12 posts tagged “ai otsuka”

If you read any of my recent translation posts, you may have noticed that I've been putting up banners at the end of them. Hopefully, the message was clear from just glimpsing at them, LOL. (^___^") In general, there are two different sets of banners although both carry the same notion: music should be properly bought.

I was prompted to embark on this endeavour because of the increasingly errant arguments I've recently found myself getting into. Some of my friends don't quite understand why I would waste my money on original copies of games, movies, music and whatever it is that I wish to so have since all these things can readily be attained "for free". Indeed, it got even more confusing for them when they realised that I do download things... and that the things I download are the same things I buy... (^___^") So I guess I can't really blame them for finding my position a little odd, can I?

Nonetheless, arguments can seem somewhat unavoidable as my group and I do sit around talking about theoretical issues every now and then, so it's no surprise that we would launch into discourses on the false premises behind the concept of "copyright", the omni-capital might of corporations, and the propagation of the neoliberal agenda, amongst other things (yes, I really am as boring as I sound). But try as I might, I find it very hard to support their position on this issue.

Don't get me wrong though, I have no love for the entertainment industry's incessant chiming that "downloading is theft", nor do I have any respect for their heavy-handed tactics of taking individuals to court in what amounts to outright corporate bullying. No, it is not because I buy their arguments that I buy originals.

Rather, my commitment to purchasing these items is borne from the reasoning that I ultimately live in a meritocratic society, whether I like it or not. It must be stressed then that in a meritocratic society, people are asked to "vote with their wallets" - and when this becomes the primary means of communicating the public will, the purchase of music inevitably buys an artist credibility and legitimacy; however, it also means the converse is ever truer: not purchasing anything from an artist will effectively amount to a vote of no confidence.

Thus, it is for this reason that I have no qualms about forking out the money to buy my music, among other things. It is not in support of the capitalist machinery, but in support of the artist. Not for EMI, but for Hikki; not for avex, but for Ai-chin; not for Warner, but for ayaka; and certainly, not for Sony, but for YUI.

As mentioned, I'm not trying to say that downloading is a bad thing - in fact, I doubt J-pop could have grown so large without such facilitation but in the end of the day, there aren't many avenues with which I could show my appreciation for the impact their work has on my life; so, fortunately for me, one of these methods is hopping into a store and picking up that disc.

With that then, allow me to move on to address each of the two sets of banners and give a very brief description of what I was trying to convey with the words I used, LOL. (^___^")

You may have already figured this out, but "love support" is a play on the compound noun, "life support". The idea is simply to encourage people to support the things they love and, at a time when people seem to be buying less music, it serves as a reminder for us not to inadvertently pull the plug on our music.

The banners that have so far been created under this stream are,

Put Your Music on Love Support : Utada Hikaru

Put Your Music on Love Support : Ai Otsuka

Put Your Music on Love Support : ayaka

Put Your Music on Love Support : YUI

2 comments

Put Your Music on Love Support : alan

Put Your Music on Love Support : Perfume

Put Your Music on Love Support : Miho Fukuhara

I have to admit that although it seems quite simple, I actually put quite a lot of thought into the words, "FUEL YOUR PASSION" - specifically thinking of each word, the direction of their meaning, rhythm, pronunciation and so on. The point of this stream is to raise awareness that we, as individuals, have a responsibility to sustain the things that we truly feel about.

The banners created to date in this stream are,

Fuel Your Passion : Utada Hikaru

Fuel Your Passion : Ai Otsuka

Fuel Your Passion : ayaka

Fuel Your Passion : YUI

Fuel Your Passion : alan

Fuel Your Passion : Perfume

Fuel Your Passion : Miho Fukuhara

Well, I've run out of steam, so I guess it's time to bring this post to its conclusion. Check back in a day or so as a translation post follows shortly on the heels of this post! LOL (^___^")

It's been such a very long time since I last heard from Ai-chin that it was a real blast to finally have been able to translate something from this prolific singer-songwriter once more. Oh Ai-chin, how I've missed the madness that seems to so naturally come out of that whacky head of yours! LOL

Nonetheless, I haven't been up to too much save for getting kids up to speed with their exam requirements and making a circus out of my Sunday School class... Indeed, although the summer break has already begun for university undergraduates, Hong Kong primary and secondary schoolers are still stuck in their classrooms trying to grasp why singing in the rain amidst a lightning storm may not be as wonderful a feeling as promised as well as other useful geographical principles... (^___^") Well, so much for the quality time I've been dreaming of allocating to catch up on my backlog of J-drama, but hey, at least I have the time and leisure to do translations - so I really shouldn't be complaining, LOL.

Well, with little on my life to update about, allow me to cut to the chase and proclaim my allegiance to my mistress, Otsuka-sama, as I am, after all, a prisoner of LOVE-chan (that would be Ai-chin's rabbit mascot - not that weird airy-fairy concept that makes the heart beat faster and all, LOL)... (^___^")

Listen to a sample of ロケットスニーカー (~1:30 mins)

ロケットスニーカー (Sample, ~1:30 mins)

Ai Otsuka (大塚 愛)

First appearance:
Track 1 from Ai-chin's single, ロケットスニーカー (Released 2008/05/21).

PV availability:
There is one very awesome PV that took Ai-chin massive amounts of time to create for the purpose of promoting this zany track. If you ever felt deprived of Ai-chin in the past months then feel deprived no more as this PV entreats you to an entire army of Ai-chins, LOL. Standing in a line with each image of her progressing an action further (resulting in muscle aches for our beloved nut-case), the PV puts forward the theme of progress while also maintaining a very happy atmosphere. It really is very hard to properly describe the PV, so instead, I would strongly urge you to check it out since it's so very awesome! (^ o ^)

Theme song:
This song is the ending theme to Sanma Akashiya's (明石家さんま) talk show, Sanma no Manma (さんまのまんま).

Alternative versions:
There are no alternative versions of the song at this moment.

Comments:
You can consider rocket sneakers a love song to some degree - a love song dedicated to our planet. Indeed, although the lyrics themselves make no mention of those rocket sneakers that comprise the song's title, they are essential if one is to understand how Ai-chin ended up kissing the Earth... (Yup, Ai-chin blasted herself into space with her mighty rocket sneakers to fall in love with the Earth, LOL. (^___^"))

So, in case LOVE MUSiC did not convey Ai-chin's love for humanity and the Earth clearly enough, then rocket sneakers offers an alternative expression of that love. In the song, she personifies the Earth into a character so endearing and accessible that it almost makes it shameful for anyone to remain indifferent to the Earth's plight. Beyond this environmental leaning though, there lies another discourse in the song as well. That discussion is one about life on our beautiful planet.

In speaking about life, Ai-chin acknowledges that life has its ups and downs but goes on to say that it is in threading the middle ground between good and bad that we come to experience life to its fullest. Indeed, without experiencing both the good and the bad in life, we will never be able to understand the joy of living for the sake of living. Certainly, if one were only able to see the rottenness of their lives then one will come to disregard how precious one's life is; but if one were only able to see the goodness of their lives then one will come to disregard how much life means to others. Acknowledging this balance then, she implies that it is only in accepting both the good and the bad that we can understand what it means to live life for the pure sake of living.

In noting all this, Ai-chin was not ignorant to the fact that the Earth does not always seem to play nice, which is why the verse about a discouraging and unfathomable Earth is so important as it links Ai-chin's personified Earth to the one we all know. The last line of that verse, "Really, I just want to tell you this..." also serves to enhance her message as it makes her appear to be simply commenting to a long time friend - yet another very nice touch to the lyrics.

Without doubt, there is a lot more to this song than I have discussed but hopefully that covers the main themes of the song. Musically, the piece is actually really catchy and very upbeat which suits the message it is trying to convey. Also, take notice of the piano as it does very well to play out her journey into space. In terms of Ai-chin's vocals, there is no mistaking the joy that shines forth as the cuteness of her voice makes the entire piece so very addictive and charming.

With that, it's really time to pass on this infectious song as I move onwards to the lyrics segment~ LOL (^___^")

---

Lyrics:
Japanese lyrics retrieved from uta-net.com with a tad of modifications. (^___^")

--------------------------------------
日本語:
ロケットスニーカー
--------------------------------------
歌手: 大塚 愛
作詞: 愛
作曲: 愛
--------------------------------------
地球からステップ踏んで　軽くして浮いている
あぁ　地球っこ

生まれて育って出会った
君とずいぶん散歩した

あたりまえに苦しんで
あたりまえに感動して
あたりまえに生きていきたい、君と、君と、君と。

地球からステップ踏んで　軽くして浮いている
あぁ　ここにいる
好きなもの増やして
好きな景色を見ている
あぁ　地球っこ

ほどけて　からまる　キモチ
こわれないで　大事にしたいよ

本当は　心細くて
本当は　未知数で
本当は　伝えたいんだ、君に、君に、君に。

地球にThank you! タッチして
空に向かって飛んでゆく
あぁ　ここにいる
好きなうたうたって
好きな人とキスをする
あぁ　地球っこ

地球からステップ踏んで　軽くして浮いている
あぁ　ここにいる
好きなもの増やして
好きな景色を見ている　あぁ!!

地球にThank you! タッチして
空に向かって飛んでゆく
あぁ　ここにいる
好きなうたうたって
好きな人とキスをする
あぁ、地球っこ。

-------------------------------------------------------
romaji:
roketto suniikaa
-------------------------------------------------------
kashyu: ootsuka ai
sakushi: ai
sakkyoku: ai
romaji: crystalise
-------------------------------------------------------
chikyuu kara suteppu funde   karuku shite uite iru
aa   chikyuukko

umarete sodatte deatta
kimi to zuibun sanpo shita

atari mae ni kurushinde
atari mae ni kandou shite
atari mae ni ikite ikitai, kimi to, kimi to, kimi to.

chikyuu kara suteppu funde   karuku shite uite iru
aa   koko ni iru
suki na mono fuyashite
suki na keshiki wo mite iru
aa   chikyuukko

hodokete   karamaru   kimochi
kowarenai de   daiji ni shitai yo

hontou wa   kokoro bosokute
hontou wa   michisuu de
hontou wa   tsutaetain da, kimi ni, kimi ni, kimi ni.

chikyuu ni Thank you! tacchi shite
sora ni mukatte tonde yuku
aa   koko ni iru
suki na uta utatte
suki na hito to kisu wo suru
aa   chikyuukko

chikyuu kara suteppu funde   karuku shite uite iru
aa   koko ni iru
suki na mono fuyashite
suki na keshiki wo mite iru   aa!!

chikyuu ni Thank you! tacchi shite
sora ni mukatte tonde yuku
aa   koko ni iru
suki na uta utatte
suki na hito to kisu wo suru
aa, chikyuukko.

----------------------------------------
English:
Rocket Sneakers
----------------------------------------
Performed by: Ai Otsuka
Lyricist: ai
Composer: ai
Translated by: crystalise
----------------------------------------
Stepping off from the earth and growing increasingly weightless so as to float,
Ah~ I can see you now, Little Miss Earth.*

Being born, raised, and then getting to meet you,
I somehow went off on a walk together with you.

How normal this heart-wrenching emotion is,
How normal this heart-moving emotion is,
How normal this living with a desire to live is – when you are around.

Stepping off the earth and beginning to float,
Ah~ here you are!
The things that I so love seem to be ever increasing as
The vistas that I so love come visible to me,
Ah~ there they are with you, Little Miss Earth.

This untangled and entangled feeling,
I want to treasure it with an unshakeable resolve!

Really, you can be quite discouraging at times,
Really, you can be quite an unknown quantity at times,
Really, I just want to tell you this...

Thank you, good Earth, for having me be a part of you as
I lift off towards the sky now,
Ah~ to see that you are right here!
I am singing the song that I so love as
I kiss the one that I so love,
Ah~ that would be you, Little Miss Earth.

Stepping off the earth and lightening up to a float,
Ah~ here you are in front of me!
Increasing are the things that I so love as
I am able to see the sceneries that I so love~ ah!!

Thank you, good Earth, for having me as a part of you as
I am lifting off towards the sky,
Ah~ to see you here before my eyes!
The song that I love I am singing as
The one that I love I am kissing,
Yea, that’d be you, Little Miss Earth.

---

Notes:
*Note 1: Literally, “Ah, Earth child.” Well, that is what it should translate to if we take it to its most literal form. The problem is the fact that the construction “っ子” is actually a very informal way of referring to a child or, if not a child, then a female. This also hints a very strong sense of familiarity – something which you would call your really close friend but not your boss! (^__^")

---

Links:
Ai Otsuka official website (maintained by avex trax)
Purchase ロケットスニーカー/One × Time online (via YesAsia Global)

Put Your Music on Love Support : Ai Otsuka

LOL, I had to go back to touch up the last post... writing while sick is not often a good idea, but then again, my writing is not all that good even when I am healthy... (^___^")

Anyhow, as you may know, there are certain artists that I dedicate myself to always translating and there are some that I just translate because I enjoy specific songs from their repertoire. For the artists that I commit to always translate, I have a list of all their songs, organised by singles and albums, to make sure that I constantly return to try to complete translating all their music in some systematic way.

It came as a surprise to me then when I noticed that I still had not translated and posted on pocket's B-side, ticket from Ai-chin's list! So, in order that we avoid knowing the colour of tears, let us journey back into Ai-chin's world with ticket. (Yes, YUI is the subject of my next translation post, although it's only two more days to ayaka's next single!)

Listen to a sample of チケット (~1:30 mins)

チケット (Sample, ~1:30 mins)

Ai Otsuka (大塚 愛)

2 comments

First appearance:
Track 2 from Ai's single, ポケット (Released 2007/11/07).

PV availability:
There is no PV for this single - but with Ai-chin, no one really knows how long that will stay true.

Theme song:
This is not featured as a theme song to anything.

Alternative versions:
There are no alternative versions of the song to date.

Comments:
As with most of her B-sides, ticket complements pocket by offering a change of pace as well as an extension of the message found in the A-side. The ticket which Ai-chin refers to is actually a "date" - a date that she has obviously worked hard to get! (^___^")

From that line of reasoning, it's not a difficult leap to understand how the "long journey" is actually a "long-term relationship" that the ticket gives access to. Knowing these two major metaphors help the rest of the lyrics fall into their meaningful places when one pictures Ai-chin frantically running around in the act of courtship! LOL

To some extent, ticket is about love, courtship, and commitment. There is little doubt that the whole affair seems like "love at first sight" to her; but even then, she is realistic about what a relationship needs in order to mature. She notes that the relationship will likely be a mix of good and bad but, more importantly, that the experience will probably be worth it nonetheless. Indeed, there is much truth in a relationship being capable of imparting many of life's lessons simply from its experience - regardless of the outcome.

Moving on to the music, the way in which it conjures such a strong image of a train emerging from a tunnel in the beginning and then coming to a stop at the end of the song is pure brilliance in composition. The rest of the piece is wrapped in a nicely paced package that features a particularly captivating beat once you get into it. I have to admit though, it took me more than one attempt to get into it... LOL (^___^")

---

Lyrics:
Japanese lyrics were retrieved from uta-net.com, with some modifications, as usual. (^___^")

--------------------------------------
日本語:
チケット
--------------------------------------
歌手: 大塚 愛
作詞: 愛
作曲: 愛
--------------------------------------
赤い糸　うっすらとつながる　絆
まばたきの合図で　花　ヒラク
平凡な　幸せがいい
心　あったまれば　2人ハーモニー
自由な行き先へ

長い旅のチケット　せっかく手に入れたの
あたしはあなたと　一緒に行きたい
涙も流すでしょう、
痛みもぶつけるでしょう、
笑顔を重ねるでしょう、
ステキでしょう。

2人の瞳が永遠に閉じてしまうまで
優しくしてね　時より　の　なれあい
もっと　解ってほしいよ
思いやりから生まれるハーモニー
あたしの特別席

長い旅のチケット　半分受けとってくれますか?
何があったとしても　ついていきます
やりきれなくもなるでしょう、
不安も唱えてしまうでしょう、
支えあうことでしょう、
ステキでしょ?

キューティなムードにクールなyou
ほっぺにつーんとしてビートにわくわく
用意して今夜はキラキラ

長い旅のチケット　せっかく手に入れたの
あたしはあなたと　一緒に行きたい
涙も流すでしょう、
痛みもぶつけるでしょう、
顔を重ねるでしょう、
ステキでしょう。

-------------------------------------------------------
romaji:
chiketto
-------------------------------------------------------
kashyu: ootsuka ai
sakushi: ai
sakkyoku: ai
romaji: crystalise
-------------------------------------------------------
akai ito   ussurato tsunagaru   kizuna
mabataki no aizu de   hana   hiraku
heibon na   shiawase ga ii
kokoro   atta mareba   futari haamonii
jiyuu na ikisaki e

nagai tabi no chiketto   sekkaku te ni ireta no
atashi wa anata to   issho ni ikitai
namida mo nagasu deshou,
itami mo butsukeru deshou,
egao wo kasaneru deshou,
suteki deshou.

futari no me ga eien ni tojite shimau made
yasashiku shite ne   toki yori   no   nareai
motto   wakatte hoshii yo
omoi yari kara umareru haamonii
atashi no tokubetsu seki

nagai tabi no chiketto   hanbun uke totte kuremasu ka?
nani ga atta to shite mo   tsuite ikimasu
yarikirenaku mo naru deshou,
fuan mo tonaete shimau deshou,
sasae au koto deshou,
suteki desho?

kyuuti na muudo ni kuuru na YOU
hoppe ni tsuunto shite biito ni wakuwaku
youi shite konya wa kirakira

nagai tabi no chiketto   sekkaku te ni ireta no
atashi wa anata to   issho ni ikitai
namida mo nagasu deshou,
itami mo butsukeru deshou,
egao wo kasaneru deshou,
suteki deshou.

----------------------------------------
English:
Ticket
----------------------------------------
Performed by: Ai Otsuka
Lyricist: ai
Composer: ai
Translated by: crystalise
----------------------------------------
With this red string, delicately tied together, we are bonded.
At the flashing signal lights, there are flowers that stand in bloom.
There is certainly something nice about this mundane happiness.
When hearts begin to warm, they bring harmony between two people,
Making them drift towards a terminus called “freedom”.

I went to great lengths to obtain this ticket for a long journey
And honestly, I want to go on it with you.
There is a possibility that tears will be shed,
As well as a possibility that we may come up against some pain,
Yet it could also be a journey filled with smile after smile,
And regardless of that all, it would probably be wonderful.

Even in the time when our eyes close for eternity,
It would all be quite tender – those were the feelings of intimacy we shared*
And I want to know it ever more!
Indeed, thoughtfulness breeds harmony
And that’s why, I saved a seat especially for you.**

I have here a ticket for this long journey, could you receive half of it for me?
Without reserve, I really hope you could tag along.
There is a possibility that it could become unbearable,
As well as a possibility that we may quarrel about our apprehensions,
Yet it could also be a journey where we learn to mutually support each other,
And all that would be wonderful, wouldn’t it?

There is a cool person in you within your “cutie” moods,
I could see the excitement on your cheeks as they warm to the prudish beat.
The preparations that have gone into tonight are now sparkling...

I worked really hard to get this ticket for one long journey
And I really want to go on it with you.
It’s quite possible that we would shed tears,
And we could possibly experience heartache too,
But it may also be a journey filled with smile upon smile.
Still, even with all that, it would probably be one wonderful journey.

---

Notes:
*Note 1: Literally, “It was quite tender, huh? It was from the warm relationship we shared at the time.”

**Note 2: Literally, “My reserved seat,” however, in context it makes no sense for her to be talking about her own reserved seat since the words before spoke about thoughtfulness or consideration. Extending this concept further then, it doesn’t require too much of a jump to reason that her special seat is, in fact, saved for someone else.

---

Links:
Ai Otsuka official website (maintained by avex trax)
Purchase ポケット online (via YesAsia Global)

I've been terribly busy and sick these past few weeks, so do forgive me for this oversized post... LOL... I did notice that, somehow, two words kept cropping up in every segment... and they are "Sony" and "touch" ... Is this really all there is to my life!? (O__o) LOL

Anyhow, this post is really as pointless as it is long, so if you do decide to scroll down... don't say I didn't warn you... LOL (^__^")

Birthday and Christmas Rolled into One Giant Gift

Christmas and Birthday in January

After six years of loyal service, the time has come to decommission my Casio Exilim digital camera to make way for my new Sony DSC-T200. This camera came as a gift from my sister and mother, both of whom got it for me as a combined birthday-Christmas present.

My jaw dropped when I first got it... I never expected to get something like this as a gift and it seemed almost sinful to accept it! But being the sinner I am, I took it nonetheless... LOL. Seriously though, "THANK YOU" to the two of you... never in my dreams would I have thought that I would get something like this as a gift! m(_ _)m

The functionality found in this camera really made me feel out-of-date... My previous understanding of point-and-shoot cameras are simply that they have standard buttons to operate the camera with. After receiving the T200 though, I realised that times have changed and touch is really the next big thing in input interfaces.

Touch Me

Yup. As if it was a recent discovery to me, the T200 uses touch screen technology to up the ante on its competition. It may sound like a novelty at first but after playing around with it, it's clear that the touch panel provides more functionality than previously possible.

Functions such as pointing out a subject to focus on even if it is not at the centre of the viewfinder and editing specific areas of a picture with the touch screen, instead of editing an entire picture.

Beyond the advantages of touch however, the T200 is also equipped with several nifty features like the "Smile Shutter".

In "Smile Shutter" mode, the camera only snaps the picture when it detects that everyone in the picture is smiling. The way it's set up actually makes for some really reliable results and frankly, I've gotten more pictures of big smiles under this mode than I've ever had with my old camera.

I have to say again that I never dared to wish for a gift as cool as this. So once more, a million thanks to my mom and sis for this super awesome gift. You can expect pictures from this little baby to be posted here in the near future! \(^ o ^)/

Continuing on with all my Sony praising (it's hard to say I'm not a Sony fanboy... but I really try not to be... LOL), we return to the Playstation family in the next segment...

Firmware Updates for the People!

It wasn't very long ago that I was singing praises about firmware updates and how they expanded functionality on the devices they were on. Certainly, it's hard to fault Sony for continuing to push the limits of what the Playstation family could do with updated firmware.

In the latest Playstation 3 firmware update, Sony expanded the types of files it was capable of playing to include DivX - the format in which most of my drama is encoded. The best part obviously comes when combined with Remote Play, which allows you to stream all your media from wherever you are!

On the right, for example, the hugely successful 2007 comedy 有閑倶楽部 (Yukan Club) is being streamed over to the PSP via wireless network.

Also buried in that firmware bundle is an awesome music visualiser called Gaia. It's a deviation from the normal trance-like music visualisations in that it's a visualiser that simply features our blue planet floating in space. The picture below is of one among several aspects where the sun rises from the Earth. The fact that Aya Kamiki (上木彩矢) was singing A constellation in the picture is, in fact, coincidental... (^___^")

At this point, I doubt I could be any clearer about my allegiance to Sony, LOL, but they are treating me so well - why hate? In fact, it's probably because Sony is treating me so well that I'm so very unimpressed with Apple...

Music Visualisers Made Beautiful

2 comments

"Unimpressed" actually seems like an understatement considering how annoyed I am over the whole affair. I can understand that Apple is a poor company and needs to milk customers for maximum profit, but deciding to charge so high a price for a minor iPod touch firmware upgrade borders on the ludicrous.

If it's only the price though, I'd be fine with that since I simply won't pay, but the darned upgrade installs itself into the iPod touch and just sits there - dormant. Sure, I was annoyed but not as annoyed as when I found out that my album art was getting messed up all of a sudden! (>__<) (A quick Google search made me realise that I am not alone)

Seriously, everything was fine until I installed the blasted pay-me-to-work update... Both my iTunes and iPod nano have no problems with the album art and neither did my iPod touch before this... Really, there is something very disturbing about listening to Ai-chin's 恋愛写真 while staring at Sum 41's Does this Look Infected? album art... *sigh*

Anyhow, I should stop ranting now - being upset isn't good for the health, so instead, let me turn my attention to Ai-chin for a dose of instant relief! (^___^)v

On January 1st, 2008, avex trax released their first concert on high-definition disc mediums, that is, on HD-DVD and Blu-ray and it would be Ai-chin that would lead the charge with [LOVE IS BORN] ~4th Anniversary 2007~ at Hibiya-Yagai Ongaku-Do on 9th September 2007. (You can see that the Japanese don't really mind their titles going on and on and on... LOL)

To date, she has had two [LOVE IS BORN] concerts - one in 2006 and the last, well, in 2007. These concerts are special because they fall on her birthday and provide her with a vehicle to celebrate the occasion with her biggest fans. The concerts also celebrate her time as a musician because it was one day after her birthday in 2003 that she debuted in the Japanese music scene. This entire concept took shape in 2006 because that was the year she celebrated her 24th birthday, which is significant only in that that is the age in which an individual reaches the second cycle of their Chinese zodiac sign. (Like me, Ai-chin also has a dog for her zodiac, LOL (^___^"))

Planetarium Acoustics in HD

In general, the mood of these concerts are actually very different from that of her other concerts because she is a lot more relaxed here and the audience is always super in-tune with Ai-chin. Seriously, she only has to lift a finger and everyone in the audience knows what to do! Heck, even in the beginning when she still had yet to show up, everybody knew what to do! How is that for artist-fan synergy? (^___^)v

Also in these events, she will treat fans with an early live performance of her then-upcoming single as well as deliver touching renditions of her other works - such as an acoustic version of プラネタリウム (planetarium) and a solo piano version of 夏空 (natsuzora). She would also go ahead and do things that she probably won't do in her more "official" concerts... things such as playing team skip rope in the middle of a song and things like this...

Ai-chin Showing Love to Her Fans

Seriously, she's been practising that for three months... LOL... and it was in front of this crowd that she finally showed off her prowess in the field of strings. It wasn't quite Vanessa Mae, but then again, ample warning was given to anyone who dared listen before she put bow to string. (^___^")

In the end, it's nice to see that the Japanese music industry is slowly but surely moving on into the high-definition age. Sony Records, unsurprisingly, led the charge with Mika Nakashima's (中島美嘉) LET'S MUSIC TOUR 2005 but like avex trax, other record companies are slowly picking up the technology to deliver the high-definition experience to consumers... and seriously, I will take Ai-chin no other way... well, that is until NHK comes through with their UHV* technology

*In Japan, high-definition is called Hi-Vision, so UHV is UHD which is ultra high-definition... preliminary tests have shown that because the image quality is so clear and so real, viewers get nauseous watching it... not a good sign at all, but Ai-chin in UHV? I'll live through it, LOL. (^__^")

Right, it really is about time for me to bring this post to a close. I've been going on for what seems like an eternity on relatively pointless stuff - but stuff I really wanted to share nonetheless, LOL.

Anyway, be sure to tune your frequencies to UH21.2 "the HEART STATION" because a translation post will be coming shortly on the heels of this post. (By the way, ayaka's coming single is also the pinnacle of awesomeness!!!!!!!!!!! ARRGGHHH~~ so many pinnacles of awesomeness, what am I to do!? LOL)

I've been wanting to get this post out for such a very long time but November and the first two weeks of December will prove to be a terribly busy time for me. Regardless, I do hope to be able to post more frequently next month... I can't believe it's the end of November and I am only trying to get my third post out! *sigh* What a month... LOL (-__-")

Before I get into the juice of the post, allow me to say "CONGRATULATIONS!" to ayaka, Ai-chin, and BoA for securing Gold Awards in the 49th Japan Record Awards. Of course, there are others who won as well including w-inds., EXILE, Kobukuro, and Koda Kumi... but I don't follow those artists like I do these three, LOL. Nonetheless, congratulations to all Gold Award winners! v(^___^)v

Anyhow, despite my "busy-ness", I do remember that last week was the week of Thanksgiving in the U.S. and it is with this that I would like to dedicate this translation to my girlfriend - my Buttercup (that doesn't sound quite right... LOL (^__^")). In a song that touches my heart by running a memory reel of short sketches in our history, I can't help but want to write this note to her...

    To my very dearest Buttercup,
   
        In this time of thanksgiving, I want to thank you for always
        being by my side.

        As we reach the five year mark of our relationship, we have
        gained plenty of past to reflect on and made plenty of future
        to hope for.

        Together, we have been through good times and bad times
        but for me, even the worst times were good times.

        In all our time spent, I have softly, gently and secretly fallen
        deeper into love with you.

        In a universe of uncertainties, I can only wish certainly to
        grow old with you.

I guess it's time to return to the song now, LOL, this ballad was written with thoughts in the cold of winter and emotions in the warmth of love. Ai-chin herself described it as a "heart-warming love letter to the most important person in the world" and it is in this context that we come to know the simple beauty of Pocket.

Listen to a sample of ポケット (~1:40 mins)

ポケット (Sample, ~1:40 mins)

Ai Otsuka (大塚 愛)

With the changing of the seasons comes the changing of themes to reflect the northern hemisphere's passing into autumn. It's been quite a while since my last post - I went on an unannounced hiatus in the past week due to an unprecedented amount of work, LOL. A lot has happened during that time though and the news of the world has persisted in staying on the bleaker side of things.

In this vein, let me take this moment to remember the musical magician, Lucky Dube. I may focus a lot on J-pop in my blog but I am not deaf to other genres of music and with Lucky, it was in the form of reggae that I came to appreciate him. Beyond his musical genius lay the soul of a social activist who gave song to the concerns of a society. It was in irony then that he was gunned down in Johannesburg in an attempted car-jacking on October 12th, 2007 - an added irony that his song Prisoner seemed to somehow speak to.

Lucky, you have done much - the world that survives you is as you have known it and we can only hope that in our living we will not come to abandon your vision for a fairer world. The family you leave behind will certainly carry your banner forward and I can only hope that we can follow in their lead. Goodbye Lucky, we may never know the depth of your ingenuity but what you have shared was more than could be asked of anyone. Thank you for that very big heart of yours.

Returning to kumuri uta, Ai-chin certainly pays credence to the Chinese saying: 「心能作天堂、也能作地獄。」 The saying translates roughly to: The heart is capable of creating heaven on earth yet also of creating hell on earth. From the spectrum of songs she has already written, kumuri uta certainly falls into one of the more joyless extremes.

In the beginning, there was some confusion about the meaning of the title because kumuri doesn't actually mean anything in Japanese. Ai-chin has always been known for her very smart play on words though and this title actually has quite a good number of messages within it, messages which we will soon discuss as we move on to talk about the song itself.

Listen to a sample of クムリウタ (~1:50 mins)

クムリウタ (Sample, ~1:50 mins)

Ai Otsuka (大塚 愛)

First appearance:
Track 5 from Ai's album, LOVE PiECE (Released 2007/09/26).

PV availability:
Yes, a PV was released alongside the album. The PV in general makes clear the deep sadness conveyed by the song. A running theme throughout the PV is water - both in its frozen and liquid state. Another prevalent theme that is evident in the PV is the concept of constrained freedom, a theme most obvious in the scenes featuring Ai-chin swimming in a mass of water. These parts mimic a goldfish in its bowl... ah, one will likely never fathom how much I wish to scoop her up and set her free from there! LOL (^__^")

Theme song:
The song is not used as a theme song to anything.

Alternative versions:
There are no alternative versions to this track right now.

Comments:
kumuri uta is a clever title in that it elicits more meanings of the song than a literal title would. In Japanese, hearing the title of the song would likely lead to an automatic assumption that it means "lullaby" which is pronounced "komori uta" (子守歌). Listening to the lyrics however, it becomes clear that kumuri is derived from the word "kumori" (曇り) which means "cloudy" because the song uses a lot of clouds in its imagery. To finish off the third possibility, kumuri could also be taken to mean "ko muri" (子無理) which would mean a "hopeless child". This third interpretation has some grammatical pitfalls in Japanese and may thus be a bit of a stretch, but with Ai-chin's reasoning abilities, anything seems possible, LOL.

Nonetheless, although the second translation of the title (cloudy song) is the most obvious according to the lyrics, it is the first translation (lullaby) that best evokes the emotions of the song. Lullabies are often sung to children to bring sleep to them and is by nature a comforting experience. In this piece, the concept of a lullaby is fitting in rendering sleep on a person who has lived a life of pain - the song is a lullaby aroused in an aching heart.

In the track, Ai-chin tends to take the perspective of a storm cloud. This is not to say that she is vocalising the thoughts of a cloud though, instead she is realising her pain through the visuals of a cloud. In that way, the feelings she expresses are her own but the imagery is of what a cloud may encounter in its life cycle.

The chorus also conveys a desperate wish for hope in this moment of plight - punctuating the only points in which she seems to reach out for help. It was these parts that almost moved me to tears at times because they served to strengthen the pain in the lyrics that much more - sometimes, I swear I could hear her voice breaking from sadness (it doesn't, but it certainly seems like it, LOL).

At the song's conclusion, it becomes clear that though she sought help - none was lent to her. Abandoned, she sings only that there was a time when she would have believed but now, it all seems irreparable. Perhaps there is some hope left somewhere... And perhaps, it is that search for hope that makes that deep breath she takes in the beginning and at the end of the song so important. The first breath is the release of the pain into this song and the second breath at the end, keeping the life cycle of clouds in mind, indicates that there will be other opportunities ahead.

In the end, this ranks as one of the most painful songs written by Ai-chin but in a year so dominated by her crazy happy singles, it seems timely to tone down the mood a little (there are crazy songs in the album too, so if you are into that side of Ai-chin, you have nothing to fear, LOL). The music and lyrics are simply beautiful as the vocal execution delivers a massive dose of heartache to the listener, creating a powerfully moving piece of artistry. On that note, here is kumuri uta.

---

Lyrics:
Japanese lyrics retrieved from www.uta-net.com.

--------------------------------------
日本語:
クムリウタ
--------------------------------------
歌手: 大塚 愛
作詞: 愛
作曲: 愛
--------------------------------------
立ち止まってすべてを無にした
目をそらして　逃げてたことを
恥じらって　向かい合うことができたら
奇跡を信じた

蝉は鳴く　響くように
歌うように　死んでいくかな
私も明日消えるなら　もっと
ちゃんといれるのかな？

ここに立っていることさえ
時々意識を失いそうになる

曇り空、泣くな　まだここは通過点で
曇り空、泣くな　心は本当は強い

フワフワ流れるように
なんとなく　過ごせるけれど
本当は虚しいことには　ずっと
前から気付いてた

傷を持って　もう一度って
強く誓え　自分を見捨てるな

曇り空、泣くな　せめて心を信じて
曇り空、泣くな　待ってる人はいる

深海の中を　くるり　泳いで
聞こえる水の声　思い出す
あの雨の日も　こんな暗くて
二つある扉

曇り空、泣くな　まだここは通過点で
曇り空、泣くな　心は本当は強い

曇り空、泣くな　まだここは通過点で
曇り空、泣くな　心は本当は強い

立ち止まって　すべてを無にした
目をそらして　逃げてたことを
恥じらって　向かい合うことができたら…
奇跡を信じた

-------------------------------------------------------
romaji:
kumuri uta
-------------------------------------------------------
kashyu: ootsuka ai
sakushi: ai
sakkyoku: ai
romaji: crystalise
-------------------------------------------------------
tachi tomatte subete wo mu ni shita
me wo sorashite   nigeteta koto wo
hajiratte   mukai au koto ga dekitara
kiseki wo shinjita

semi wa naku   hibiku you ni
utau you ni   shinde iku kana
watashi mo ashita kieru nara   motto
chanto ireru no kana?

koko ni tatte iru koto sae
tokidoki ishiki wo ushinai sou ni naru

kumori sora, naku na   mada koko wa tsuukaten de
kumori sora, naku na   kokoro wa hontou wa tsuyoi

fuwafuwa nagareru you ni
nanto naku   sugoseru keredo
hontou wa munashii koto ni wa   zutto
mae kara kidzuiteta

kizu wo motte   mou ichidotte
tsuyoku chikae   jibun wo misuteru na

kumori sora, naku na   semete kokoro wo shinjite
kumori sora, naku na   matteru hito wa iru

shinkai no naka wo   kururi   oyoide
kikoeru mizu no koe   omoidasu
ano ame no hi mo   konna kurakute
futatsu aru tobira

kumori sora, naku na   mada koko wa tsuukaten de
kumori sora, naku na   kokoro wa hontou wa tsuyoi

kumori sora, naku na   mada koko wa tsuukaten de
kumori sora, naku na   kokoro wa hontou wa tsuyoi

tachi tomatte   subete wo mu ni shita
me wo sorashite   nigeteta koto wo
hajiratte   mukai au koto ga dekitara...
kiseki wo shinjita

----------------------------------------
English:
Song in the Clouds*
----------------------------------------
Performed by: Ai Otsuka
Lyricist: ai
Composer: ai
Translated by: crystalise
----------------------------------------
Standing still as my world became undone...
I turned my gaze away and ran with my head bent in shame.
If I stood and faced it all,
Perhaps I would have believed in miracles.

The perpetual resonance of the locusts’ song
Makes for a gentle earth song that seems fading out to die.
If I too were to disappear into tomorrow,
The world would probably be a better place.

Even as I stay standing in this very place,
There are times when I almost drift out of consciousness.

Hey there cloudy skies, don’t cry – this is only a waypoint in your journey.
There now cloudy skies, don’t cry – the heart is truly a symbol of strength.

Like the light fluff of clouds streaming through,
I will somehow get past this...
A deep feeling of emptiness
Is all that I have truly ever known.

Bearing this scar once more,
I determinedly vowed to abandon my very being.

Clouded skies, don’t cry – at the very least, have faith in what’s in your heart.
Hold back your tears, clouded skies – there are people who wait for you.

Swimming in circles in the depths of the deepest oceans,
I remember hearing the sound of water.
Even on that rainy day, etched on a door
Were but two realms of darkness.**

There’s no need for tears, cloudy skies – you are only passing through here.
Don’t cry, cloudy skies – certainly, our hearts are instruments of strength.

Clouded skies, don’t weep – these are merely crossroads that you pass.
Clouded skies, there’s no need to cry – there is yet strength in our hearts.

Standing still as my world became undone...
I turned my gaze and ran in shame.
If I were to stand to face it all...
Maybe, just maybe, I would have believed in miracles.

---

Notes:
*Note 1: Being unable to come up with a similarly evocative title in English, I settled for "Song in the Clouds" to try to mime the obscurity of the Japanese title. This is derived from the idiom "head in the clouds" which is usually taken to mean a person that is disconnected from the reality they are living in - that is, their vision is hindered by the clouds around them. In that way, I translated to the title to "Song in the Clouds" to only mean that the meaning of the title of the song is unclear... LOL, what a long-winded way to explain something so small!
**Note 2: Two realms of darkness with one door is supposed to mean that there is only one path to travel and that path leads to two realms of darkness. This part of the song is interesting because it takes place in the beginning of cloud formation through evaporation from the sea and ends with “death” of a cloud through precipitation as rain. Both phases are inevitable and both begin in different forms of darkness. On a more abstract level, one darkness could be understood as physical darkness (dimmed environment) whereas the other darkness as emotional darkness (gloomy atmosphere).

---

Links:
Ai Otsuka official website (maintained by avex trax)
Purchase LOVE PiECE online (via YesAsia Global)

It seems like it's been quite some time since I've done a translation post and I really want to push along in this as I hope to get to some of the newer works that have been released by the handful of artists that I follow. The release of several albums recently has given me a wealth of material to draw from and there seems to be no let up in the upcoming release schedules, so I should get chugging along.

Today's translation will be on the beautifully painful but hopeful song, Cherish by my beloved Ai-chin. I have so much to say about this song but I will do my best to restrain myself here. This is one of my all-time favourite songs and I know that I am not alone in my feelings for this tour de force. The piece comes as Ai-chin's first and, up to now, only endeavour into the rock genre - soft rock to be specific. Even so, it was enough to nab her the "best song in the genre of rock" award from the Japan Gold Disc Association in 2006... It must feel pretty lousy to be a rock star and realise that you've been bested by an artist that is reputedly nuts, LOL

The song itself was originally written for the hit manga series by Ai Yazawa (矢沢あい), NANA. The manga tells a complicated story about love and relationships but a story that is easy to relate to. It centres around two girls that share the same name, Nana, and their livelihoods as they go about discovering life in the modern city of Tokyo. The "rock" edge that characterises the song is inspired from the fact that the story centres around rock since one of the Nana's is a rock musician that is trying to break into the music industry. The song first appeared in an artist compilation entitled LOVE for NANA ~Only 1 Tribute~, where artists who were fans of the series wrote and performed their songs on behalf of one of the two rivalling bands in the series - Nana's BLACK STONES or Reira's TRAPNEST.

BLACK STONES' sound was a much harder rock whereas TRAPNEST's music went along the avenue of softer rock. They are not officially rivals in that sense and going into why they are considered "rivals" is actually too complicated to explain in this post. Nonetheless, knowing their individual music styles makes it no surprise that Ai-chin dedicated Cherish to TRAPNEST instead of BLACK STONES.

That is the back story behind Cherish, however because this is a song written for TRAPNEST as a band and not a song written as the theme to the manga, the message of this track does not actually relate to the series. Instead, it is simply a song about the concept of cherishing: so whatever relationships one could draw between the story of the manga and the message of the song, it's all merely coincidental.

Listen to a sample of Cherish (~2:30 mins)

Cherish (Sample, ~2:30 mins)

Ai Otsuka (大塚 愛)

1 comment

First appearance:
Track 13 from the compilation album, LOVE for NANA ~Only 1 Tribute~ (Released 2005/03/16)
Track 7 from Ai-chin's album, LOVE COOK (Released 2005/12/14)

PV availability:
Yes, there is a PV available for this track and it's got themes of horror plastered all over it! Although Ai-chin is a big fan of horror films, that is not the reason for the PV being shot in this manner. Instead, it illuminates the understanding of the song that love can be a frightening thing and cherishing something can be a painful experience. The message of the song is simple, albeit relatively unconventional: fear and pain are essential to the understanding of love... and the horror to the entire PV is simply the fact that Ai-chin's been waiting in that mansion for an eternity... (If you've watched the movie The Others starring Aussie bombshell Nicole Kidman, you will understand where this concept comes from... there are also references to other horror movies, including the Japanese hit phenomenon The Ring (called Ringu in North American territories), LOL)

Theme song:
Although Cherish was written for NANA, it is not actually a theme song at all.

Alternative versions:
Though I yearn to see an alternative version to this masterpiece, there is none at the moment.

Comments:
To set the entire song in context, it is vital to understand the question in the beginning about losing necessary items. On a simple level, one can understand the question as being asked after the fact of a break-up - in a "where did all our love go?" sort of fashion - but that does not actually fit with the message of the song in its entirety. Instead, Ai-chin is actually asking the question on a deeper level - the question is placed before the fact of a relationship. The question should be understood as: "Since when was it that we began to grow suspicious of love - something as wonderful and as necessary as love - how did we manage to lose its original meaning and turn it suspect?"

She highlights that it is this suspicion that leads to a fear of allowing the heart to fully commit as she goes on to criticise the trend of using the body to substitute the heart. Put plainly, she takes issue with the concept of "it's only sex" because she feels that, at least in first love, the physical connection does leave its mark on a person. At that time, sex and love are synonymous - to think any differently is to allow oneself to alter the true meaning of love and take it from the realm of emotion to the realm of reason.

She carries through afterwards to describe love as an object of fear - something that makes us run from it as we run to it. It is capable of hurting us as well as comforting us and something that weakens us as it empowers us. It is fearful in its complete dominance over our very being but essentially, being in love is to be at the mercy of love. Furthermore, experiencing love has nothing to do with age either because love, if it is true, has the power to render anyone irrational. It is dangerous in that way, but it is only in such an explosive environment that one can truly appreciate it in its truest form.

Of course, the point of the song is not to scare people away from love as she does highlight that the true feelings of love are beautiful in an incomprehensible way. The song only attempts to illuminate the true nature of love. In the second part of the song, she speaks of the wonderful feelings that love entails and it is clear that she has had no regrets from the experience.

She is, however, not left unchanged from it and musically as well as lyrically the entire song swings back-and-forth from knowing love in a heart-warming fashion to experiencing it to the point of insanity. As if her vocal execution were not powerful enough to drive the point home, in her live performances and the PV itself, her expressions change from someone at the brink of madness to occasions of sad melancholy punctuated with periods of pure bliss.

For us to understand how much we truly cherish something, there are times when we will display this range of different emotions because to cherish is to experience the most powerful love of all - the deepest fear of losing something. So much so that we are willing to sacrifice our lives for its sake (this is what grandfather of sociology, Emile Durkheim, called altruistic suicide and respected biologist, Richard Dawkins, called survival of the gene pool - See? Ai-chin is well backed by the sciences, LOL).

There is so much more about this song that I can go on about - its concepts of how pain reinforces sentiments of love, how irrationality is a vital part of unconditional love, but I should stop here because the comments segment is getting far too long and it's a lot more fun for one to discern messages from the music and lyrics themselves, no?

With this then, let me move on to the translation and lyrics of one of my all-time favourite songs - Ai-chin's masterpiece of soft rock, Cherish.

---

Lyrics:
Japanese lyrics extracted from www.uta-net.com.

--------------------------------------
日本語:
Cherish
--------------------------------------
歌手: 大塚 愛
作詞: 愛
作曲: 愛
--------------------------------------
いつからか　素敵なことは
必然要して　どこかを失った
心のつながりに　おびえて
体でうめようとした
不安をごまかした　そんな毎日の中で
あなたはもうあたしの　心の中にいた

もしも　2人　深く想えて
いつか　ここで　時を終えても
ずっとあたし　あなたを愛して
手を伸ばしてると　思えたの

愛情は　なんてこわいもの
だから　逃げたり　求める
大人だとか　子どもだとか　もう関係ないよ

まるで初恋みたい
運命だと思えるくらい
抱きあえば　感じる
これほどにない　夢頃

もしも　2人　出会えなければ
こんな風に　笑えなかった
今年　1番　幸せなのは
あなたのそばに　いれたこと

もしも　2人　深く想えて
いつか　ここで　時を終えても
ずっとあたし　あなたを愛して
手を伸ばしてると　思えたの

-------------------------------------------------------
romaji:
Cherish
-------------------------------------------------------
kashyu: ootsuka ai
sakushi: ai
sakkyoku: ai
romaji: crystalise
-------------------------------------------------------
itsukara ka   suteki na koto wa
hitsuzen youshite   dokoka wo shinatta
kokoro no tsunagari ni   obiete
karada de umeyou to shita
fuan wo gomakashita   sonna mainichi no naka de
anata wa mou atashi no   kokoro no naka ni ita

moshimo   futari   fukaku omoete
itsuka   koko de   toki wo oete mo
zutto atashi   anata wo aishite
te wo nobashiteru to   omoeta no

aijou wa   nante kowai mono
dakara   nigetari   motomeru
otona da toka   kodomo da toka   mou kankei nai yo

maru de hatsukoi mitai
unmei da to omoeru kurai
dakiaeba   kanjiru
kore hodo ni nai   yume goro

moshimo   futari   deaenakereba
konna fuu ni   waraenakatta
kotoshi   ichiban   shiawase na no wa
anata no soba ni   ireta koto

moshimo   futari   fukaku omoete
itsuka   koko de   toki wo oete mo
zutto atashi   anata wo aishite
te wo nobashiteru to   omoeta no

----------------------------------------
English:
Cherish
----------------------------------------
Performed by: Ai Otsuka
Lyricist: ai
Composer: ai
Translated by: crystalise
----------------------------------------
Since when did we begin to lose it? This thing so wonderful,
So necessary to us... since when were we separated from it?*
Afraid of having my heart touched,
I used my body to bury the emotions.**
Masking over my insecurities, I lived my days this way,
It seems that you still inhabit the depths of my heart.

When I am to think deeply about the two of us,
I realise that even if time were to cease someday in this very place,
Undoubtedly, my love will still be for you
And my arms will remain reaching for you... and so it seems.

Love is such a very frightening thing,
Capable of making us run from it while we run to it.
Above all, understanding love has nothing to do with either being an adult or a child.

Those concepts of destiny
Seem to be reaffirmed by the purity of first love.
I can feel it when I am locked in your warm embrace,
A feeling so incomparable – it’s almost like a dream.

If we were never to have met,
I would never have been able to laugh this way.
You were the happiest thing
To happen to me this year.***

As I think deeply about the two of us,
I realise that even if time ceased here someday,
I will still love you for the span of eternity
As my arms stay outstretched... and so it will seem.

---

Notes:
*Note 1: Literally, “When was it? These wonderful things that we had need, where did we lose them?”
**Note 2: Literally, “Scared of the connection to my heart, I used by body to bury it.”
***Note 3: Literally, “This year, the happiest thing was to be able to be by your side.”

---

Links:
Ai Otsuka official website (maintained by avex trax)
Purchase LOVE COOK online (via YesAsia Global)

The day before yesterday was Chinese National Day and, as anyone would expect from a great nation like China, there was a dazzling fireworks display to mark the occasion. The effect, however, seemed a little lost on many Hongkongers as a good number of them had no idea what the occasion was, LOL...

Chinese National Day 2007 Fireworks

Though the fireworks may seem nice and spectacular, I have to admit that the fireworks three months ago were somehow more impressive (those were launched in celebration of 10 years of Chinese rule in Hong Kong). On the catalogue of fireworks on display was one of the oddest fireworks I have ever seen... I don't really know how to put it but my girlfriend said that it looked like phlegm slowly oozing from the sky. Though I don't completely agree, I have to admit that she wasn't too far off the mark from what I thought...

She also managed to point me to an all-too-common yet definitive moment that occurred after the show was over: without warning, the harbour suddenly filled with random boats all moving away in a mass exodus as if to flee a doomed city... somehow, the scene harkened back memories of 1997 when people fled Hong Kong in fear of the handover. There is really no relationship whatsoever between the fireworks and 1997, but it did remind me about the speed at which Hongkongers undertake their tasks and decisions. I took a picture of what I saw but I don't think it really depicts how odd the scene actually was:

Aftermath of the Fireworks

I should expect no less from Hongkongers... always wanting to be first to get anywhere. I do wish that people will calm down sometimes but this sense that there is a lack of time seems contagious in a city like Hong Kong. Even though Monday marked the beginning of the long holiday in China called National Day Golden Week, it matters little to Hong Kong since it's business as usual here. This exhilaration of staying two steps ahead is, perhaps, what Hong Kong thrives on...

In that way, it seemed that there was no getting out of going to the university yesterday despite my recent recovery from illness. I was listening to Ai-chin's クムリウタ ("kumuri uta"; I can't translate this because "kumuri" is not a word in Japanese, but it's a clever title though - more on this in a future translation post) as I was waiting for the bus and I happened to look up into the sky. To make this make sense, it requires to be said that the song is a very moving piece that evokes powerful images of a cloudy sky. Looking up at the distant sky, this was what I saw:

Clouds Over Hong Kong

Indeed, the more I gazed up at the restless clouds, the more I began to understand what Ai-chin must have been looking at as she wrote the piece. Feeling as if I have reached a heightened level of transcendence, my mind begin to drift away... but no sooner had my soul begun to float away from my body that I had been rudely smacked back into it, LOL... (-____-") It seems that my earphones have given out on me - and in the oddest manner possible too...

Panasonic Karaoke Earphones

Sure, I bought them at a really low price for earphones but it is manufactured by Panasonic - which is supposed to be a brand name, no? Anyhow, I've been through a good number of earphones in my lifetime and most of the time I know that it was due to improper care that they deteriorate to the point where you have to fiddle with them to hear your music. I am used to that and have tried to change my habits to prevent it from happening...

What I am not used to though is having earphones malfunction into "karaoke-only" mode... It seems odd, but these earphones have malfunctioned in a manner in which they only play the background music to all my songs - effectively, I heard the unofficial instrumental version to kumuri uta and a handful of other songs... (^___^")

I really never thought that such things were possible but now I'm a believer. Well, it looks like I will have to go get some new earphones, but I will save these ones, just in case I feel like practising for a karaoke showdown, LOL.

Anyhow, if things go according to plan, the translation to Ai-chin's Cherish should be up in a day or two... I can't wait to translate kumuri uta at the moment, so I am planning to finish up this batch very soon (^___^)

Coming up is the second song translation from Ai-chin's latest single PEACH/HEART, more specifically, a translation of HEART. As previously mentioned, I enjoyed this song more than I enjoyed PEACH though this is actually a B-side. In many ways, this song can be seen as the second half of PEACH. As a peach is an upside-down heart, a heart is thus an upside down peach. This is everything - musically, lyrically and emotionally - that PEACH is not. The only thing that both songs share is the theme of summer romance.

Listen to a sample of HEART (~1:50 mins)

HEART (Sample, ~1:50 mins)

Ai Otsuka (大塚 愛)

First appearance:
Track 2 from Ai's single, PEACH/HEART (Released 2007/07/25).

PV availability:
Yes, a PV to HEART is coming with Ai-chin's fourth studio album, LOVE PiECE (Released on 2007/09/26). The PV places Ai-chin in several scenarios to reflect, perhaps, the different feelings of the heart. There is also the use of fruits to symbolise the state of her heart which links very well to the meaning of the song itself... but who cares for this analysis, the PV is Ai-chin galore, so if you can't get enough of this pretty face - make sure to get LOVE PiECE and a region-free DVD player! (^ o ^)

Theme song:
HEART was not used as a theme song to anything.

Alternative versions:
There are no alternative versions at the moment.

Comments:
As mentioned, the title HEART is derived from the fact that it is the opposite of PEACH. The song is a reverse of PEACH in more ways than simply the title. It's placed at the break down of a relationship and instead of emphasising summer craziness, puts one into a sad summer's conclusion. Whereas PEACH looks ahead into what could be, HEART looks backwards into what was with a strong emphasis on memories. Musically, HEART could be said to be a little strange in keeping the tune on the summer side of things (Ai acknowledges this which is why the last line reveals the true nature of the song), while also oozing the feelings of a heavy heart. There are a large number of items running through this song that are direct opposites to PEACH and it's actually nice to see how the two songs fit together to deliver a larger message on rushing into love.

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Lyrics:
Japanese lyrics retrieved from www.uta-net.com.

--------------------------------------
日本語:
HEART
--------------------------------------
歌手: 大塚 愛
作詞: 愛
作曲: 愛
--------------------------------------
今すぐ会いたい　今、会いたい
そんな言葉だけを並べて　そっと波に返した
今すぐ会いたい　今、会いたい
困る顔見れなくて　言えなくて過ぎた　あの夏の夜

人波をくぐり抜けて　少し急いだ
あなたの背中が　頼もしくて
間に合った打ち上げ花火　今は目を閉じた
暗闇の中に　静かに見える

きれい　あぁ、きれい　あぁ、
HEARTくすぐる　忘れないあのキス

今すぐ会いたい　今、会いたい
そんな言葉だけを並べて　そっと波に返した
今すぐ会いたい　今、会いたい
困る顔見れなくて　言えなくて過ぎた　あの夏の夜

少しぐらいは理想になれたらなんて
思ったりして　大人ぶった
無邪気になって　ときめいたりしていた
そんな頃のこと　懐かしいね。

いいね、あぁ　いいね、あぁ
HEARTに残る　忘れないあの香り

今すぐ会いたい　今、会いたい
そんな風に言えて　甘えられたならいいのかな
今すぐ会いたい　今、会いたい
短い幸せと　そばにいて見失う幸せ

波　ノリ　あぁ、　波　ノリ　あぁ。
HEARTくすぐる　忘れないあの夏

今すぐ会いたい　今、会いたい
そんな言葉だけを並べて　そっと波に返した
今すぐ会いたい　今、会いたい
困る顔見れなくて　言えなくて過ぎた　あの夏の夜

優しさの意味は・・‥?
言葉の虚しさ
何も言わずに
ただ　抱きしめて

押し寄せる　涙
誰も知らない
この歌に乗って
ゆれる　ゆれる　HEART

-------------------------------------------------------
romaji:
HEART
-------------------------------------------------------
kashyu: ootsuka ai
sakushi: ai
sakkyoku: ai
romaji: crystalise
-------------------------------------------------------
ima sugu aitai   ima, aitai
sonna kotoba dake wo narabete   sotto nami ni kaeshita
ima sugu aitai   ima, aitai
komaru kao mirenakute   ienakute sugita   ano natsu no yoru

hitonami wo kuguri nukete   sukoshi isoida
anata no senaka ga   tanomoshikute
ma ni atta uchiage hanabi   ima wa me wo tojita
kurayami no naka ni   shizuka ni mieru

kirei   aa,   kirei   aa,
HEART kusuguru   wasurenai ano kisu

ima sugu aitai   ima, aitai
sonna kotoba dake wo narabete   sotto nami ni kaeshita
ima sugu aitai   ima, aitai
komaru kao mirenakute   ienakute sugita   ano natsu no yoru

sukoshi gurai wa risou ni naretara nante
omottarishite   otona butta
mujaki ni natte   tokimeitari shite ita
sonna koro no koto   natsukashii ne.

iine,   aa   iine,   aa
HEART ni nokoru   wasurenai ano kaori

ima sugu aitai   ima, aitai
sonna fuu ni iete   amaerareta nara ii no kana
ima sugu aitai   ima, aitai
mijikai shiawase to   soba ni ite miushiu shiawase

nami   nori   aa,   nami   nori   aa.
HEART kusuguru   wasurenai ano natsu

ima sugu aitai   ima, aitai
sonna kotoba dake wo narabete   sotto nami ni kaeshita
ima sugu aitai   ima, aitai
komaru kao mirenakute   ienakute sugita   ano natsu no yoru

yasashisa no imi wa. . ..?
kotoba no nunashisa
nani mo iwazu ni
tada   dakishimete

oshi yoseru   namida
dare mo shiranai
kono uta ni notte
yureru   yureru   HEART

----------------------------------------
English:
HEART
----------------------------------------
Performed by: Ai Otsuka
Lyricist: ai
Composer: ai
Translated by: crystalise
----------------------------------------
“I really want to see you now, right now.”
These were the words that flowed out into the soft reclining waves.*
“I really want to see you now, right now.”
I didn’t see that worried look nor did I say a thing as it came to pass on that summer’s eve.

In a rush we pulled through the sweeping crowd,
Catching a glimpse of your back, a feeling of security reassured me.
At the moment the fireworks launched, I closed my eyes.
In the darkness, I quietly looked on.

How beautiful it was...
That unforgettable kiss that tickled my heart.

“I really want to see you now, right now.”
Were the words that flowed to the soft reclining waves.
“I really want to see you now, right now.”
I failed to notice that worried look and didn’t say a word on that summer’s night.

In my matured mind, I felt
This was just a small bit of a dream.
Growing innocent, my heart kept throbbing.
Those days are always close to me.

How wonderful it was...
That unforgettable smell that captured my heart.

“I really want to see you now, right now.”
Was how I said it as I pondered whether it’s alright to be this dependent.
“I really want to see you now, right now.”
Being together with you brought a short period of bliss – a bliss now lost.

In the waves, spreading out was...**
That unforgettable summer that tickled my heart.

“I really want to see you now, right now.”
Were the words that returned to the soft recline of waves.
“I really want to see you now, right now.”
I didn’t notice that worried look nor said a word on that summer’s evening.

Is this the meaning of tenderness. . ..?
These are moments that words fail.
Saying nothing
We only held each other.

No one knows
Of the tears that still seize me.
Nor do they know that riding on the melody of this song
Is my faltering heart.

---

Notes:
*Note 1: Literally, “These were the words that were returned to the soft waves.”
**Note 2: There is some wordplay going on here. The word “nori”, depending on what the kanji is, has many different meanings and they all seem quite relevant to the song. In terms of the sentence itself the concept of nori (from the base form verb “noru”) is “to spread” makes the most sense. Other meanings of “nori” include “seaweed” and “glue” – translating into any of these two meanings is relevant in the bigger picture of the song as a whole.

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Ai Otsuka official website (maintained by avex trax)
Purchase PEACH/HEART online (via YesAsia Global)

I hereby submit evidence that Ai-chin is, in fact, relatively mad. Her newest single, PEACH, comes via the crazier side of her personality and I can only hope my translation does some justice to the craziness of it all. Despite her talent to write wonderful ballads, she was actually propelled into fame by a song of a similar strain to PEACH. That nutty song was called さくらんぼ ("sakuranbo"; trans: "Cherry") - Ai's second single.

It is really this broad variety in her musical composition that keeps me attracted to her and her music. Nonetheless, PEACH is a relatively mild composition compared to some of her previous works - it's not the craziest of crazy and in terms of suggestive sexual themes - this is child's play compared to some of her previous songs... Sweet and innocent she may look, but it's hard to tell a book from its cover.

Regardless, the craziness of PEACH is contagious in terms of spreading the sense of summer fun and madness - the PV really worked to help set the mood for the song as well. Thus, though this is not one of my favourites, I still really enjoy it (I actually prefer the other two songs from this single, HEART and 恋愛写真-春-*, but PEACH is really enjoyable as well). Anyhow, moving on - here is my translation of PEACH (there were some really tricky parts that made no sense to me - even in Japanese, so I hope I didn't screw up too bad).

*恋愛写真-春- was translated in my earlier posts - check back here!

Listen to a sample of PEACH (~1:10 mins)

PEACH (Sample, ~1:10 mins)

Ai Otsuka (大塚 愛)

First appearance:
Track 1 from Ai's single, PEACH/HEART (Released 2007/07/25).

PV availability:
Yes, a PV was released along with the single in 2007.

Theme song:
The song is the theme to the drama: 花ざかりの君たちへ ("hanazakari no kimitachi he"; trans: "To all of you in full bloom")

Alternative versions:
There are no alternative versions at the moment.

Comments:
This song is really about wanting someone so bad that one would do almost anything for them - which is actually much like the premise of the drama hanazakari no kimitachi e for which this is the theme song to. Though I've been meaning to watch the drama (primarily because it puts Horikita Maki in the leading role *ahem*), I don't seem to be able to take some time out to follow the current season of dramas. Indeed, I have an entire drama backlog at the moment that I want to "clear", so that I could bring myself back up to speed!

Anyhow, I digress - the drama itself is about a girl named Mizuki Ashiya (played by Maki-chan) who was originally based in a secondary school in the U.S. before she saw a young man (played by the popular actor Oguri Shun) on television competing on a track and field event. With that, Mizuki decided to move back to Japan in order to enter the same secondary school as the guy. Sounds crazy enough, but the fact that she will have to get herself into an all-male secondary school if she hopes to fulfil that goal sounds like it has the making of an explosively fun-filled drama (of course, Maki-chan also severely helps boost my interest points in the drama)!

It is under that backdrop that you can understand Ai-chin's PEACH, which is about a girl who wants a boy - very badly. This song is all about chasing a guy, summer time fun and peaches being upside down hearts! To that extent, the song itself is loud and relatively catchy depending on your preference of music. In all, PEACH is firmly a summer fun song that should not be taken too seriously - indeed, the lyrics make clear that the song is not about being all grown up and mature rather it is about the madness of youth and craziness of summer!

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Lyrics:
Japanese lyrics retrieved from www.uta-net.com, with some modifications by myself.

--------------------------------------
日本語:
PEACH
--------------------------------------
歌手: 大塚 愛
作詞: 愛
作曲: 愛
--------------------------------------
太陽サンサン　盛り上がる今年は　歌いたい
気分ルンルン　飲みたい放題　笑いたい

ゆれるゆれる心に　ドキドキしたいなぁ…。
それもそうかな、楽園
あぁ、あぁ、あぁ…夏だねぇ!!

PEACH!!　ひっくり返る愛のマーク
一点で不安定だからすぐ一転する
だけど返してみせるよ
PEACH!!　ひっくり返る愛のマーク
何倍ものパワーが必要　がんばってみせるよ
愛しちゃうから

憂鬱にバイバイ　そんな暇はない　もったいない
脱皮でバイバイ　イイトコロ見たら
チャンスでしょ

ひたむきさが大事ね　忘れたあの日
いつの間に汚れたんだ?
あぁ、あぁ、あぁ…熟します!!

BEACH!!　お尻だらけの誘惑
少しくらい心配したっていいじゃない、
信じてるけど
BEACH!!　お尻が欲しければあげるわ
刺激的な夜と癒しの朝用意するね

吸い込んだ中に混ざってた　悪魔と天使
押せど押せど引き　元に返したら　ハイ　タッチ

PINCH!!　何事もバランス　お互いマイペース
リズムに合わせてジャンプ　ジャンプ!
PINCH!!　やっぱ一緒にいようよ　いるべきだよ
機嫌直して　楽しもうよ　この夏を

PEACH!!　ひっくり返る愛のマーク
何倍ものパワーが必要　がんばってみせるよ
愛しちゃうから　愛しちゃうから　愛しちゃうから

PEACH、PEACH×PEACE

-------------------------------------------------------
romaji:
PEACH
-------------------------------------------------------
kashyu: ootsuka ai
sakushi: ai
sakkyoku: ai
romaji: crystalise
-------------------------------------------------------
taiyou san san   mori ageru kotoshi wa   utaitai
kibun run run   nomitai houdai   waraitai

yureru yureru kokoro ni   doki doki shitai naa....
sore mo sou kana, rakuen
aa, aa, aa … natsu da nee!!

PEACH!!   hikkuri kaeru ai no maaku
itten de fuantei dakara sugu itten suru
dakedo kaeshite miseru yo
PEACH!!   hikkuri kaeru ai no maaku
nanbai mo no pawaa ga hitsuyou   ganbatte miseru yo
aishichau kara

yuuutsu ni baibai   sonna hima wa nai   mottaitai
dappi de baibai   ii tokoro mitara
chansu desho

hitamukisa ga daiji ne   wasureta ano hi
itsu no ma ni yogoretanda?
aa, aa, aa ... tsukushimasu!!!

BEACH!!   oshiri darake no yuuwaku
sukoshi kurai shinpai shitatte iijanai,
shinjiteru kedo
BEACH!!   oshiri ga hoshikereba ageru wa
shigekiteki na yoru to iyashi no asa youi suru ne

suikonda naka ni mazatteta   akuma to tenshi
osedo osedo hiki   moto ni kaeshitara   hai   tacchi

PINCH!!   nanigoto mo baransu   otagai mai peesu
rizumu ni awasete jampu jampu!
PINCH!!   yappa issho ni iyou yo   irubeki da yo
kigen naoshite   tanoshi mou yo   kono natsu wo

PEACH!!   hikkuri kaeru ai no maaku
nanbai mo no pawaa ga hitsuyou   ganbatte miseru yo
aishichau kara   aishichau kara   aishichau kara

PEACH, PEACH × PEACE

----------------------------------------
English:
PEACH
----------------------------------------
Performed by: Ai Otsuka
Lyricist: ai
Composer: ai
Translated by: crystalise
----------------------------------------
Oh, sunny sun sun, you make me want to sing as you warm up the year.*
What a euphoric feeling, drinking whatever I want and laughing whenever.

Ah, I want my jiggling heart to keep throbbing like this…
Perhaps that’s the feeling of... paradise.
Ah~ I got it, it’s actually the feeling of summer!!

PEACH!!  A peach is really an upside-down love mark.
See, it wasn’t really stable standing on that little point and got flipped over,
So I’m going to flip it back up again and give it back to you!
PEACH!!  A peach is an upside-down love mark.
It’s going to take more effort to turn it around, but I’m gonna show you what I got!
Because I’m in love with you.

A depressing bye-bye, it’s so sad that I have no time for you at the moment!
As the bye-bye keeps wearing on, I begin to see that I have to take my chances
When I find a good spot!

No! It’s important for me to stay focused on life and forget about those days.
Wait a sec, when did I get so tainted!?
Ah~! It seems that I’ve grown up!!!

BEACH!! A place filled with the allurement of buttocks everywhere.
It’s normal for me to be a little concerned over this predicament
But I have faith in you.
BEACH!! If it’s only buttocks you want, I can give it to you!
I’m ready to show you a night so electrifying, you’ll need the morning to recover.

Mixing the devil and an angel into one deep breath, I’m compelled to keep pulling
To turn the peach back up again, so that I could return it in its original form – now that’s high touch!**

PINCH!! Everything is in harmony and we’re taking it at our own paces***
When the rhythm of our feet meet then – JUMP!! JUMP!!
PINCH!! Just as I thought, being with you is where I should have been all along.
It’s brought back all the good humour and good times to this summer!

PEACH!!  A peach is really an upside-down love mark.
It’s going to take more effort to turn it round, but I’m gonna give it my best!
Because I’m in love with you, you, you!!

PEACH~ PEACH × PEACE!!!

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Notes:

*Note 1: This is actually a play on words. “taiyou san san”, if literally translated, should be “sun sun sun” – “taiyou” in Japanese is “sun” and “san” written in katakana (as it is here) is also “sun”. But “sansan” in Japanese also has another meaning that is equally fitting – it means “bright”. Thus, this line can also be translated as “Bright sun”.
**Note 2: Here is something I didn’t know… At this point in the song, I am sure most have discounted Ai as completely nuts and “high touch” is probably some random Japanese Engrish in action – but it’s not Engrish, and what’s more, Ai actually uses it appropriately, LOL. “High touch” is used to mean “dedicated personal service” and is the antonym of “high tech”. In this manner, Ai’s continued obsession with getting this guy and what she is willing to do to get him can really be considered high touch – perhaps too much of it!
***Note 3: In Japanese, “pinch” is usually used to indicate trouble but in this case, Ai is using it in the English sense – simply “to pinch”. Perhaps it’s to indicate that she thinks she may be dreaming since finally being able to be with the guy is too overwhelming… well, with all the services she’s been providing *ahem* the poor fella had to eventually succumb, LOL. (^__^”)

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Ai Otsuka official website (maintained by avex trax)

Purchase PEACH/HEART online (via YesAsia Global)