[Music] Adult's Law -- Doughnuts Hole

Poster for Quartet ("カルテット") (2017)

1. Adult's Law (Japanese: おとなの掟) (Otona no Okite) is the theme song of the Japanese TV drama Quartet ("カルテット") (2017).

This 10 episodes TV drama aired weekly in Japan between January 17, 2017 and March 21, 2017.

The four main characters formed a string quartet in the TV drama called "Doughnuts Hole" and the theme song is credited to Doughnuts Hole.


2. There are more Asian TV dramas produced each year than I can possibly watched and choosing what to watch is often a hit or miss affair.

I sometimes skim the first two episodes of a TV drama to see if I like it enough to watch the rest; other times I look at the user ratings on different websites to look for what to watch.

In the case of Quartet (2017), it was by word of mouth: One of my younger brothers recommended this TV drama to me.

I thoroughly enjoyed this TV drama.

Not only is one of the lead actresses, Takako Matsu, one of my favourite Japanese actresses, the script of this drama is very sophisticated.

When I watched the first episode for the first time, I knew I was missing some of the storylines.

I have to watch the first episode a second time to know what was going on.

As a matter of fact, I have watched the first episode a third and fourth time for the pure enjoyment of it.

And the rest of Quartet (2017) did not disappoint either.


3. The four actors that formed the string quartet Doughnuts Hole are:

Takako Matsu (松 たか子) (as Maki Maki);

Ryuhei Matsuda (松田 龍平) (as Tsukasa Beppu);

Hikari Mitsushima (満島ひかり) (as Suzume Sebuki);

Issei Takahashi (高橋 一生) (as Yutaka Iemori).


4. Adult's Law ("おとなの掟") (Otona no Okite) by Doughnuts Hole:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwg6ILsn8cI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axOgPDYWOzY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zz7X_NtsuFg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DbfAwJwNWXE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Q7l0B4jZQQ


5. Other covers of Adult's Law: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6KFSiIXLeo
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3TAXt7QQ7tg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIqXiOuCwd8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8STVBxEuiXY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_QYcE3VBn8


References:

"Quartet (TV Series)", Wikipedia - The Free Encyclopedia,
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quartet_(TV_Series)
(accessed 2017-05-16).

"Quartet (2017)", DramaWiki,
http://wiki.d-addicts.com/Quartet_(2017)
(accessed 2017-05-16).

End.

[Music and Opinion] Ghost in the Shell – Some Theme Songs

Posters for Ghost in the Shell

Scarlett Johansson vs. Motoko Kusanagi

 
1. A headline in today's BBC News app grasps my attention (BBC News 2016):

"Scarlett Johansson's casting sparks 'whitewashing debate' "

"Scarlett Johansson's latest role has caused a stir because she plays an Asian character."

"Johansson has been cast in the Hollywood remake of the Japanese anime Ghost in the Shell. It's led to a row about 'whitewashing'. "


2. ("Ghost in the Shell", Wikipedia):

"Ghost in the Shell (攻殻機動隊 Kōkaku Kidōtai?, literally "Mobile Armored Riot Police") is a Japanese media franchise originally published as a seinen manga series of the same name written and illustrated by Masamune Shirow. The manga, first serialized in 1989 under the subtitle of The Ghost in the Shell, and later published as its own tankōbon volumes by Kodansha, told the story of the fictional counter-cyberterrorist organization Public Security Section 9, led by protagonist Major Motoko Kusanagi, in the mid 21st century of Japan."


3. I have been a fan of the Ghost in the Shell anime franchise for a long time.

I watched Season 1 of the TV Series when it was first broadcasted on Canada's YTV channel in 2005.

I must have watched Season 1 of the anime, called Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex, at least 5 times; also more than once of Season 2, the 4 anime movies, and the third TV series Ghost in the Shell: Arise.

In terms of the storyline, Ghost in the Shell: Arise is the prequel for the series.

There are some original video animations that have not been subbed or dubbed into English and I have not watch them.


4. A listing of the Ghost in the Shell anime TV series and anime films ("Ghost in the Shell", Wikipedia):

(a) Anime TV:

Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex (2002 - 2003) (26 episodes)

Ghost in the Shell: S.A.C. 2nd GIG (2004 - 2005) (26 episodes)

Ghost in the Shell: Arise (2015) (10 episodes)

(b) Anime Films:

Ghost in the Shell (1995)

Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence (2004)

Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex - Solid State Society (2006)

Ghost in the Shell: The New Movie (2015)


5. Ghost in the Shell (2017 film) starring Scarlett Johansson will be the first non-anime film in the franchise and irony of ironies, it will be a Hollywood production.

There is a controversy about the casting because Scarlett Johansson, a white person, is casted as Major Motoko Kusanagi, a very Japanese character and this leads to the controversy of "whitewashing".

What is also surprising is that the controversy is mainly a western affairs while the Japanese fans themselves seems more or less ok with it (Blair 2016).

Kwame Opam has a thoughtful discussion of the issues in (Opam 2016).


6. I find all the anime of the franchise to be very thoughtful.

Many themes are explored in the anime and they are wide ranging and some are in depth.

I will just mention one minor theme -- the Japanese animators' impression of the Chinese people.

(Since the anime franchise is spread over many years with many different animators, by "Japanese animators" I mean only a generalized group of Japanese people.)

(a) The Japanese animators’ impression of Hong Kong is one of exotic curiosities.

In the anime movie Ghost in the Shell (1995), there are two sequences that recognizably use Hong Kong as their backdrop: one is of Yau Me Tei District on the Kowloon peninsula and the other is of Causeway Bay District on Hong Kong Island.

The Causeway Bay sequence is obviously viewing Hong Kong while riding the tram line.

(b) The Japanese animators have a low opinion of the quality of mainland Chinese.

Season 1, Episode 14 of the TV Series is called "SA: Automated Capitalism – ¥€$" (Zenjidō Shihonshugi ¥€$" (全自動資本主義 ¥€$)).

("List of Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex episodes", Wikipedia):

"Acting on a tip, Section 9 breaks up a cabal of thieves planning to rob a Japanese financial institution. Shortly after the raid, a Chinese intelligence official contacts Section 9 and informs them of suspicious activity that he believes may indicate an assassination attempt by Chinese Socialists on Kanemoto Yokose, a prominent, yet reclusive, Japanese billionaire."

The Chinese intelligence official talked with the head of Public Security Section 9, Aramaki, through video conferencing.

In the video conference, instead of the actual person, an avatar of the person speaking was displayed to the other side.

But the Japanese animators showed that the Chinese intelligence official was actually clipping his toenails while talking with section Chief Aramaki.

Not complimentary at all.

(c) The Japanese animators' impression of Taiwan is one of familiarity.

The backdrop for Season 2, Episode 17 of the TV Series, called "DI: Mother and Child – RED DATA" (Shūkō Boshi RED DATA" (修好母子 RED DATA)), is Taiwan.

Although the animators tried to depict some local distinctives of Taiwan, but the Taiwan in this episode seems like just another Japanese city.

Maybe this is due to Taiwan being a former Japanese colony?


7. The opening theme song of Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex is "Inner Universe":

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EIVgSuuUTwQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_BJG2tQnwQw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lWhM_x_g6p4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgP8YHHq1uY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovHnkKvYZ74


8. The closing theme song of Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex is "Lithium Flower":

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XESreJjGx-I

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9byLoIsqeto

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LnyGKtSgfLU


9. The opening theme song of Ghost in the Shell: S.A.C. 2nd GIG is "Rise":

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WqhDFYSlj0U

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhHMI_0mFZ0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GOG-Bhrmn_0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxgCMh204Rc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIbP_cKwg24


10. The closing theme song of Ghost in the Shell: S.A.C. 2nd GIG is "Living Inside the Shell":

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7t_BjXid-w

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YSj91yopjDg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWf8P00Fw7E


11. "I Do" -- A tribute to and lament for the love between Motoko Kusanagi and Hideo Kuze that was not meant to be:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqmofWAAh1U

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UGRlJPmLrY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qIR8UEpMUJQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wzb2pT05DQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXg5dm3lavA

 
12. Added: Wednesday, April 20, 2016

When introducing the songs of Ghost in the Shell, how can I forget the hauntingly beautiful introductory song for Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence (2004):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z64HCi2rQkE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bc53Hya6iO0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3IGTiFuDjTI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mh9TriiyVHY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJsEYwguuj8
 

References:

Ashcraft, Brian. 2016. "The Japanese Internet Reacts to Scarlett Johansson in Ghost in the Shell". Kotaku, April 18.
http://kotaku.com/the-japanese-internet-reacts-to-scarlet-johansson-in-gh-1771544034
(accessed 2014-04-19).

BBC News. 2016. "Is Scarlett Johansson casting Hollywood 'whitewashing'?". BBC News, April 19.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-trending-36083113
(accessed 2014-04-19).

Blair, Gavin J. 2016. "Scarlett Johansson in 'Ghost in the Shell': Japanese Industry, Fans Surprised by 'Whitewashing' Outrage". The Hollywood Reporter, April 19.
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/scarlett-johansson-ghost-shell-japanese-885462
(accessed 2014-04-19).

Chan, Melissa. 2016. "Photo of Scarlett Johansson in Ghost in the Shell Reignites ‘Whitewashing’ Controversy". TIME, April 18.
http://time.com/4297950/scarlett-johansson-ghost-shell-whitewashing/
(accessed 2014-04-19).

Child, Ben. 2016a. "‘Whitewashing’ row over Scarlett Johansson's Ghost in the Shell role reignites". The Guardian, April 15.
http://www.theguardian.com/film/2016/apr/15/scarlett-johanssons-role-in-ghost-in-the-shell-ignites-twitter-storm
(accessed 2014-04-19).

Child, Ben. 2016b. "Why Max Landis is wrong about Scarlett Johansson's 'whitewashed' Ghost in the Shell remake". The Guardian, April 18.
http://www.theguardian.com/film/2016/apr/18/scarlett-johansson-ghost-in-the-shell-max-landis
(accessed 2014-04-19).

Han, Angie. 2016. "Why Hollywood’s Whitewashing of ‘Doctor Strange’ and ‘Ghost in the Shell’ Is So Frustrating." Film - Blogging the Reel World, April 18.
http://www.slashfilm.com/doctor-strange-ghost-in-the-shell-whitewashing/
(accessed 2014-04-19).

Opam, Kwame. 2016. "Scarlett Johansson’s Ghost in the Shell casting is even worse than it seems". The Verge, April 18.
http://www.theverge.com/2016/4/18/11455160/ghost-in-the-shell-scarlett-johansson-hollywood-casting
(accessed 2014-04-19).

Romano, Nick. 2016. "Max Landis on Scarlett Johansson's Ghost in the Shell casting". Entertainment, April 16.
http://www.ew.com/article/2016/04/16/ghost-shell-scarlett-johnasson-casting-max-landis
(accessed 2014-04-19).

Sampson, Mike. 2016. "Exclusive: ‘Ghost in the Shell’ Producers Reportedly Tested Visual Effects That Would Make White Actors Appear Asian". Screen Crush, April 15.
http://screencrush.com/ghost-in-the-shell-whitewashing-scarlett-johnasson-vfx/
(accessed 2014-04-19).

"Ghost in the Shell", Wikipedia - The Free Encyclopedia,
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghost_in_the_Shell
(accessed 2014-04-19).

"List of Ghost in the Shell: S.A.C. 2nd GIG episodes", Wikipedia - The Free Encyclopedia,
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Ghost_in_the_Shell:_S.A.C._2nd_GIG_episodes
(accessed 2014-04-19).

"List of Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex episodes", Wikipedia - The Free Encyclopedia,
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Ghost_in_the_Shell:_Stand_Alone_Complex_episodes
(accessed 2014-04-19).

"Music of Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex", Wikipedia - The Free Encyclopedia,
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_of_Ghost_in_the_Shell:_Stand_Alone_Complex
(accessed 2014-04-19).

End.

[Music] How Beautiful You Are -- Ayumi Hamasaki

Poster for Saigo Kara Nibanme no Koi (2012)

Poster for Zoku—Saigo Kara Nibanme no Koi (2014)

Chiaki Yoshino and the Nagakura Family

 Kyoko Koizumi (left) and Kiichi Nakai (right)

1. Chinese Quotations of the Day:

 
范仲淹 (989 - 1052)

 
《岳陽樓記》

「不以物喜，不以己悲。」

「先天下之憂而憂，後天下之樂而樂。」


2. How Beautiful You Are by Ayumi Hamasaki is the ending theme song of the Japanese TV drama Saigo Kara Nibanme no Koi (2012).

("Saigo Kara Nibanme no Koi", Wikipedia):

"Saigo Kara Nibanme no Koi (最後から二番目の恋 My Second Last Love) is a Japanese television drama series, starring Kyoko Koizumi and Kiichi Nakai. The series aired Thursdays at 22:00 - 22:54, on Fuji Television from January 12, to March 22, 2012."

"A second season entitled Zoku—Saigo Kara Nibanme no Koi (続・最後から二番目の恋) was broadcast by Fuji TV from April 17 to June 26, 2014."

"Described as an adult love story, the story of Saigo Kara Nibanme no Koi narrates the story of Chiaki Yoshino (Kyoko Koizumi), a 45-year-old TV drama producer. As she is becoming older, Yoshino becomes increasingly more concerned about her health and retirement, instead of building romantic relationship with someone: the life she once hoped for of sharing her life with someone else seems distant. Yoshino is subsequently troubled about deciding on taking a break from her ruling life, and such questions lead her to Kamakura, where she decides to move in and settle. In this ancient city she knows Wahei Nagakura (Kiichi Nakai), a 50-year-old widower and father of one child who works for the city office."

The stars of the drama are Kyoko Koizumi, Kiichi Nakai, Kenji Sakaguchi, Naoko Iijima, and Yuki Uchida; these are well-known actors to J-Drama.

I have watched both seasons and find some of the relationships depicted in the drama to be quite quirky, but they ultimately work for the audience.

The drama won Tokyo Drama Awards for Excellence (2013) and Best Screenplay (2014).

The setting for the drama is mainly in historic Kamakura City, which is not too distant from Tokyo and is the seat of power for the Kamakura shogunate (1192-1333).

The drama has some sceneries of Kamakura City including the historic Enoshima Electric Railway.

I have previously read a mystery novel in which murders took place along the Enoshima Electric Rail lines and am happy to get to know the rail lines better through this drama.

 
3. How Beautiful You Are by Ayumi Hamasaki:

Concert:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVrZxWBsCSU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FW0cq4PlpZo

Music video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4AtQGD8r4YM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWHkis8nVcs

The making of the music video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXFeoXJrmqI


References:

"Ayumi Hamasaki", Wikipedia - The Free Encyclopedia,
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayumi_Hamasaki
(accessed 2015-09-22).

"How Beautiful You Are (Ayumi Hamasaki song)", Wikipedia - The Free Encyclopedia,
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/How_Beautiful_You_Are_%28Ayumi_Hamasaki_song%29
(accessed 2015-09-22).

"Saigo Kara Nibanme no Koi", Wikipedia - The Free Encyclopedia,
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saigo_Kara_Nibanme_no_Koi
(accessed 2015-09-22).

"范仲淹", Wikipedia - The Free Encyclopedia,
https://zh.wikipedia.org/zh-hk/%E8%8C%83%E4%BB%B2%E6%B7%B9
(accessed 2015-09-22).

"岳陽樓記白話翻譯", study.ck.tp.edu.tw,
http://study.ck.tp.edu.tw/teafiles/tctso/%A9%A8%B6%A7%BC%D3%B0O%A5%D5%B8%DC%5B1%5D.htm
(accessed 2015-09-22).

"岳陽樓記", Wikipedia - The Free Encyclopedia,
https://zh.wikipedia.org/zh-hk/%E5%B2%B3%E9%98%B3%E6%A5%BC%E8%AE%B0
(accessed 2015-09-22).

"岳阳楼记", baike.baidu.com,
http://baike.baidu.com/view/15258.htm
(accessed 2015-09-22).

End.

[Music & Poem] "Thou Shalt Not Die" by Akiko Yosano

Akiko Yosano (1878 - 1942)

1. This year (2015) is the 70th Anniversary of the end of the Second World War.

There are many commemorations in different countries for the anniversary.

I like to remember the pains and sufferings of wars with the following poem by Akiko Yosano (1878-1942).

I find the title of this poem especially touching: "Thou Shalt Not Die" (1904) (Chinese: "賜君莫死").


2. ("Akiko Yosano", Wikipedia):

"Akiko Yosano (与謝野 晶子 Yosano Akiko, Seiji: 與謝野 晶子, 7 December 1878 – 29 May 1942) was the pen-name of a Japanese author, poet, pioneering feminist, pacifist, and social reformer, active in the late Meiji period as well as the Taishō and early Shōwa periods of Japan. Her name at birth was Shō Hō (鳳 志よう Hō Shō). She is one of the most famous, and most controversial, post-classical woman poets of Japan."

"Yosano was born into a prosperous merchant family in Sakai, near Osaka. From the age of 11, she was the family member most responsible for running the family business, which produced and sold yokan, a type of confection. From early childhood, she was fond of reading literary works, and read widely in her father's extensive library. When she was a high school student, she began to subscribe to the poetry magazine Myōjō ("Bright Star"), and she became one of its most important contributors. Myōjō’s editor, Tekkan Yosano, taught her tanka poetry. They met when he came to Osaka and Sakai to deliver lectures and teach workshops."

"Although Tekkan had a common-law wife, Tekkan and Akiko fell in love. Tekkan eventually separated from his common-law wife, and the two poets started a new life together in the suburb of Tokyo. Tekkan and Akiko married in 1901. The couple would have two sons, Hikaru and Shigeru. Despite separation from his first wife, Tekkan remained actively involved with her."


3. (Beichman 2006):

"In the poem 'Thou Shalt Not Die', which was published in Myôjô in September, 1904, Akiko is bewailing the fact that her younger brother Sôshichi has been sent to fight in the Russo-Japanese War, and appealing to him not to let himself be killed. (It is not a tanka, but a shintaishi, written in alternating lines of five and seven syllables). During that war it was regarded as an unpatriotic poem, but after World War II it achieved great popularity as an anti-war poem. ..."


4. (Phillips 2012):

"Amongst Akiko’s most controversial poems was Kimi shinitamou koto nakare (‘Thou Shalt Not Die’), written for her younger brother during the Russo-Japanese war of 1904-5. This poem was turned into a song, and used as an anti-war anthem during the long and violent siege of Port Arthur."


Singing:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WAzBAxXrg0U 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Om8b__CcudU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIpDoZV8z2E

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LupdEIrQLC8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jqr5frW0kuM

Reading:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bz7XeJ7BIIU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxielI0wXIw


5. The Poem in English (Partial translation):

Source: http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/o-my-brother-you-must-not-die/


O My Brother, You Must Not Die

by Akiko Yosano


O my young brother, I cry for you
Don't you understand you must not die!
You who were born the last of all
Command a special store of parents' love
Would parents place a blade in children's hands
Teaching them to murder other men
Teaching them to kill and then to die?
Have you so learned and grown to twenty-four?

O my brother, you must not die!
Could it be the Emperor His Grace
Exposeth not to jeopardy of war
But urgeth men to spilling human blood
And dying in the way of wild beasts,
Calling such death the path to glory?
If His Grace possesseth noble heart
What must be the thoughts that linger there?


6. The Poem in English (Full translation):

Source: http://pw1.netcom.com/~kyamazak/lit/_Jpoet/yosano_kimishini.htm

Note: Yosano Akiko (maiden name Hō) was born to a candy merchant called Surugaya. Her younger brother Chûzaburo, who inherited the family business fought in the Russo-Japanese War. This poem "Kimi shini tamau koto nakare (Prithee Do not Die)" is about her worries when he was in Lüshun (Port Arthur) which became a fierce battleground.


Prithee Do Not Die

(Lamenting my younger brother in combat as one of the troops besieged at Lüshun (Port Arthur))

by Akiko Yosano
　　　

Oh, younger brother mine, for thee I weep,
Prithee do not die,
For you were born the very last,
And our parents loved you all the more,
Yet they made thee grasp a blade in hand,
Taught thee kill a man you shall,
Kill a man, and die you too,
groomed you thus to age twenty-four.

Master now of the proud old house,
The merchant-house of Sakai(1), our town,
You must now carry on our name,
So I prithee, do not die,
Though Lüshun's(2) fortress should perish,
Should it be saved, what of that?
Thou ought know, it nowhere commands
On the familial codes(3) of our merchant house.

I prithee do not die,
The Heavenly-Prince does not himself
Lead by his own august presence his troop to battle.
For to command that men shed blood of men,
And die following the beastly path(4),
And tell us death be the glory of men,
If his Highness' heart be compassionate,
How could he truly think it so?

Oh young brother mine in battle,
I prithee you mustn't die.
Our mother who has lagged behind father
In the passing of the autumn years of life,
It sores me to watch her lament,
Deprived of son to guard the home,
And though she hears our Highness hale and safe,
Our mother's gray hair grows.

Stooping in the shade of the noren(5) she weeps,
The frail young wife of yours,
Or have you forgotten? Or do you think of her?
Think on her maidenly feeling,
Together ere ten months, then parted,
And there's none another the likes of you,
Oh once again I ask,
Prithee do not die.

— pub. in Myōjō Sept. 1904.

Notes:

1 Sakai is a merchant town with a rich history, which prospered by foreign trade in the age of Warring-States, and its merchants were proud and independent-minded. The famous tea ceremony master Sen-no-Rikyū (1522-1591) who committed harakiri was a Sakai merchant.

2 Lüshun(Port Arthur), pronounced "Ryojun" in Japanese, was a naval port for Russia's Eastern Fleet.

3 An "old family" often has something called kakun or lessons — do's and don'ts that are passed down generation to generation. The poetess is saying that since they are merchant family, dying to defend a castle is certainly not one of those lessons.

4 beastly path is a reference to a course of conduct without morality or discipline; In Buddhism, if your conduct in this life is poor, you are said to be relegated to chikushōdō "way of beasts" in the next life.

5 noren is the shop curtain, the drape of cloth hanging at the shop entrance. There is also such a curtain between the storefront and the back area.


7. The Poem in Japanese:

Source: http://pw1.netcom.com/~kyamazak/lit/_Jpoet/yosano_kimishini.htm


君死にたまふことなかれ

(旅順口包囲軍の中にある弟を歎きて)

与謝野晶子


あゝをとうとよ君を泣く
君死にたまふことなかれ
末に生れし君なれば
親のなさけはまさりしも
親は刃(やいば)をにぎらせて
人を殺せとをしへしや
人を殺して死ねよとて
二十四までをそだてしや

堺の街のあきびと(1)の
旧家をほこるあるじにて
親の名を継ぐ君なれば
君死にたまふことなかれ
旅順(2)の城はほろぶとも
ほろびずとても何事か
君知るべきやあきびとの
家のおきてに無かりけり

君死にたまふことなかれ
すめらみこと(3)は戦ひに
おほみづからは出でまさね
かたみ(4)に人の血を流し
獣の道に死ねよとは
死ぬるを人のほまれとは
大みこゝろ(5)の深ければ
もとよりいかで思(おぼ)されむ

あゝをとうとよ戦ひに
君死にたまふことなかれ
すぎにし秋を父ぎみに
おくれたまへる母ぎみは
なげきの中にいたましく
わが子を召され家を守(も)り
安しと聞ける大御代も
母のしら髪はまさりぬる

暖簾(のれん)のかげに伏して泣く
あえかに(6)わかき新妻を
君わするるや思へるや
十月(とつき)も添はでわかれたる
少女(おとめ)ごころを思ひみよ
この世ひとりの君ならで
あゝまた誰をたのむべき
君死にたまふことなかれ

－１９０４年『明星』９月号に掲載

注釈：

1 あきびと＝商人

2 旅順＝遼東半島南端にある軍港。 ロシアの東洋艦隊の基地で要塞が築かれていた。

3 すめらみこと＝天皇

4 かたみに＝たがいに

5 大みこゝろ＝天皇のこころ

6 あえかに＝かよわく


8. The Poem in Modern Chinese:

Source: http://www.douban.com/group/topic/21583620/


你不要死去
 
(为包围旅顺口军中的弟弟而悲叹)
 
与谢野晶子

(李　芒译)


啊，弟弟呀，我为你哭泣，
你不要死去！
你是咱家最小的弟弟，
双亲加倍地疼爱你。
双亲何曾教你紧握利刃，
为了杀人到前线去？
双亲把你养育成二十四岁，
哪里是为了你先杀别人后葬自己？

既然是这[土界]市①的商人世家——
值得自豪的主人②
你就必须传宗接代，
你不要死去！
旅顺城即便失陷，
或能保住，又有啥关系？
你当然不会晓得，
商人家规里并无这一条。

你不要死去，
天皇不会亲自参加战役。
皇恩浩荡，
　岂能有这样的旨意——
让人们流血而死，
让人们死如禽兽，
还说什么
　这就是荣誉。

啊，弟弟呀，
你不要在战争中死去。
去年秋季父亲逝世，
撇下母亲，余悲未息，
又痛心地送儿子应召开拔，
自己则孤苦零丁，独守四壁。
纵然是升平的圣代，
母亲的白发却日见多起。

你那年轻纤弱的新娘，
常常蜷伏在帘后哭泣。
你已然忘怀，抑或尚在思念，
新婚不满十月就凉了枕席。
要哀怜这少女的心啊，
她在世上依靠的只有你
只有你一个人呀，
你不要死去！
　　　　　　　　
①[土界]市属于大阪府，位于大阪南部附近，为作者出生地。

②日本人以长子继承父业和财产，故作如此说。
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　

References:

"Akiko Yosano", Wikipedia - The Free Encyclopedia,
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akiko_Yosano
(accessed 2015-08-29).

Beichman, Janine. 2006. "Thou Shalt Not Die: Yosano Akiko and the Russo-Japanese War". The Asiatic Society of Japan. December 11.
http://www.asjapan.org/web.php/lectures/2006/12
(accessed 2015-08-29).

Leahmama1. 2012. "Japanese Anti-War Poet". Japan Journal: food, books and thoughts on my life Blog. September 16.
https://leahinjapan.wordpress.com/tag/yosano-akiko/
(accessed 2015-08-29).

Phillips, Jeremy. 2012. "They died in 1942 -- 2: Akiko Yosano". The 1709 Blog. December 26.
http://the1709blog.blogspot.ca/2012/12/they-died-in-1942-2-akiko-yosano.html
(accessed 2015-08-29).

"與謝野晶子", Wikipedia - The Free Encyclopedia,
https://zh.wikipedia.org/zh-hk/%E8%88%87%E8%AC%9D%E9%87%8E%E6%99%B6%E5%AD%90
(accessed 2015-08-29).

"与谢野晶子", baike.baidu.com,
http://baike.baidu.com/view/299252.htm
(accessed 2015-08-29).

盧荻. 2015. " '你不要死' ——道德政治的背面". 盧荻：生活與知識博客. January 5.
http://kakafuka.mysinablog.com/index.php?op=ViewArticle&articleId=6812135
(accessed 2015-08-29).

End.

[Music] We're All Alone -- Takako Matsu

Poster for At the Soul of An Actor (2006)

Takako Matsu

1. Chinese Poem of the Day:


李白 (701 - 762)

山中問答

問余何意棲碧山，笑而不答心自閒。

桃花流水窅然去，別有天地非人間。


2. I have been enjoying Takako MATSU's acting since I came across her in the 1996 Japanese TV drama Long Vacation.

According to Wikipedia, "Takako Matsu was born into a traditional buyō house, which produced famous actors and actresses", so I suppose singing and acting is in her gene.

And she does excel in both singing and acting.

Many of Takako Matsu's music are of the folksy type.

("Takako Matsu", Wikipedia): "Matsu has an established career as a songwriter and singer and the style of her music is often laid-back and relaxing."


3. The song We're All Alone is the theme song of the 2006 Japanese TV drama At the Soul of An Actor, which starred Takako Matsu and Makoto FUJITA.

("Yakusha Damashii", DramaWiki):

"Life is often likened to a stage of a play. And you are the star of your life. Everyone should have a story or two to tell. But some people just don't realize it and stay out of the limelight choosing to live in someone else's backstage just like our heroine. Since she lost her parents when she was only 3, she just has been accepting what life gives her instead of trying to get more. But when she starts working for a seasoned Shakespeare actor who has his own problems as his manager, she finds a strange bond with him and develops a special relationship like a family. This is a heartwarming comedy with full of struggle, humor, witty conversation, and love."

This 11 episodes TV drama is very heartwarming and I do feel warm and fuzzy when I watched it.

Although all the actors give very good performances, I especially like the main character Kaizo HONNOJI, which is "Japan's representative Shakespearean actor" in the drama.

Kaizo Honnoji was played by Makoto Fujita, who was 73 years old when he appeared in this drama.

Makoto Fujita passed away in 2010.


4. We're All Alone by Takako Matsu:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dl7_ur3SZkI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODLOegF-6DQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWVNjMw5GSI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pekfd5JQ9Y0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZIWIin8TdM


5. Covers of We're All Alone by Aya Matsuura:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PK0rgpBqncQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKhfeseE8ZM

The song starts at the 2:50 mark:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0dq7djM9y0


6. An aside -- The Japanese version of Let It Go of Disney's Frozen (2013) is sung by Takako Matsu:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZ1poicuB2s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-dqMG-Uycg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oph93kXKEQg


7. Names, Words and Phrases:

At the Soul of an Actor (Japanese: 役者魂!; romaji: Yakusha Damashii).

Aya Matsuura (Japanese: 松浦亜弥).

Kaizo Honnoji (Japanese: 本能寺海造).

Long Vacation (Japanese: ロングバケーション; Chinese: 悠長假期).

Makoto Fujita (Japanese: 藤田まこと).

Takako Matsu (Japanese: 松たか子; Chinese: 松隆子).

We're All Alone (Japanese: みんなひとり; romaji: Minna Hitori).


References:

"Yakusha Damashii", DramaWiki,
http://wiki.d-addicts.com/Yakusha_Damashii
(accessed 2014-08-30).

"Takako Matsu", Wikipedia - The Free Encyclopedia,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Takako_Matsu
(accessed 2014-08-30).

"松たか子", Wikipedia - The Free Encyclopedia,
http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E6%9D%BE%E3%81%9F%E3%81%8B%E5%AD%90
(accessed 2014-08-30).

"松隆子", Wikipedia - The Free Encyclopedia,
http://zh.wikipedia.org/zh-hk/%E6%9D%BE%E9%9A%86%E5%AD%90
(accessed 2014-08-30).

"李白", Wikipedia - The Free Encyclopedia,
http://zh.wikipedia.org/zh-hk/%E6%9D%8E%E7%99%BD
(accessed 2014-08-30).

End.

[Music] KISS shite -- KOH+

 Poster for Galileo (Season 1) (2007)

 Kou Shibasaki and Masaharu Fukuyama

1. The Japanese mystery writer Keigo HIGASHINO has written a series of novels and short stories with Associate Physics Professor Manabu YUKAWA and detective Kaoru UTSUMI as the main characters.

"Detective Galileo" is the nickname given to Associate Physics Professor Manabu Yukawa.

According to the article "Keigo Higashino" in Wikipedia, there are 3 novels and 5 short story collections in the Detective Galileo series.

Seven of the 8 books have been translated into Chinese and I have read 4 of them; they are all very good read.

(While 5 of the novels are published in both mainland China and Taiwan by different publishers, 2 are published in mainland China only.)

(In general, books published in mainland China are in Simplified Chinese and books published in Taiwan are in Traditional Chinese.)

A novel in the series, The Devotion of Suspect X ("容疑者Xの献身") (2005), won the Noaki Prize in 2006.

(The Naoki Prize is among the most prestigious literary awards in Japan.)

According to Wikipedia ("Keigo Higashino"), the English translation of The Devotion of Suspect X (2005) is in 2012:

(a) Nominee for Edgar Award for Best Novel.

(b) Nominee for Barry Award for Best First Novel.

(c) Chosen by the American Library Association as Best Mystery Novel for their 2012 reading list.


2. In recent years, among Asian TV dramas, I enjoy watching Japanese dramas the most.

One reason is because many Japanese TV dramas have very good scripts.

I suppose that is so is because some of them are based on very good literary works.

Examples are the TV dramas:

(a) Galileo (Season 1) (2007),

(b) Galileo SP (2008), and

(c) Galileo (Season 2) (2013)

and the movies:

(d) Suspect X (2008), and

(e) Midsummer's Equation (2013)

all based on the Detective Galileo series of mystery novels.

I have watched all the TV dramas and the movie Suspect X (2008).

(I like to thank one of my younger brothers for supplying the TV dramas and movie for me to watch.)

Some of the short stories in the Detective Galileo series are very brief and the TV dramas have fleshed them out.

In general, I like the TV versions better.

Also, I am very impressed by actress Amami YUKI's performance as the "Woman Saint" in the last two episodes of Galileo (Season 2) (2013), which is based on Salvation of a [Woman] Saint ("聖女の救済") (2008).


3. KISS shite ("KISSして") (2007) is the ending theme song for the TV drama Galileo (Season 1) (2007) and is sung by Kou SHIBASAKI.

The actor playing Associate Physics Professor Manabu Yukawa is Masaharu FUKUYAMA.

The actress playing detective Kaoru Utsumi is Kou Shibasaki.

Masaharu Fukuyama and Kou Shibasaki are both accomplished actors and musicians.

Both the music and lyrics of KISS shite (2007) are composed by Masaharu Fukuyama.

After the drama, Fukuyama and Shibasaki formed a band called "KOH+".

("Masaharu Fukuyama", Wikipedia):

"In 2007, after a four-years absence from drama, Fukuyama returned to television, starring as the brilliant but eccentric Physics Associate Professor, Manabu Yukawa, in the widely acclaimed television drama Galileo. His won 'Best Actor' at the 55th Television Drama Academy Awards for the role. He also formed a band, KOH+, with his co-star in the drama Kou Shibasaki."


4. KISS shite (2007) by KOH+ with Kou Shibasaki as lead singer and Masaharu Fukuyama as guitarist:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_uU5JwkCzQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5_fQpCH7No

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-rnb4P2FIM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lL20p-rrKiY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LnVhkPB28lA


5. KISS shite (2007) by Galileo (Season 1)'s lead actress Kou Shibasaki:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMZ4keO5Bbw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vp1TpyHtbQI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCgS87aRQ2k

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=usINnsqkM4U

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4u_XCxHxYg


6. KISS shite (2007) by Galileo (Season 1)'s lead actor Masaharu Fukuyama:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRyntzUmMjY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqzTWwBw3AE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5sJ-wdgWqzQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzb7CE_yIaQ


7. This upload has the song twice:

The first is by Kou Shibasaki with video from the TV drama and the second by Masaharu Fukuyama in concert:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mo15efX5YN8


8. Names, Words and Phrases:

Amami Yuki (Traditional Chinese: 天海祐希; Simplified Chinese: 天海佑希).

Detective Galileo (Traditional: 神探伽利略; Simplified: 神探伽利略).

Kaoru Utsumi (Traditional: 内海 薫; Simplified: 内海 薫).

Keigo Higashino (Traditional: 東野圭吾; Simplified: 东野圭吾).

KISSして (Traditional: Kiss 吧; Simplified: Kiss 吧).

Kou Shibasaki (Traditional: 柴咲 幸; Simplified: 柴咲 幸).

Manabu Yukawa (Traditional: 湯川 學; Simplified: 汤川 学).

Masaharu Fukuyama (Traditional: 福山雅治; Simplified: 福山雅治).

Midsummer's Equation (Traditional: 真夏方程式; Simplified: 真夏方程序).

Noaki Prize (Traditional: 直木獎; Simplified: 直木奖).

Salvation of a [Woman] Saint (Traditional: 聖女的救贖; Simplified: 圣女的救赎).

The Devotion of Suspect X (Traditional: 嫌疑犯X的獻身; Simplified: 嫌疑犯X的献身).


References:

"Galileo (TV series)", Wikipedia - The Free Encyclopedia,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galileo_%28Japanese_television_drama%29
(accessed 2014-07-26).

"Keigo Higashino", Wikipedia - The Free Encyclopedia,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keigo_Higashino
(accessed 2014-07-26).

"Kō Shibasaki", Wikipedia - The Free Encyclopedia,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kou_Shibasaki
(accessed 2014-07-26).

"Masaharu Fukuyama", Wikipedia - The Free Encyclopedia,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masaharu_Fukuyama
(accessed 2014-07-26).

"Midsummer's Equation", Wikipedia - The Free Encyclopedia,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Midsummer%27s_Equation
(accessed 2014-07-26).

"Salvation of a Saint", Wikipedia - The Free Encyclopedia,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salvation_of_a_Saint
(accessed 2014-07-26).

"Suspect X", Wikipedia - The Free Encyclopedia,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suspect_X
(accessed 2014-07-26).

"東野圭吾", Wikipedia - The Free Encyclopedia,
http://zh.wikipedia.org/zh-hk/%E6%9D%B1%E9%87%8E%E5%9C%AD%E5%90%BE
(accessed 2014-07-26).

"柴咲幸", Wikipedia - The Free Encyclopedia,
http://zh.wikipedia.org/zh-hk/%E6%9F%B4%E5%92%B2%E5%B9%B8
(accessed 2014-07-26).

"福山雅治", Wikipedia - The Free Encyclopedia,
http://zh.wikipedia.org/zh-hk/%E7%A6%8F%E5%B1%B1%E9%9B%85%E6%B2%BB
(accessed 2014-07-26).

"伽利略系列", Wikipedia - The Free Encyclopedia,
http://zh.wikipedia.org/zh-hk/%E4%BC%BD%E5%88%A9%E7%95%A5%E7%B3%BB%E5%88%97
(accessed 2014-07-26).

End.

[Music] Some Songs from InuYasha (Japanese Anime)

Posters for InuYasha

1. InuYasha ("犬夜叉") is the name for a Japanese manga and anime series.

I first came across InuYasha when the anime was broadcasted on Canada's YTV TV channel between 2003 and 2006.

The anime premiered in Japan between 2000 and 2004.

There are 167 episodes to the original TV anime.

A 26 episodes season called InuYasha: The Final Act was premiered in Japan in 2009 to wrap-up the series.

"The series spawned four anime films which feature original plot." ("InuYasha", Wikipedia)

I have watched all the TV episodes and two of the anime films.

The English dubbing of InuYasha was done here in Vancouver and it was very nicely done.


2. There are about 30 original songs associated with InuYasha:

http://inuyasha.wikia.com/wiki/Music

The songs are all good songs; but some of them are just excellent.

Some of the songs are performed by such well known singers as Namie Amuro and Ayumi Hamasaki.

The following are 8 selections from the bunch:

 
(a) Change the World by V6.

(1st opening song – for Episodes 1 to 34.)

 
(b) I am by hitomi.

(2nd opening song – for Episodes 35 to 64.)

 
(c) Owarinai Yume ("Unending Dream") by Nanase Aikawa.

(3rd opening song – for Episodes 65 to 95.)

 
(d) Grip! by Every Little Thing.

(4th opening song – for Episodes 96 to 127.)

 
(e) Fukai Mori ("Deep in the Forest") by Do As Infinity.

(2nd ending song – for Episodes 21 to 41.)

 
(f) Dearest by Ayumi Hamasaki.

(3rd ending song – for Episodes 42 to 60.)

 
(g) Every Heart -Minna no Kimochi- by BoA.

(4th ending song – for Episodes 61 to 85.)

 
(h) Itazura na KISS ("Mischievous Kiss") by Day After Tomorrow.

(6th ending song – for Episodes 109 to 127.)


3. Change the World by V6:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_eQPec-u0fk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1SXK0zUmrC8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=al9VwDOPp1I

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2iBCcoMrAUQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrOz9z1lS4c


English:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USpXKk0luIg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNC0_QD8nN4


Violin:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjFlbC_IVjE


Piano (1st of 4 songs):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cphRjyt3yD4


Another piano:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Woednt7Q3Mc


Guitar:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUtZDnxxvMg


Symphonic:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GngwZ07hngU

and more in YouTube.


4. I am by hitomi:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCDttld148w

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yg-6T5WKk_w

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnGWHIU2Kso

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-zip06N9Nc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Av4s_bJKJ9k


Symphonic:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xS_vTKlqMzc

and more in YouTube.


5. Owarinai Yume ("Unending Dream") by Nanase Aikawa:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STAnFs1H8-g

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlpCIm8J8bI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2oM3TZerko

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KxDGo4raqCs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=173GzQyJN7M


Symphonic:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-rLY0iRUyg

and more in YouTube.


6. Grip! by Every Little Thing:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWrny-b4Iuc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tpLchUpEn0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFavYPUalJ4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PyGmGA2q6OU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVmW9iNn4mU


Symphonic:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DqzSzO1b3To

and more in YouTube.


7. Fukai Mori ("Deep in the Forest") by Do As Infinity:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8fiOiUoExU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qIoDWTF0qSo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKDzj3kXUjw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YWtmzzGHzo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzPstLm4R_g


Symphonic:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXRzvbOvINk

and more in YouTube.


8. Dearest by Ayumi Hamasaki:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qNDh673Ots

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZWPBjJ7fLw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGZ7UxVqcmU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUlm5WcaCpI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWxq5dYFQac


Instrumental:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BFFwwV_Qw8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4DEamZa-Jcc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pwc8jCHl4pk


Symphonic:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcISOGUzsD4

and more in YouTube.


9. Every Heart -Minna no Kimochi- by BoA:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZyco3173us

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBCDVlGdAKQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aW-W8PaUoc0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wGWtYLtzes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YU3jOmR5MdY


Symphonic:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-JG47HsYvo

and more in YouTube.


10. Itazura na KISS ("Mischievous Kiss") by Day After Tomorrow:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_eFKHKdjb8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZA4VRFfhtCA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXbD9NL9ZLw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNk8Rqw-Mtg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8mf6hRSRZ4

and more in YouTube.


References:

"InuYasha", Wikipedia - The Free Encyclopedia,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/InuYasha
(accessed 2014-03-26).

"Music - InuYasha Wiki", Wikia,
http://inuyasha.wikia.com/wiki/Music
(accessed 2014-03-26).

"犬夜叉", Wikipedia - The Free Encyclopedia,
http://zh.wikipedia.org/zh-hk/%E7%8A%AC%E5%A4%9C%E5%8F%89
(accessed 2014-03-26).

End.

[Music] Some Theme Songs from 3 Japanese TV Dramas starring Takuya KIMURA and Takako MATSU

Takuya KIMURA

Takako MATSU

1. Chinese Poem of the Day:

梁啟超 (1873 - 1929)

自勵

獻身甘作萬矢的，著論求為百世師。

誓起民權移舊俗，更研哲理牖新知。

十年以後當思我，舉國猶狂欲語誰？

世界無窮願無盡，海天寥廓立多時。


2. After graduation from university in the 1980s, I seldom watched Asian TV dramas anymore.

That was due to changes in personal circumstances.

I started watching Asian TV dramas again a few years ago.

This was also due to a change in personal circumstances -- one of my younger brothers has been supplying me with shows to watch.

But I noticed that there is a change in what the term "Asian TV dramas" means to a typical Hong Kong person.

In the 1970s and 1980s, the semantic range of the term “Asian TV dramas” usually includes TV dramas produced in Hong Kong, Japan, or Taiwan.

In the 1990s and 2000s, however, the semantic range of the term has expanded to include TV dramas produced in Korea and mainland China.


3. Takuya Kimura (木村拓哉) (male) and Takako Matsu (松たか子) (female) were one of the golden couples of Japanese TV dramas from the mid-1990s to the 2000s.

Three TV dramas where they appeared together are:

(a) Long Vacation (1996) (11 episodes);

(b) Love Generation (1997) (11 episodes); and

(c) Hero (2001) (11 episodes).

Besides being well-acted and having a good script, each of these TV dramas stands out for me because of their theme songs.

Hearing their theme songs will usually remind me of the corresponding dramas.

4. Long Vacation (1996):

5. Takuya Kimura, of SMAP fame, was already a heartthrob by the time he starred in Long Vacation (1996).

But Long Vacation (1996) really established Takako Matsu's standing as a TV actress.

Long Vacation (1996) is a love story.

Although Takuya Kimura eventually ended up with Tomoko Yamaguchi (the lead actress) in the drama, Takako Matsu will forever be known as the woman who has rejected Takuya Kimura.


6. The theme song of Long Vacation (1996) is called La La La Love Song.

" 'La La La Love Song' is a song recorded by Japanese R&B singer Toshinobu Kubota for his ninth studio album, La La La Love Thang (1996). The song was written by Kubota and produced by Yoichiro Kakizaki." ("La La La Love Song", Wikipedia.)

This song has been disabled in YouTube due to copyright claims by Sony Music.

The followings are from Tudou.com (Like YouTube, Tudou has a 15-20 seconds commercial at the beginning of the video.):

http://www.tudou.com/programs/view/j0ZqHbbQT78/

The video are scenes are the TV drama.

Long Vacation (1996) is part of a Japanese wave that has swept Hong Kong and many parts of Asia.


7. Music videos with Toshinobu Kubota:

http://www.tudou.com/programs/view/r0sr0Wem1fE/

http://www.tudou.com/programs/view/jgkiu9UnuZQ/

http://www.tudou.com/programs/view/tEQ_IRv4F-M/


8. A piano version of La La La Love Song:

http://www.tudou.com/programs/view/idP7GjnGM5U/


9. Love Generation (1997):

10. The theme song of Love Generation (1997) is called Shiawase na Ketsumatsu and is by Ohtaki Eiichi:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVbgH_N6yjk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QY6XrLw2hJk

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

Love Generation (1997) is a very sweet love story with a happy ending.


11. This is just the music of Shiawase na Ketsumatsu:

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


12. There are two memorable sub-theme songs of Love Generation (1997).

True True is one of them:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhJntyi6fhE&feature=fvwrel

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YA46L0yIWc&feature=fvwrel


13. The second memorable sub-theme song of Love Generation (1997) is Hear Me Cry:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8o0W6SnqZm0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUKWCGf4YpA

14. Hero (2001):

15. The theme song of Hero (2001) is called Can You Keep A Secret?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AwQuXbae3N4

In Hero (2001), Takuya Kimura stars as a prosecutor investigating cases before deciding whether to laid charges and Takako Matsu is his assistant.


References:

"Hero (2001 TV series)", Wikipedia - The Free Encyclopedia,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hero_%282001_TV_series%29
(accessed 2012-11-19).

"La La La Love Song", Wikipedia - The Free Encyclopedia,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_La_La_Love_Song
(accessed 2012-11-19).

"Long Vacation", Wikipedia - The Free Encyclopedia,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long_Vacation
(accessed 2012-11-19).

"Love Generation (TV series)", Wikipedia - The Free Encyclopedia,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Love_Generation_%28TV_series%29
(accessed 2012-11-19).

"Takako Matsu", Wikipedia - The Free Encyclopedia,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Takako_Matsu
(accessed 2012-11-19).

"Takuya Kimura", Wikipedia - The Free Encyclopedia,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Takuya_Kimura
(accessed 2012-11-19).

"梁启超", Wikipedia - The Free Encyclopedia,
http://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E6%A2%81%E5%95%9F%E8%B6%85
(accessed 2012-11-19).

End.

[Music] Love Like Flower in Water -- Keiko Matsuzaka

 

Keiko Matsuzaka

1. I have been bewitched by Keiko Matsuzaka since watching her performance in House on Fire (1986) and have been following her career on and off for the last 25 years.

 

2. The last three movies of Keiko Matsuzaka's that I have watched are:

(a) Runin (Banished) (2005):

 

(b) Colour Blossoms (2004):

(c) Sakuya: Slayer of Demons (2000): 

 
3. The last three TV dramas of Keiko Matsuzaka's that I have watched are:

(a) Madonna Verde (2011) (6 episodes) in which Keiko played a surrogate mother for her daughter:

(b) Summer Romance Shines in Rainbow Color (2010) (10 episodes) in which Keiko played a dizzy mother to Jun Matsumoto's character:

(c) I've Been Married to Hell! (Oh! My Mother in Law!) (2007) (9 episodes) in which Keiko played a dizzy but well-meaning mother-in-law to Yukie Nakama's character:

4. ("Keiko Matsuzaka", Wikipedia):

Keiko Matsuzaka (松坂慶子 Matsuzaka Keiko) (born July 20, 1952) is an actress.

Born in Ōta, Tokyo, her father was a naturalized South Korean while her mother was Japanese. Active as a child actress in the 1960s, she came into her own as an adult with Daiei, then in 1972 with Shochiku.


5. Keiko Matsuzaka has a performing career that spans over 40 years and is still going strong.

Although mainly an actress, Keiko has performed some memorable songs too.

Love Like Flower in Water ("愛の水中花") is the theme song for the Japanese TBS TV drama Flower in the Water (“水中花”) that was first aired in July, 1979.

Besides singing the theme song, Keiko Matsuzaka was also the star of this TV drama.


6. Keiko Matsuzaka performances for the 1979 TV drama:

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

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

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sVRzMbtZ-M


7. Keiko Matsuzaka performing in 1980 ("昭和55年"):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CaS5V6VVPLE


8. Keiko Matsuzaka can express many different kinds of mood:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TwjnpwhG5P4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V17FlSNJsE4


9. A recent performance by Keiko Matsuzaka:

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


10. The song in some interesting animation:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71Rv5DuL8-4


11. The song with some static photos:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0SR20udS_I

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpjzRQCo4rA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75tCIukjSyc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plV97HDuah4

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


12. In performing this different song, the only way I can describe Keiko Matsuzaka is that she was "oozing" female sexuality:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXj4OQcWaD8


References:

"Keiko Matsuzaka", Internet Movie Database (IMDb),
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0559698/
(accessed 2012-09-19).

"Keiko Matsuzaka", Wikipedia - The Free Encyclopedia,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keiko_Matsuzaka
(accessed 2012-09-19).

"松坂慶子", Wikipedia - The Free Encyclopedia,
http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E6%9D%BE%E5%9D%82%E6%85%B6%E5%AD%90
(accessed 2012-09-19).

"松坂慶子", Wikipedia - The Free Encyclopedia,
http://zh.wikipedia.org/zh-hant/%E6%9D%BE%E5%9D%82%E6%85%B6%E5%AD%90
(accessed 2012-09-19).

End.