.

44 comments - What do you think? Posted by Claytonian - December 21, 2007 at 4:57 pm

Categories: General Japan Tags:

mk1311

Ken Tanaka? is that your real name? and why do you talk to us japanese like we are retards?

Claytonian

someone missed the hate train the first time around…

shazzb0t

Seriously though, could you stop posting this guy’s videos. They are garbage. They aren’t funny, they aren’t original and in fact they are basically a minstrel show without the face makeup.

His schtick is offensive and obnoxious. I’d really appreciate it if you stop posting these.

Claytonian

Sorry, we post what we want; it’s your choice to read and watch. Skip over the post next time.

As for whether or not Ken is as offensive as a minstrel show, I disagree. I feel his schtick is based off of observation of non-native speech patterns, and not stereotypes. If anything, Ken breaks stereotypes by being a white guy with an Asian language background.

You can argue with me on that point, but my mind is made up on the Ken issue.

shazzb0t

‘Sorry, we post what we want.’

So, your readers’ input doesn’t make any difference? I think thats a rather belligerent stance to take towards someone who has been reading this blog for quite awhile.

‘Observation of non-native speech patterns..’

Hate to tell you but the odd English speaking Japanese character is a stereotype and a very visible one at that. Go ask a couple of Japanese folks about how they felt when they saw “Lost in Translation,” you’ll see what I am saying. Ken doesn’t break the stereotypes he makes them acceptable by donning this character and speaking in this manner. He makes us think that how he is speaking is funny because it is an actual representation of Japanese who make English mistakes or sound a little different. To be honest I think saying this isn’t offensive makes one seem a bit culturally insensitive and unsophisticated.

‘If anything, Ken breaks stereotypes, by being a white guy…’

This is like saying ‘Well, Al Jolson knew a lot about the black culture he mimicked and made fun of, so its ok’. No, I hate to say it to you, since you have your mind made up and all, but its not ok, he does present a stereotypical image of Japanese English speakers and it is offensive.

I think so far the majority of the comments have reflected the fact that they do not like this character nor do they do like these posts. That you do not care what a few of your more active posters feel about this reflects poorly on you and on JP.

Claytonian

For reading every day, I owe you a thanks and little more. So thanks for reading. You can’t dictate what we should decide to post, though we welcome your opinions on what we post here in the comments. You can trash Ken every time I post one of his vids if you so choose, but I think your time would be better spent on other issues.

Ken does not make fun of someone’s culture or make a quick buck off oppression like the minstral singers; he introduces Japanese culture to many people. He is not running around in a straw hat with buck teeth talking about flied lice. Nor is his act something sinister; it’s just a gimmick to engage the audience.
tarukin

Wow. You really are a determined man.
The Overthinker

He does make fun of inabilities. Specifically, the inability of many Japanese to pronounce English properly. If Japanese spoke English like that on purpose, it might be fair game. But since they do not, it comes across as mocking and condescending. And he probably does say “flied lice” as well.
Claytonian

Now accents are disabilities? Have you never imitated an accent in your life? If so, you are apparently no better than a minstrel singer.
tarukin

The readers post what they want. It’s your choice to read. Skip over the post next time. I think your time would be better spent on other issues, Claytonian. （棒読み）

…Ok I was being a little childish.
But seriously, it’s not really a constructive way of argument, or is it?
Claytonian

Oh but you might be right; this feels hardly like it is worth my time to fuss over too. Of course, your comments come right to my inbox, so…
shazzb0t

A disability and inability are two different things.

There are many Japanese people who have real hard times with English. I guess that you have tried to help someone out who was struggling with certain parts of speech no matter how hard they tried.
Karisu

Hmm… I find it a little odd that people are trying to defend Japanese people that can’t speak English properly, but I’m fairly certain that most of these same people are the first ones to jump down a non-native Japanese speakers trouble pronouncing Japanese words.
The Overthinker

It’s the “nigger” issue here – it’s okay for members of a group to make fun of themselves (eg gaijin learning Japanese), but would you be happy seeing Japanese ‘tarento’ on TV, say, mimicking “gaijin Japanese”? I know I am not.
ponta

The members of group who make fun of their inability and enjoy it usually have the ability to distance themselves from the inability and the ability not to take it seriously and it is likely , in my opinion , that they can enjoy a non-member making fun of that inability if the intention and the context is right. I don’t find Ken’s intention and the context wrong.
The context is wrong, for instance, when you mimic the inability in front of the person who is trying hard to overcome it and feel the inability as a disgrace.
To the extent that there are some people who find it a disgrace, Ken’s act might be in the grey zone, but for my part, I find him just funny.
The Overthinker

“The context is wrong, for instance, when you mimic the inability in front of the person who is trying hard to overcome it and feel the inability as a disgrace.”

Which is why this should not be broadcast on YouTube to the entire world. Yeah, “free speech” and all, but the legality is not the issue.

And what IS his intention? It started off with him pretending to be an adopted child looking for his birth parents, but no idea where it is going now.
ponta

“what IS his intention? It started off with him pretending to be an adopted child looking for his birth parents, but no idea where it is going now.”

Probably even he has no idea where it is going.
But I just don’t think he has a malice intention.

As for whether to broadcast, surely it is a gray zone;some people including a native Japanese like me and a Japanese American on the video find his videos just funny,; others find it offensive. I wonder how many Japanese really care about the vidoes. Sure there will be some, but some native Japanese are working with him. The majority Japanese won’t understand he is mimicing Japanese accent and I wonder how many Japanese who understand it really care about it….it is a gray
zone. It is up to the Japan Probe blogger to decide. And of course people have every right to express their opinions to influence the blogger.

Marcus

I was surprised by that comment too. Maybe you should try and adopt a more humble attitude towards your readers. You exist because of them, don’t you? You should make an effort to appreciate the input rather than just go “oh no, criticism! F*ck you!”

Claytonian

I am not you’re guy’s slave, nor do I have agree with you. I don’t feel it’s wrong to present my side of things when I am criticized.
ponta

I for one appreciate you posting it. I enjoyed it.
If you don’t post it from now , I have to go to see youtube on myself. I really enjoy his talk:honestly I’ve watched his videos several times.
Claytonian

I suspect Ponta is not an exception in liking the vids (Ken has a sizeable following on youtube). But he is an exception in that he is not afraid to speak his mind when the negative people come out. Thanks, Ponta.
shazzb0t

No one is saying that you are anyone’s ‘slave’. All we are saying is that responding to our thoughts on these videos with ‘I’ll post whatever I want whether you like it or not’ is not only childish, it shows that you don’t know how to treat the people who frequent your site. As well, trying to scoff off people’s thoughts about Ken Tanaka’s act as simply being ‘negative’ is more than a little dishonest.

If you want to post Ken Tanaka videos thats fine its your site, but don’t disrespect the people who are offended by those videos. Furthermore, don’t be surprised if people stop coming here as often as they do. I usually like just about every post you, James and Dave have put up, but these ones I really feel we could do without. You don’t want to acknowledge the fact that it could offend people and you make apologies for it. That bugs me just a little.
Claytonian

I value your patronage, ShazzbOt, I just can’t agree with you on the offensive-or-not issue, and do indeed feel bad that you feel dissatisfied. I don’t feel I’ve belittled you by disagreeing though. When all points are moot, I’m gonna stick to my plans.
Marcus

I don’t think Tanaka is very offensive, more like really boring. Of course you get to present your side of the argument, but starting by saying you will ignore whatever your readers happen to think isn’t very… constructive.
cacafuego

Personally I dont find Tanaka to be offensive necessarily, because its clear his intentions are not maligned. Racial stereotypes however are a gray area, albeit a very sensitive one, and Im not so sure that someone outside the given race being stereotyped has any authority to say whether or not it is in fact offensive. If a native Japanese finds this offensive, it simply is, whether or not someone white, black, or orange can justify it to themselves.
Ultimately Claytonian, youre right, in that you can do whatever the hell you want with your blog. As far as racial/cultural stereotyping is concerned on Japan Probe… not much of a surprise considering how many posts take an anti Korean tone.

404error

dude i so dont like this ken tanaka -.-

and the vids are pure crap sry my opinion
The Overthinker

Yeah, this guy pisses me off, and the guy he was talking to was a saint for not putting his fist in “Ken Tanaka’s” face.
ponta

Well probably I am crazy, but I love this guy.
http://lostinube.blogspot.com/ lost in ube

I won’t touch the Ken Tanaka thing.
I will say that even though I haven’t read an issue in several years Giant Robot will always hold a place in my heart. It was one of the first zines that I really got into. It was written by and for Asian Americans of my age at a time when Asian culture wasn’t quite as mainstream (this was around when Jackie Chan finally broke into the mainstream American market with Rumble in the Bronx). I’m surprised it has lasted while other bigger and slicker magazines geared at Asians (A. Magazine and Yolk to name ones off the top of my head) have had to close up shop.
Karisu

I’m not going to get into what I think about Ken Tanaka, but I did actually enjoy this interview/video.
VonSkippy

Ironic how several of these comments show a known Japanese problem – that is, they can “dish it” but they can’t “take it”. Kettle, meet 黒.

shazzb0t

Oh, you wrote another worthless comment. Not surprising.

sireB

You can delete my comments all you want, but at some point you are going to have to realize that this jack-ass is unpopular with your readers.

I am surprised you think this little blog is a public declaration of your quirks, and not simple entertainment for a tiny niche of people, many of whom think this ugly ‘Ken Tanaka’ retard is offensive.

Claytonian

Ironically, your comment was deleted for being offensive.

Dakk

Would you stop wasting everyones time with garbage videos like this? Nobody likes Ken Tanaka, stop sponsoring him.
kt

this guy is a joke and a loser. definitely stop posting his sh*t. freakin ridiculous
sod

ken isn’t funny and his vid’s are getting worse.i always get the feeling that he’s drunk in some of them as well.i understand that the guy is trying to make a career but he really aint got the talent for what he’s trying to pull of.its not borat by a long shot!!!
Claytonian

whoops deleted Dakk’s comment by accident. He very kindly said “You’re acting like a pretentious child, Claytonian.”
The Overthinker

Maybe there should be a poll like “Is ‘Ken Tanaka’ offensive?”

I’d vote Yes.

Dakk

I don’t find him “offensive” in the least, I just find him utterly drab and a waste of space.

ponta

Jokes and Comedies often makes fun of somebody.
Some of them are unacceptable partly because they have malice intentions. I don’t feel a malice intention in Ken.
The Japanese themselves often make fun of their inability to speak English. For instance, a pair of stand-up comedians goes: Asked,”…and sex ?” in English at the airport, in response he said, One … a weak (once a weak) or syuu ikkai” with an odd English flavor. he is stupid(bakayayanaa)….laughter follows. This is a make-up story and nobody takes it seriously. I laughed at Ken’s mimicking a Japanese person in a similar sense.
Wing_Goddess

I’m not going to join the fight, but i just want to say that I’m also NOT a fan of this Ken Tanaka. I don’t find Ken Tanaka nowhere NEAR annoying as his videos on his other account, YouloveKaraokeSteve. It’s so bad it makes me cry
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=c-sLC2e_P3s&feature=related
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silas

Wanted to note that “Ken Tanaka” lived for years in Japan, attending a Tokyo university where he received his degree. Be assured that though he has created a character perhaps somewhat in the style of Andy Kaufman’s Latka, he very genuinely cherishes, understands, and respects Japanese culture.

An Interview with the Founder of Giant Robot Magazine

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