Jazz Kissa
Jazz kissa, unique Japanese cafés for dedicated jazz listening, peaked in the 1970s with 600 venues but have declined. Some adapt to modern trends, influencing similar establishments globally.
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Jazz kissa, or jazz cafés, are unique establishments in Japan that focus on the dedicated listening and appreciation of recorded jazz music. Originating in the late 1920s, these cafés emerged as part of a broader fascination with Western culture. Initially, there were around 80 jazz kissa before World War II, but many closed during the war. The post-war era saw a resurgence, with jazz kissa becoming vital venues for accessing imported jazz records, which were often too expensive for individuals. At their peak in the mid-1970s, approximately 600 jazz kissa operated across Japan. However, the rise of personal audio equipment and live music venues led to a decline in their numbers. Today, while many jazz kissa have closed, some continue to thrive, adapting to modern tastes by creating relaxed environments and hosting live performances. The ambiance typically features high-quality sound systems, dim lighting, and a curated selection of vinyl records. Jazz kissa have played a significant role in shaping Japan's appreciation of jazz as a high art form and have inspired similar listening bars in other countries.
- Jazz kissa are dedicated spaces for listening to jazz music, unique to Japan.
- They peaked in the mid-1970s with around 600 establishments but have since declined.
- The cafés serve as cultural hubs for jazz enthusiasts and musicians.
- Contemporary jazz kissa are adapting to modern trends by targeting younger audiences.
- The influence of jazz kissa has spread internationally, inspiring similar venues worldwide.
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15 commentsBut it’s also sad how this would absolutely never work in NA due to commercial rent prices. Most of them seemed to be ran by an older man (70+, I’d guess). And from my chats with some of them, they owned the property as well. It was just a blissful experience to have a drink, listen to music that the owner deemed to find great, and just let your mind wander around.
One of them introduced me to some amazing jazz bands that I’ve never heard of, and talked a lot about the history of such places. Shout out to Hideki-san!
Curious to hear if people from HN would consider this a good idea or not.
Jimbocho also has a lot of used book stores, I highly recommend checking the area out.
https://shop.specialprojects.jp/products/kissa-by-kissa-4th-...
It was probably less of a problem when you owned physical copies, but I don’t see it working (legally) with digital rights restrictions.
I worked as a barista over a decade ago and our cafe paid a not insignificant amount of special CDs that were allowed for public retail use (Muzak?)
people are loud and they mostly are just trendy up-market bars, rather than a place to enjoy the music.
staff in two of the places i visited in tokyo actively shushed you if you were too loud, which is actually a feature, to me
I stayed at one in Tokyo one night when I couldn't find accommodation. (Cherry blossom + uni graduation weekend = everything is booked.)
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