いろはにほへと／孤独のあかつき Iro wa Nioedo [Irohanihoheto]/Kodoku no Akatsuki / Though there may be a bright scent/In the Event of Loneliness
2013.05.27
いろはにほへと Iro wa Nioedo [Irohanihoheto] / Though the bright colors may be fragrant
Translator: Sarah/frecklegirl
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Song info: Theme song for the Fuji TV drama “Kamo, Kyoto e Iku. ~Shinise Ryokan no Okami Nikki~ [Kamo, to Kyoto. ~Diary of a Proprietess at a Long-standing Inn~]”
Info: This song’s title is the first line of a famous Heian-era Japanese poem and refers to flowers, which are brightly colored, sweet smelling, but temporary. It contains every syllable in the Japanese syllabary once, so this first line also doubles as an ordering system; “Iroha” has the same meaning as “the basics” or “the ABC’s of” something. While the characters directly transliterated read “Irohanihoheto,” the modern pronunciation is “Iro wa Nioedo.”
ただならぬ関係 Tadanaranu Kankei / Extraordinary Connection
Translator: Sarah/frecklegirl
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Song info: A previously unreleased song released on Tokyo Jihen’s B-side album “Shinya-waku” [The Late-Night Frames] (original Japanese: 深夜枠).
真夏の脱獄者 Manatsu no Datsugokusha / Midsummer Escapees
Translator: Sarah/frecklegirl
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Translator’s notes: [1] While the words “Bonnie and Clyde” do not appear in the original Japanese, the Japanese title of the 1967 Bonnie and Clyde film (俺たちに明日はない / ore-tachi ni asu wa nai / there’s no tomorrow for us) does.
Song info: Ringo wrote the music and lyrics to this song, performed by SMAP. It was released on their album “GIFT of SMAP.”
自由へ道連れ Jiyuu e Michidzure / Fellow Travelers Towards Freedom
Translator: Sarah/frecklegirl
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Song info: Download-only (via iTunes Japan) single.
Info: TBS channel “Ataru” drama theme song, specially commissioned of Ringo to write for that purpose.
三十二歳の別れ Sanjuunisai no Wakare / Breakup at 32
Translator: Sarah/frecklegirl
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Song info: A previously unreleased song included with the Tokyo Collection (original Japanese: 東京コレクション) album of highlights from past live shows. This song was recorded during the “Discovery” tour, on December 7, 2012 at Tokyo International Forum A.
Color Bars
Info: The title refers to the television test pattern (in other words, no programming/off the air; this was Tokyo Jihen’s last album and first mini-album). Each of the five members contributed one song, lyrics and music.
Officially translated interview and liner notes.
ほんとのところ Honto no Tokoro / In Actuality
Translator: Sarah/frecklegirl
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ｓａ＿ｉ＿ｔａ / It Bloomed
Translator: Sarah/frecklegirl
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タイムカプセル Time Capsule
Translator: Sarah/frecklegirl
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怪ホラーダスト Kai-horrordust / Mysterious Horror Dust
Translator: Sarah/frecklegirl
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今夜はから騒ぎ Konya wa Karasawagi / Much Ado About Nothing Tonight
Translator: Sarah/frecklegirl
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Translation notes: [1] The Akasaka Prince Hotel (renamed The Grand Prince Hotel Akasaka in 2007) began life in 1930 as the Kitashirakawa Palace, built to be the residence of Yi Un, the last crown prince of Korea. Its location is the Kioichō neighborhood of Tokyo, which took its name from three feudal-era clans with homes there; one home became the site for the palace and later the hotel. It opened as a hotel in 1955 and the modern tower next to the original palace was built in 1982. It was often used by Japanese politicians for meetings and press conferences because it was close to the National Diet buildings. It closed for demolition in March 2011, but after the Great East Japan Earthquake, it housed evacuees from Fukushima prefecture until June 2011.
[2] Tameike-Sannō is a Tokyo subway station, a little over half a mile away from the hotel above, and its Exit 8 deposits passengers so close to the National Diet buildings that policemen heavily patrol the exit, as seen in this photo. Toshiba EMI (Ringo’s record label) used to be located in that area as
well (the song named “Karisome Otome (Tameikesannoh ver.)” was a reference to that).
{Translator’s note: This is an announcement posted to Ringo’s official site.)
At this time it has been decided that Tokyo Jihen will disband.
We bring you statements from the members related to that matter.
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I thank all of those who enjoyed this frequency, this band.
Though it was a short time up until now, thank you so much.
Jihen will break up on this coming leap day, but our collected works will be forever immortal.
Turn on the power when we die,
resurrect us with your playback equipment.
This is farewell!
Ringo Shiina
Already six years have passed since I joined, it went by in a flash.
I am grateful that I could participate in this miraculous music catalogue. When I get used to my new self, I’ll want to make music together again. They are my precious friends that ran through the same time with me.
To those who supported us until now, I thank you from the heart.
In reality, you’ve saved us many times over. Thank you very much.
May the work Tokyo Jihen has built up touch all of you deeply going forward too.
I’ll see you again somewhere.
Goodbye. Thank you.
Ichiyou Izawa
Now we’re trying to end the days when the five of us made the sky ring, the days that we ran through at an all-time high.
I’ve packed the love that fills my heart as a musician and as a person into a time capsule called “Tokyo Jihen.” I vow that with our smiles, only one unfaltering sound will continue to ring out until the time when the curtain falls on our last live performance.
So, hoping for the time to come someday to open the door to this time capsule again…
Thank you very much for these seven years!
Seiji Kameda
It’s rare for five adults altogether to get along so well.
And yet even saying it’s ending like that is not really the case, is it?
I’m very grateful to the four of them for always being so nice.
I’m singing my own praises, but I think Tokyo Jihen made really cool music.
So I also think everyone who listened to that and came to see us were the coolest fans.
Thank you very much.
Toshiki Hata
Joining and disbanding always came suddenly with Tokyo Jihen.
When I think about it, I decided to join Tokyo Jihen the day before recording the album “Adult.”
It was fun.
Thank you so much!
Bye!
Ukigumo
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Original Japanese here.
Translation © Sarah/Frecklegirl 2012-onward
青春の瞬き Seishun no Matataki / The Twinkling of Youth
Translator: Sarah/frecklegirl
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Song info: Ringo produced, arranged, and wrote the music and lyrics to this song, sung by Chiaki Kuriyama and performed by Tokyo Jihen. It was released on her Tsukiyo no Shouzou single (original Japanese: 月夜の肖像).
月夜の肖像 Tsukiyo no Shouzou / Portrait of a Moonlit Night
Translator: Sarah/frecklegirl
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Song info: Ringo produced, arranged, and wrote the music and lyrics to this song, sung by Chiaki Kuriyama and performed by Tokyo Jihen. It was released on her Tsukiyo no Shouzou single (original Japanese: 月夜の肖像).
