Japanese man impersonates Louis Armstrong
January 5th, 2009 by James
Japanese actor Koichi Yamadera’s version of Louis Armstrong’s “What a Wonderful World“:
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Now if he would take off that stupid paint perhaps I could take his decent impression seriously.
A shame really.
But then he wouldn’t look like Louis Armstrong, which is the whole point of ものまね.
Actually, the entire point of the performance is his rendition of “What a Wonderful World.” You can do that without donning blackface.
Wrong, the point of his performance is he is impersonating Louis Armstrong, a black man, singing “what a wonderful world”. It is kind of hard to impersonate a black man when you look like anything but a black man.
At least, you could try…
http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=xQJtpCpuiG8
Thanks Rorimack. Clearly, some wish to continue their stubborn and myopic views on the use of Blackface in the Japanese media. So be it. It’s a bit sad that they can’t see the other side of the fence at all.
Wow, that is so stupid, it’s beyond compare.
(or should I say it in Engrish: “Wow that very foolishness, it’ So it is; The other side it compares”.)
watching this last night i knew it will be here waiting for- ignorance, hidden racism etc- comments ..
It was just a parody show …. They also did it to Abba ,Mercury and Wado and others …
Do you see them putting white make up on? Think about what you are defending.
So putting a black make up is something beyond acceptance?
The main problem? Should he be bareface?
Is Mercury with hairy chest ok or not for some `racial` reason?
Isn`t disguise a point of such show ?
What about all drag queens?
Actually, they were wearing make-up and wigs to make themselves look more “white”. Care to back up and try again?
My gosh, the out right ignorance and racism here is just astounding. This guy needs to have his teeth kicked in big time and so do the show producers.
“the out right ignorance… here is just astounding. This guy needs to have his teeth kicked in big time and so do the show producers.”
Pot, kettle, black.
Whoops! Was that racist?
I too would like to smack that smile off his face.
This is so unfortunate. I mean, obviously the guy at least has -some- respect for Armstrong because he put so much effort into being able to sing his song so… well. He wasn’t terrible. The crowd appreciated it…
But why doesn’t he realize that performing in black face is insulting to black people everywhere?! Why does this continue?!!?
Ridiculous.
- Harvey
Well, other comedians use makeup to impersonate people of different races (such as the guy on SNL who impersonates Jesse Jackson).
But they are way more subtle with the makeup to just give a suggestion of resemblance.
I guess this person is going in some ways for a more realistic resemblance, but the makeup is horrible close up.
I think whether an impersonation is insensitive would come giving him a stereotypical look or mannerisms that the person they are trying to imitate did not actually have personally.
It’s not clear to me whether they did that.
I voted against Yajima Beauty Salon, but this time I am not sure.
I wouldn’t care, and I guess most Japanese wouldn’t find it insulting if Jero impersonated kitajima saburo with big nostril, wearing make-up and wigs
Here is a Japanese comedian impersonating kitajima
http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=yqnBJ18Zh1E
I believe it’s a lip sync. I don’t think any one can sing it that good, especially while keeping the face.
have you ever seen the real louis armstrong sing it… cause he does the same faces >.>
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vnRqYMTpXHc
What isn’t insulting to black people, or to the white liberals who defend them at every turn? Does someone seriously think this singer is a racist who hates black people? Isn’t anyone offended by black musicians who undermine and degrade their own communities by glorifying crime, violence and misogyny (and then blaming it all on The Man)?
White people love to get offended for other people to show how tolerant they are.
Again, excellent generalizations mate.
White people, man.. I tell ya.
I agree. A very good generalization. Not restricted to white people as such, but to members of any self-perceived or actual majority in this brave new PC world with its intolerance of intolerance….
Actually, perhaps surprisingly to some of you, many folk are offended by so-called gangsta rap. Many people blame it for the issues in their communities. You are trading in stereotypes yourself (blaming “the man”).
Haha, and “white liberals.” That’s a substantial amount of people you are addressing. Breathtakingly simple thoughts.
“Breathtakingly simple thoughts.”
That means oh so much coming from Jack Handy himself…
I have had extensive dealings with white liberals from all over the Western world, and they are all the same regardless of age, gender, nationality or level of education.
I’m sure they are “all the same” as you say.
I think whether an impersonation is insensitive would come *from* giving him a stereotypical look or mannerisms that the person they are trying to imitate did not actually have personally.
The impersonator is exaggerating some of Armstrong’s actual mannerisms but that is typically done in impersonations.
Sigh, the moment I saw that video I knew there’d be a discussion like this when I got here.
I’m black and personally, I don’t really find anything offensive about it. I thought it was a rather odd-looking monomane, but otherwise a pretty fun video to watch.
I don’t think his movements were impersonating any racial stereotype of black people. Just Louis Armstrong’s.
As a Black man I do not find this at all offensive. Japanese people do not have a history of oppressing/enslaving Black People. It was innocent make-up with no racist sentiments.
It would only be offensive if this was performed by White Europeans/Americans.
Which means you’re full of crap. What difference does it make WHO does the performance. Either it’s racist and in poor taste – or it’s performance art and no big deal.
What difference does it make?
Are you really that ignorant? There are very racist connotations associated with White people performing a routine with “blackface” – try checking up on the history of it.
The Japanese have no history of such thing, therefore it is not offensive to me.
By white people I presume you mean Americans. Would you think some Norwegians doing it was okay, since I don’t think Norway has any history of black slavery? Who are white people? Any non-blacks who live in America perhaps. What if some Norwegians moved to America and then did this impersonation, are you cool with that?
You seem to not find it offensive because the Japanese did not have a history of black slavery, but do they have no history of racial discrimination? I’m pretty sure they were and are discriminatory.
By the way, I’m Australian, we didn’t have any slavery but we killed a lot of Aboriginals. So if I do a blackface sketch about African Americans it should be okay, but not a blackface sketch about Aboriginals.
My point is, no one should do this, ever again, for any race about any other race.
it was quite enjoyable. i see no racism, etc. just an impersonator that had it down remarkably well.
This is pretty sad.
For all of you defending this, do you get upset when white people paint their faces yellow and play Asian characters in movies?
Think about it.
Not unless the purpose of the makeup the white guy is wearing is to denigrate and belittle asians. If some white guy (or black guy or hispanic guy…) tints his skin, puts on an “asian” wig and tapes the corners of his eyes to do his best Bruce Lee impersonation, it wouldn’t bother me at all.
Ha. Asians would get upset if other Asians imitated Bruce Lee let alone white people. Remember all those bad copy cat chop suey movies with “Bruce Lee” that pissed everyone off?
If a white guy pretended to be Bruce Lee there might be a riot.
“Bawwwww, racism!”
Oh shut up and get off your high horses. Do you get so mad when a black comedian does a white impersonation, or did you get offended when Dave Chappelle put on make up to appear white and make fun of white mannerisms/stereotypes? No, you didn’t; do you know why? Because you’re a hypocrite. Calm down and laugh at a joke, or just shut up if you’re too foolish to get it.
-A black man who is grounded in reality
Thanks for all comments from Black people. They reflected that this Japanese impersonator’s performance is acceptable.
-An Asian man
Who was the girl at :59 ? She’s not Japanese, eh? Her expression is laughably fake.
She is Suzanne (スザンヌ), whose true name is Sae Yamamoto. She is Japanese.
Anyone who finds this offensive is truly an American. America is so “PC” these days that no one can do anything without sounding or being “offensive” America, “the land of freedom”
I think not.
This is just a guy who is imitating. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery and I thought this guy did an amazing job.
Oh yeah, and if you think he is lip syncing, check out how he pronounces “world” VERY Japanese!
Excellent generalizations!
Here is the clip of the same Koichi Yamadera impersonating a white guy, Scatman John.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGg_P7qFZLs
He off course impersonated many Japanese, too.
Masayoshi Yamazaki: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tsysDDTjn8I
Blue Hearts: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBiTTOtD6FM
It is at least clear that he had no intention to mock paticular race (unlike Yajima Beauty Salon). He was just impersonating famous artists.
Having said it, though, I do think he could use more subtle make-ups for Louis.
The key difference here is that he is trying to look like Armstrong, who happened to be black, rather than trying to look like a black man who just happens to sing.
Agreed.
“What a wonderfurr worrddd”
“As a Black man I do not find this at all offensive. Japanese people do not have a history of oppressing/enslaving Black People. It was innocent make-up with no racist sentiments.
It would only be offensive if this was performed by White Europeans/Americans.”
I personally have no history of oppressing or enslaving anyone. Neither does my family for many many generations. Beyond that, I’m not sure. Being white and living in America, would I be considered racist for apply black make-up to do a very thorough impression of a famous black singer?
I know blackface has become very tainted. In the 20’s and 30’s it’s use in entertainment was obviously insulting to the black community. It was meant to portray black people as stupid, ugly, awkward, etc. The painted faces were only part of the act, though. The actors would change the way they walk into an over-done strut of discomposure, they would speak in a way that made them sound stupid and act in a way that made them look like idiots.
In this case we have someone who is singing a very famous song by a very famous black musician. He has obviously practiced a lot to mimmick Louis Armstrong’s voice and singing quirks. His facial expressions are done to impersonate the same facial expressions that Louis Armstrong did characteristically. He even comes out dressed very nicely in a tuxedo.
How can any of you find insult in this?
The reason it can be considered offensive is based on history. People used to perform in black face in a way that was only meant to make fun of blacks. This was racial humor during a time when black people were heavily discriminated against. I think it’s because of this that some people can find it offensive.
Anyway I didn’t think his performance was that great. That song had a lot of L’s and R’s in it and his Japanese accent was showing through a lot. Nice try though I guess.
if black folks can say nigga, and tell people its a positive thing, that they are taking the word back and changing the meaning, then i say as a white american (whos roots are from ireland, which btw america heartily discriminated against during the irish famine immigrations) why cant i do blackface, as long as its not racist? i’m not trying to tie it to blackface of of the early 1900’s, i’m just changing it and making it appropriate for todays time.
and the irish lived in the ghettos of new york, made nothing, and worked hard labor for many years before being recognized. I cant say it’s anything at all like the african slavery which occured, but isnt it time to grow up and move on? the more we look at the past, the longer it will take to fix our present.
lets just all be people.
The Irish and African slaves in the US had a lot in common you are right, but this isn’t exactly related to the history of Blackface.
It doesn’t work like that. “You guys say it so I can say it,” isn’t sound logic. Given the history of the word and how it is employed by African-Americans as a means of deflating the word’s power over them I’d hope people would understand why this logic isn’t sound, but apparently we have a ways to go yet.
Not every black person takes that word positively either. It’s a mistake to assume so.
Yea, like the other black readers of this blog, I too am black and I don’t really find anything blatantly racist about this. The black makeup too me just help to reinforce the facial expressions he tried to imitate of Armstrong. Other than that, I just had a good laugh.
he sounded like the cookie monster lol
As a person who was actually discriminated and subject to racism, i feel i should weigh in on this.Bottom line, not racist or offensive.The guy just was impersonating armstrong, not in a derogatory or offensive way.I can see how some americans can take it the wrong way,because of history and such.Every country and land has had slaves, but america was the one that was so messed up about it.While other slaves were just for labor, americans thought they were better than the balcks, and even did blackface bands making fun of them, which is why everyone is so damn PC about it.