Japanese all-girl pop group Morning Musume (モーニング娘) is promoting its newest 41st single titled Kimagure Princess (気まぐれプリンセス) that is set to release on October 28, 2009. Kimagure Princess will be available in 4 versions: Regular Edition, and Limited Editions A, B and C. Limited A and B will include a DVD while Limited C will contain 10 different interchangeable CD covers, each featuring a member of the group as well as a group photo.
CDJapan is accepting pre-orders for the single in all 4 versions. You can get them here:
Jero (ジェロ), the first and only African-American enka singer in Japanese history this week kicked off his first Japan tour by performing at the Tako Community Plaza Hall in Chiba near Tokyo.
Jero (27), who speaks fluently English and Japanese and is always loyal to his hip-hop appearance, became known in Japan about a year and a half ago after releasing his first single Umiyuki (“Ocean snow”), a song that refers to the Sea of Japan. His songs are a mix of modern hip-hop and traditional Japanese enka music. Because of his own style he was able to spark interest in enka among younger generations.
Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, he started singing enka already at the age of six and continued to study Japanese throughout high school and university. His began to love enka because of the influence of his Japanese grandmother. Even though he had no intent to become a singer – he actually planned to become an English teacher and computer engineer – he promised her that one day he will sing at the annual Japanese Kohaku Uta Gassen music show. After graduating university, he moved to Japan permanently where he took part in various competitions and achieved his first real success only two months after arrival. In 2008 he was selected to appear on the 59th Kohaku Uta Gassen musical spectacle for New Year on December 31st. In his participation, he fulfilled the promise to his grandmother who had already passed away three years before he became famous and was never able to see his success. On stage, Jero wore a black and white shirt bearing the image of his grandmother.
In March this year, Jero made his first U.S. appearance during the National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, D.C.
Shima Uta (島唄 – “Island Song”) is a popular song that became very successful in Japan when it was released in 1992 as a single by the Japanese band The Boom and is dedicated to the people of Okinawa who suffered during the American invasion in World War 2. Since then, a lot of different versions by various artists have been released and the song gained popularity in other countries as well. It is also well-known in Argentina where it was used as a theme song for the Argentian soccer team during 2002 FIFA World Cup.
In a 2003 interview for the fRoots magazine, Kazufumi Miyazawa, the lead vocal of The Boom who also wrote the song, said that he got the idea for the song after visiting Okinawa and talking to people there who survived the U.S. Army invasion during World War 2. Here’s a short excerpt from that interview (source: Wikipedia):
“… I saw some remains of the war there and visited the Himeyuri Peace and Memorial Museum and learnt about the female students who became like voluntary nurses looking after injured soldiers. There were no places to escape from the U.S. army in Okinawa, so they had to find underground caves. Although they hid from the U.S. army, they knew they would be searching for them, and thought they would be killed, so they moved from one cave to another. Eventually they died in the caves. I heard this story from a woman who was one of these girls and who survived. I was still thinking about how terrible it was after I left the museum. Sugar canes were waving in the wind outside the museum when I left and it inspired me to write a song. I also thought I wanted to write a song to dedicate to that woman who told me the story. Although there was darkness and sadness in the underground museum, there was a beautiful world outside. This contrast was shocking and inspiring.”
Below are some of the interpretations of Shima Uta I found on YouTube by various singers and groups:
Rimi Natsukawa (Japan)
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Gackt (Okinawa, Japan)
Live performance by A-Mei (Taiwan, China)
Original version by The Boom.
Instrumental version played by shakuhachi and violin.
If you’re interested in the lyrics, here is the lyrics in Japanese (in Romaji) and an English translation:
Shima Uta – Japanese lyrics in Romaji
Tinsagu nu hana ya, chimisachi ni sumiti
Uya nu yushigutu ya, chimu ni sumiri
Deigo no hana ga saki kaze wo yobi arashi ga kita
Deigo ga sakimidare kaze wo yobi arashi ga kita
Kurikaesu kanashimi wa shima wataru nami no you
Uuji no mori de anata to deai
Uuji no shita de chiyo ni sayonara
Shima uta yo kaze ni nori tori to tomo ni umi wo watare
Shima uta yo kaze ni nori todokete okure watashi no namida
Deigo no hana mo chiri saza nami ga yureru dake
Sasayakana shiawase wa utakata no nami no hana
Uuji no mori de utatta tomo yo
Uuji no shita de yachiyo no wakare
Shima uta yo kaze ni nori tori to tomo ni umi wo watare
Shima uta yo kaze ni nori todokete okure watashi no ai wo
Umi yo uchuu yo kami yo inochi yo kono mama towa ni yuunagi wo
Shima uta yo kaze ni nori tori to tomo ni umi wo watare
Shima uta yo kaze ni nori todokete okure watashi no namida
Shima uta yo kaze ni nori tori to tomo ni umi wo watare
Shima uta yo kaze ni nori todokete okure watashi no ai wo
Shima Uta – English lyrics translation
Just as my fingernails are dyed with the pigment from the balsam flowers,
my heart is dyed with the teachings of my parents.
The deigo flower has blossomed, and it has called the wind, and the storm has arrived.
The deigo flowers are in full bloom, and they have called the wind, and the storm has come.
The repetition of sadness, like the waves that cross the islands.
I met you in the Uji forest.
In the Uji forest I bid farewell to Chiyo.
Island song, ride the wind, with the birds, cross the sea.
Island song, ride the wind, carry my tears with you.
The deigo blossoms have fallen, soft ocean waves tremble.
Fleeting joy, like flowers carried by the waves.
To my friend who sang in the Uji forest.
Beneathe the Uji, bid farewell to Yachiyo.
Island song, ride the wind, with the birds, cross the sea.
Island song, ride the wind, carry my love with you.
To the sea, to the universe, to God, to life, carry on this eternal dusk wind.
Island song, ride the wind, with the birds, cross the sea.
Island song, ride the wind, carry my tears with you.
Island Song, ride the wind, with the birds, cross the sea.
Island song, ride the wind, carry my love with you.
October 25, 2009 by Rok | Music & J-Pop | Add your comment »
Jero (ジェロ), the first and only African-American enka singer in Japanese history this week kicked off his first Japan tour by performing at the Tako Community Plaza Hall in Chiba near Tokyo.
