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Jero Impersonator

A Japanese comedian does a duet with African American enka singer Jero:

The comedian says it took many requests before he finally got Jero to join him in the show. Jero looks a bit nervous – perhaps because he’s on a goofy comedy/variety program…or perhaps because of brown face paint? Anyway, it’s always good to get exposure on TV, so even this appearance should help advance Jero’s career.

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22 comments - What do you think? Posted by James - September 24, 2010 at 6:43 am

Categories: Celebrity News, Foreigners in Japan Tags:

blackfaceaintfunny

when will japanese learn that blackface or “brownface” (in this case) is not funny

weirdo

When will westerners learn tha-

Never mind.
Personman

They’ll learn when they try to do it in America…which they’re not that stupid to try…

Shogun

really? is Jero still wearing the du-rag and flat brim hat? somebody update this guy.
gtg

japanprobe – your trusted source for news about every single case of facepainting on japanese tv – established 2006
Hamachiman

‘Blackface’ is a no no and would cause a huge uproar in the U.S. media (and rightfully so). Surprised this one’s not splashed over the American media, with Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton calling for boycotts of Japanese goods.
Michael

I don’t understand, is Jero not offended by blackface?

ponta

To the question, ” How was Hanawa’s song”
Jero replied, ” I’ve never shouted Huu! so I don’t understand where he got the idea, but I am very happy.”
(4.00)

The show should be put in the context. J entertainers impersonate singers with make up　whether the singers’ parent or grandparent are Japanese or not.

In terms of skin color, the old type of Japanese skin color varies from white to brown.

山田健二「爆笑そっくりものまね紅白歌合戦」出演
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUZPTA5uLMg

ものまね紅白歌合戦　青山テルマのものまね　橋本まさを
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MoD3zJbiJSw&feature=related

Note that the entertainers are trying to get a laugh but not by the skin color.

But yes, I am curious as to how Jero would respond to your question.
Jj

Perhaps he’s not. I’m a black American and I don’t get all bent out of shape about it.

Blackface is not objectively a insulting thing, but Americans (and other cultures, I’m sure) have a bad history with it and most people are negatively biased toward it. The Japanese as a whole don’t have the same historical context and negative bias toward it, though. It’s just a stage tool to more closely approximate skin tones.

Jero might have had issues with it himself, but perhaps he had to go out of contractual obligations or something. Whatever the case, were I him, I’d be far more offended that I have to be part of such a silly act than a little blackface.

http://www.locoinyokohama.com loco

You probably don’t get bent out of shape because you don’t know the history. If you do, and don’t get bent then you’re either apathetic and wouldn’t get bent out of shape if the KKK burnt a cross on your lawn, (oh, Klan will be Klan, just some ignorant boys, they don’t know any better, god bless em) or a Tea Party member.

http://tepido.org/ LB

So just what is the history of blackface and racism in Japan?

Lemme answer that for you.

There ain’t one.

You can get all bent out of shape about it if you want, but then I will just have to reserve the right to be outraged, outraged, I tell you, about Eddie Murphy and Arsenio Hall putting on big noses and painting themselves white to portray a pair of old Jews. Or Dave Chappelle painting himself white to represent a white news anchor.

Minstrel shows were racist – but they weren’t racist because the actors wore blackface. They would have been racist even without the makeup. Conversely, one can put on makeup to make themselves resemble something they are not, and not be racist at all.

http://www.locoinyokohama.com locl

Must be the japanese in him…or maybe it’s the money. But that’s a good question. I was thinking the same thing

Mister M

Jero is a great singer!!!
nagoriyuki

I have a Namekian friend and he said that greenface is not funny for him either.
weirdo

America is so barbaric! I mean look at this!

Whiteface? How can you do this?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFpdiwdGA_o&feature=related

Piglet

You should remember that even in US, the Chappelle Show is controversial and offensive. It is definitely not in the same category as a mainstream evening show on a free TV channel.

http://tepido.org/ LB

OK, how about this?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BjrG5QQZxE&feature=related

Piglet

The most offensive thing is probably to give this kind of vulgar shows any credibility by appearing on it…
Piglet

I don’t know if it is good or bad, but the Japanese seem to lack the cultural sensitivity of Americans and Europeans, which would lead in classifying these kind of acts as politically incorrect or even offensive.
I am not sure the same interpretation grid should be used in US and Japan, however in a globalized world it cannot harm to be careful about what might offense other cultures/religions/ethnic groups etc…
http://www.locoinyokohama.com loco

I wonder how a quartet of black women dressed up in kimono (very tight on the hips and rear)and wooden shoes (with heels) with yellow make-up on their faces, bowing compulsively and hiding their faux shame behind fans every few moments, singing J-pop songs in broken Japanese, calling themselves the “Geisha Gyaru,” pimping their new song and video “geisha gonna gitcha” on MTV would be received here…would there suddenly be some kind of sensitivity or would they be a big hit? Seriously, I really don’t know the answer…

http://www.japanprobe.com James

How does your example relate in any way to the content of this video?

The Japanese TV show was about impersonating musicians and singing their songs. Many of the other contestants wore face paint and make-up to make themselves look closer to other Japanese people. This comedian (Hanawa) has painted his face so he looks more like Jero.

He doesn’t promote any stereotypes about black people. He doesn’t mock the way foreigners speak Japanese. He doesn’t do stupid stuff to make fun of American culture or the behavior of Americans. He didn’t put on jet black face paint and wear an afro wig.

All he did was dress up like Jero and put on some make-up so his skin tone would look very similar to that of Jero.

You can say the performance is bad because it kind of reminds you of racist blackface performances, but it’s not even close to the real thing.
ponta

If African American women dressed up, made up, sang and danced like AKB and Morning Musume, there would be no problem. “Hey they like AKB and Morning musume too. That’s cool” would be our reaction, methinks.

If Jero impersonated Kitajima saburo, another enka singer like this,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdr9QQRPZAo

, that would be fun.

Nobody would think, “hey Jero is mocking Japanese.”.

Jero Impersonator

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