Nostalgic Lavender// Extras

[rie fu] 6/13/09 Blog Entry

noreply@blogger.com (sarah) — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 07:33:00 +0000

Yosui Inoue-san's Tour @ Kanazawa

Kanazawa Station was imposing in its blend of Japanese and Western styles.

I was spellbound by the tone colors, like a long-awaited soft futon quilt, of Yosui-san's band!

Because today was Mayumix's day off from work, it was the first time we combined the two of us and Ghana chocolate.

After the live, I was super happy to get to have Mr. Blackthroat Sea Perch [nodoguro] after so long!

Nowww, Sunday this weekend will be a live show as Rie fu, after so long, at Daikanyama Loop.

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Original Japanese entry here.
Translation © Sarah/Frecklegirl 2009-onward

[rie fu] 6/12/09 Blog Entry

noreply@blogger.com (sarah) — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 06:56:00 +0000

Delo Final Tour Stop

Nagoya was the final stop of our 4-part tour!

The final stop, yeah!
I forgot to take a picture of it!
You could say that's fitting for Delofamilia, huh.

A sense of a naturally carefree atmosphere... is what each of the shining band members with their crazy tastes were feigning. I think happily of being able to sing in the midst of such an ambiance.

Someday I'd like to do this again as this band.

Thanks so much to those of you who came to see us!

Tomorrow is the long-awaited Yosui-san's live show in Kanazawa.

By the way, the picture is of the pamphlets from the Nagoya/Boston Museum of Fine Arts' Gauguin & Noritake exhibitions that I went to by myself before the live show. Both were great.

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Original Japanese entry here.
Translation © Sarah/Frecklegirl 2009-onward

[rie fu] 6/11/09 Blog Entry

noreply@blogger.com (sarah) — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 05:40:00 +0000

Delo[familia] Tokyo & Osaka

With performances in Tokyo & Osaka, each time the number of Delo live shows adds up we've gotten steadily better.
Before you know it tomorrow will be the final tour stop @ Nagoya ell.fits.all.
If you're in the area, please come see us!

After the Daikanyama Unit live show~

After the Osaka Umeda Shangri-la live show~

Today was the Kyoto/Shiga Rie fu marketing campaign. In Kyoto for lunch I had wheat starch cuisine at a place decorated like some rich granny's house. Wheat starch, like springy strong-flavored tofu. Plus there were lots of deep-fried things covered in miso... it was elegantly delicious.

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Original Japanese entry here.
Translation © Sarah/Frecklegirl 2009-onward

[rie fu] 6/7/09 Blog Entry

noreply@blogger.com (sarah) — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 02:03:00 +0000

I've come home to Tokyo

Tokyo, it's been a while...
It's a cleaning & laundry Sunday.

I like cleaning so much you could call it my hobby.
On top of really getting out dirt, since this cleaning cream also does a fluorine treatment, it's really useful in the bathroom and stuff. I found it at [Tokyu] Hands. The handmade-looking packaging is great, huh?

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Original Japanese entry here.
Translation © Sarah/Frecklegirl 2009-onward

[bonnie pink] 5/26/09 Diary Entry

noreply@blogger.com (sarah) — Tue, 26 May 2009 05:00:00 +0000

In addition to the release of the "ONE" album, I've come to visit Osaka, Kyoto, Nagoya, Fukuoka, and Sapporo for the promotional campaign. With the cold I've had for a long time finally calming, although a chronic cough still inhabits my bronchial tubes, for the present I don't have a runny nose. And my feverishness has also disappeared... what a relief.
While saying that, since we need to be careful about the new strains of flu [swine flu], the precautions of a mask and gargling are a must.
Everyone be careful. By the way, while visiting here and there I'd thought for sure masks would be sold out, but Sapporo convenience stores still had some. There when you need it, huh...
I got a lot of energy from being able to be comforted by the TV and radio station mascots I met here and there, eating delicious things, getting recognized instantly by the fans at satellite studios and such, etc.
Thank you very much to everyone who came to visit and meet me.
And, I'm very impressed by your continued support for "ONE."

Unusually, I'm even listening to it on repeat, lol. Though it's an album, the reaction I heard while visiting around the nation is that "Mousou Lover," "Himitsu," and "Get on the Bus" are popular. But though there are also people who say "Fyewsha Fyewsha Fyewsha," I wonder if there are also lots of people who'd say for guys it's "Rock You Till the Dawn"...
My favorite lately is "Play & Pause."
I'm still waiting to hear your thoughts!

Oh, hey hey hey, do you know about Kyuuton*? [BONNIE PINK]

* A comedy group in Japan.

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Original Japanese entry here (under "[2009.05.26]").
Translation © Sarah/Frecklegirl 2009-onward

[bonnie pink] 5/15/08 Diary Entry

noreply@blogger.com (sarah) — Thu, 15 May 2008 05:00:00 +0000

I went with JUJU to the Ray-Ban party Chris Peppler-san invited me to. As I've been a fan of Ray-Ban's Wayfarer for a while, using Ray-Ban frames now each time I put on glasses, and yet I didn't really know much about all that stuff, Chris-san's invitation was.. right on target! Because I'd been secretly informed that there would be a surprise live where Anna Tsuchiya-chan would perform, I also wanted to come see that. There was a lot of excitement in the guests gathered by Anna-chan's powerful voice. She looked so cool! The truth is I don't really like parties (cries) but even so, in a space for rock at the Ebisu Liquid Room getting to see Kanou Shimai and Duke Saraie-san and thinking it would all never end, for all that I'm glad I went.. haha. As a souvenir I got cute stickers and some sunglasses! We were satisfied seeing the live and quickly made our way out and went somewhere else to finally do some serious drinking. I stayed out until dawn with JUJU. She's also a New York resident, so just talking with her makes you feel like you're drifting through New York--it's so strange. It made me want to go to New York again!!
[BONNIE PINK]

Extra: The sunglasses that have multiplied without my realizing it. Even though of course they might be the Ray-Ban I use every day...

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Original Japanese entry here (under "[2008.05.15]").
Translation © Sarah/Frecklegirl 2008-onward

[bonnie pink] 5/7/08 Diary Entry

noreply@blogger.com (sarah) — Wed, 07 May 2008 05:00:00 +0000

I came to bother Hirai Ken-chan at his Budoukan live.
'Am I the kind of stupid person who's always late?' I worried upon receiving a text saying 'Bonnie, hurry up, it's starting' just before I got there, but thank god I made it in time. It really was.. just starting. But, not just the start but the whole thing was a wonderful show. Sorry to keep saying again how good his songs are, but they are good.. (I said it anyway). And not just the songs, but Ken-chan can do all kinds of things!
(／ ∇＼) Eeee--that's the kind of show it was. I can't say any more about how it looked, but I really enjoyed myself. Ken-chan's backup dancers have up until now been in various places watching him, but this time they were playing the parts of what looked like splattered syrup from a sponge shortcake, completing a "Hirai Ken" tower, with the strawberry and sponge sections propping him up while he was singing--but anyway, it was really a very lovely cake they gave us. Lots of times I was moved to tears... I was tired after the show and the quite refreshing Ken-chan outshone me. I, Kaori K, had come in wearing a pendant, but is that the Ken-chan's K he became friends with? --is what I was plunged into (haha). Today was wonderful in getting to do all I'd wanted. The truth is Ken-chan debuted in the same year as me--ooooh, and I'm still not there yet! But, I'll keep going! [BONNIE PINK]

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Original Japanese entry here (under "[2008.05.07]").
Translation © Sarah/Frecklegirl 2008-onward

[bonnie pink] 4/25/08 Diary Entry

noreply@blogger.com (sarah) — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 05:00:00 +0000

When the Earth Day Concert at the Budokan ended, for a little while I felt completely exhausted, like a Bonnie Mountain. Thanks to everyone who came out. I became more aware that I should take a bit more of a closer look at my halfhearted eco life.
Today's pictures are some that were taken in San Francisco. I used to use a Contax T2 for taking pictures, but nowadays it's been a while... I like feeling like I'm taking them more than they're being taken.
It's a place of perpetually-hilly streets, trolleys, and a laid-back atmosphere that makes you feel like you want to draw a picture of it.
Long ago I loved to watch the American TV show "Party of Five" [Japanese title translated: "Under the San Francisco Sky" -trans] so I was thrilled to be truly treading that same ground for the first time. Also, as movies like "Sweet November" and "Serendipity" were also set in that lovely San Francisco scenery, I'd always thought of it as a place I absolutely had to visit someday. It's also important to leave Tokyo and feel absent-minded and relieved. [BONNIE PINK]

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Original Japanese entry here (under "[2008.04.25]").
Translation © Sarah/Frecklegirl 2008-onward

[bonnie pink] 4/17/08 Diary Entry

noreply@blogger.com (sarah) — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 05:00:00 +0000

Guess where I am !
I'm in San Francisco for Bandai Namco Game Show !

Everyone, thank you again this year for your warm happy-birthday messages!
I'm spending my birthday week in San Francisco. I'm in America for another 15 days, but lots of people wishing me a happy birthday makes me happy. And I get to continue it for one more day, making 2008's 'irregular' birthday a double one, which makes me happy.
The rays of the sun are really strong here, so although I brought a hat, I bought another one just like it.
Ultraviolet rays are scary, but it's convenient to be able to walk through the city. At what cost!
But the brightness is bad for me and soon makes my eyes water, so sunglasses are a must.
That's right, I have to put on sunglasses all the time! Normally I don't wear them, but as a last resort when I was getting my license, I had to go to an optician to get glasses made, and when they measured me it turns out I'm 0.2 in both eyes... (cries)
The truth is, at lives I can't see the audience's faces. And at those times, it's happened that because someone is waving their hands at me, I think they're an acquaintance of mine and wave back, but once I get closer I see that they're a fan. (laughs)

I took a few pictures to show everyone what the scenery is like.

Hey hey, who are you waiting for there? With such a sad face...
It'd be nice if I was the person you're waiting for. You look so lonely.
It was pretty hard to leave this place.
I hope his owner pets him a lot after this.

Painting on the wall of a school at Haight & Ashbury. So colorful it seemed to really POP!
I felt the freedom you give up and forget about when you grow up.

Aahh! Another waiting one! At dusk... (cries) But since he's a spoiled one, I'm sure he'll be fed a lot of tasty food so it's okay, but how boring, a life of nothing but waiting... "I'll howl away, to get some meat in me" is what I thought he'd whisper in my ear but since he was making a kind of uneasy facial expression, I reluctantly gave up on coercing him.

This crab making a heart silhouette that cuts into the sky is so cute! Its body being made out of flowers is even cuter. Pier 39 with its row of delicious seafood restaurants and shops is a sightseeing spot along San Francisco Bay.

From the deck looking out of the restaurant window, I thought there were a lot of brown sacks lying around but it was actually a legion of sea lions... (sweatdrop) Sorryyy! They're a landmark and I didn't know...

Last night we went out for a birthday dinner (for me) to a seafood restaurant. The people at the restaurant knew it was my birthday so they brought out cheesecake and sang happy birthday to me! I was so happy...
Because the man who was our waiter asked "So, you're turning 22?" I went ahead and said "You got it!" [BONNIE PINK]

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Original Japanese entry here (under "[2008.04.17]").
Translation © Sarah/Frecklegirl 2008-onward

[bonnie pink] 4/11/08 Diary Entry

noreply@blogger.com (sarah) — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 05:00:00 +0000

You doing well? It's already April. Today's rainy... ~April Shower~
By the way, a few days ago, I went somewhere in Shibuya to properly go and see the live of a friend, Tomoe Shinohara. There I encountered Miku & Alisa of Ya-Kyim. After she gave a great performance, I couldn't bring myself to go home as I was so as a way of cooling down, the four of us went to Starbucks for some tea. Tomoe-chan got excited about going to karaoke. Ya-Kyim also had been busy with recording company stuff and hadn't been doing fun stuff very often, so without even planning it we had a girls night out. I also have a live this month, so I have to work on my physical strength--nooo! Everyone come and see it. [BONNIE PINK]

Bonus: My latest favorite thing, a Banana-san cell phone strap. When I'm tired or not feeling very energetic I look at this strap and I sort of feel like I can keep going. I was shocked to come across it in a Daikanyama thrift store!

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Original Japanese entry here (under "[2008.04.11]").
Translation © Sarah/Frecklegirl 2008-onward

[maaya] 11/22/07 Journal Entry

noreply@blogger.com (sarah) — Thu, 22 Nov 2007 06:00:00 +0000

The Last Fruit

I do nothing but search.

It’s probably not just me but everyone.
For reasons, for causes, for plans, for truth.
We’re always, always searching and wanting to know.

In seeking out that knowledge, it’s not easy, but rather tiresome, so we soon think that we want to forget all about it. And yet, I know that throughout our lives we can never escape that desire called “I want to know.”

Moreover, the truth is we don’t really think about being able to find it someday. We plan to find it, but soon enough we lose sight. And this happens over and over. Somehow or other we resign ourselves to having that kind of unending game of chase throughout our lives.

We keep getting closer to answers while gathering hints that have been dropped here and here. And yet, it’s never just kind touches. Getting hurt a lot, breaking down, one by one we tire of it all. Because we get a little sulky, we chase after it again.

Despite all that, we want to know – “loving,” “living on,” what kinds of things are those after all?
Though we know that no matter how far we go we’re alone for eternity, what is it with these feelings of thinking we want to be with someone?
What’s the difference between a perpetually-constant eternity and a moment that continues to change?

Maybe it’s even that the answer is different from the shape of what I wished for, and is just trying to listen with an open ear.
When I murmur “Tell me” from the bottom of my heart, I feel like the world seems to simply nod its head without saying anything.

*maaya*

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Le Dernier Fruit

Moi, je ne fais que chercher.

C’est probable que c’est pas seulement moi mais tout le monde qui fait ça.
À la recherche de raisons, de causes, de dispositifs, de la vérité.
On cherche toujours, désirant savoir.

Être à la recherche, c’est pas reposant mais plutôt fatigant, donc on croit déjà qu’on voudrait oublier complètement tout cela. Néanmoins, on sait que toute la vie on ne peut jamais s’échapper ce souhait nommé « je désire savoir ».

De plus, l’idée de le trouver un jour – en fait on ne pense trop en ça. On a l’intention de le trouver, mais aussitôt on perd de vue encore. Et il répète de plus en plus souvent. Sans savoir pourquoi, on se résigne d’être en compagnie avec ce type de jeu de loup sans fin toute la vie.

On continue d’approcher en rassemblent les indications qui ont tombé çà et là. Néanmoins, c’est pas toujours ne que des choses qui touchent doucement. On a un verre de blessures, on se soit foulé – un par un, on devient fatigué. À cause de devenir un peu boudeur, on commence le jeu de nouveau.

Malgré cela je désire savoir : « aimer », « vivre », ceux-là sont quel genre de chose finalement ?
Je sais que je serai seul pour éternité, peu importe jusqu’où je vais, mais qu’est-ce que c’est ces sentiments de désirer être avec quelqu’un ?
Quelle est la différence entre une éternité qui est constant pour toujours et un instant qui continue à changer ?

C’est possible que la réponse soit différente que la forme que je souhaitais, mais plutôt essayer d’écouter avec des intentions d’attraper.
Quand je marmonne « Enseigne-moi » du fond de mon cœur, j’ai le sens que le monde a l’air d’acquiescer tout bonnement, sans dire rien.

*maaya*

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Original Japanese entry here (under 'the id' dropdown list, Back Number '2007.11').
Translations © Sarah/Frecklegirl 2007-onward

[ringo] Oct. 2006 Ringohan Newsletter Interview

noreply@blogger.com (sarah) — Sun, 01 Oct 2006 05:00:00 +0000

How are all the members getting along?
This is the monthly report for October 2006, Kougyoku [Ruby] reporting.

Fall has been intensifying. With all the rain, summer seems to get farther away. Already almost a month before, the live DVD “Just Can’t Help It.” was put on sale September 6, and I think everyone’s fears were relieved. So, since then. At present we regrettably cannot show you what Shiina Ringo and Tokyo Jihen are primarily doing this fall. However, after remaining in obscurity we will certainly be waiting to break out. Right now every one of us is waiting.

In this month’s report from Kougyoku, we have an interview feature, a mini-interview with Ms. Ringo, which we do periodically. This time it is an interview in which we asked many things, such as about fall 2007’s condition, about what Ms. Ringo’s status is at the moment. We also included Hata Toshiki in the interview. Since his bone fracture, he has devoted himself to getting better, so we inquired how much he has recovered, and how he got on with life. This is an important interview with both parties.
All right, this has been this month’s issue of the monthly report, Kougyoku. Please enjoy it at your leisure.

Also, Junkankei Nakayoshi [Circulatory System Friends] Goods 2007 has received a lot of orders, for which we truly thank you. The merchandise will be sent out during December, so please wait a little.

---
“Interview Feature Part One, Hata Toshiki”

First of all, Hata’s interview, in which we cover Hata’s medical treatment up until now and the worry of his fans over his present condition. Please have a look at it.

Q: To start off, I think I want to hear about your physical condition. How have you been lately?

My condition isn’t really very good, but I’m relieved that I haven’t been bothering anyone lately. (It seems he has a slight cold lately. –Ringohan ed.)

Q: It seems you were hospitalized; we were able to read about the good and bad things you experienced during that time in “Column: Ko-panda [Panda Offspring].” Were there a lot of troubles there?

Well, I’m not the complaining type, but it was hard to have nothing but things I didn’t understand. I left the hospital still not understanding a thing.

Q: If you were to say something personal in addition to your feelings about your hospitalization period: the comic relief of the DVD was up to you, Hata-san. Did that lift your spirits a bit?

It was hard being in the hospital and putting up with people laughing and crying. I’m glad I could give that to so many people on the DVD.

Q: Now then, since you unfortunately could not perform at July’s “Society of the Citizens Vol.1,” how did you feel about that?

(Watching the live) It was a lot of fun.

For the Gesellschaft [Society] Calendar photographing, you met up with the other Tokyo Jihen members after a long time. How did you feel about that?

It was really just like old times.

Q: And, as December’s rock-fest “Countdown Japan 06/07” will mark your return into Tokyo Jihen and uphold your pride, tell me about your enthusiasm towards that.

It still doesn’t feel like we’re really working, just having fun. I’ll do my best.

Q: Finally, do you have any words for all your worried fans?

I’m really so sorry. I’ll keep doing my best, so please allow me to do so.

[Interview Postscript]
He wants to continue to slowly and properly recover. It seems his hand is doing well. There’s nothing else for us to do but calmly await Hata Toshiki’s complete restoration.

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[Interview Feature Part 2, Ms. Ringo]

Now, we continue with the well-known Shiina Ringo’s mini-interview “Hikensha no Heya [Test Subject’s Room].” Ms. Ringo has been secluding herself in the proverbial Gate of the Celestial Rock Cave* to work on her creations. Whatever can she be producing? This is a situation that is not as it seems to her loyal fans. So this time, we challenged Ms. Ringo, right in front of us, on the theme of what she has been doing this fall. Indeed, she says a lot of important things. The different categories of questions are easy to understand. Please be satisfied by this episode full of implications.

* Reference to Japanese mythology. The Sun Goddess Amaterasu-omikami hid herself away in the Gate of the Celestial Rock Cave, causing Amanouzume-no-mikoto to perform a dance to lure her out. –trans.

Shiina Ringo Mini-Interview “Hikensha no Heya [Test Subject’s Room]”

Shiina Ringo, talking about what she has been doing this fall 2006

* about Junkankei Nakayoshi [Circulatory System Friends] Goods 2007
Q: For the Gesellschaft [Society] Calendar for Junkankei Nakayoshi Goods 2007, it appears you had to do some photography. How did you feel about having Tokyo Jihen all together after so long?

There wasn’t a lot of chit-chat among us, but we found out how Hata felt about his favorable post-op progress. I was happy.

Q: Now then, you’ll be using those photographs for the Gesellschaft [Society] Calender 2007, and I’ve heard rumors that it’s been finished extremely well. How do you think the 2007 edition looks?

The person in charge of marketing the goods, AD Manabu Mizuno (the goods design art director Manabu Mizuno-san –Ringohan ed.), with her gentle accuracy, has turned the course towards making this calendar even better than all the past ones.

Q: The Herrschaft Ballpoint Pen product is the 2007 edition of the floating pen. And this time, it seems your own figure will be floating from top to bottom inside it. How do you feel about that?

I’m incredibly embarrassed. It’s so silly. However, I’ll be happy if everyone receives it well. It seems like I always want to follow everyone’s wishes.

Q: For the Junkankei Nakayoshi [Circulatory System Friends] Goods, we’ve received a lot of orders from all your fans for 2007 as well. Addressing that subject, please say a few words about it.

Thank you again. How does this always happen? I wish to know your opinions if there are any inconveniences. Please continue to give me your favor...

* about everyday things
Q: Lately, is there something you’ve been devoting yourself to in your everyday life?

I have been devoting myself to something. That is to say, I have been devoting myself to devotion in something. At any rate, I seem to be glued to my computer nowadays.

Q: Have you seen any good movies or plays recently?

I saw Katagiri Jin-san and Kitarou-san (in the play “Dorobou Yakusha [Thief Actor]” –Ringohan ed.), I saw LaSalle Ishii-san and Toda Keiko-san. I’ve been going to the theater a lot. I also saw Taniyama Hiroko-san. All were wonderful.

Please give any messages you may have for other female performers out there nowadays.

I’m putting forth my support for Mineko Saitou, a dancer in the Shigehiro Ide-san organization Idevian Crew. Miss Mineko, your name suits you well [Mineko = sweet-voiced child –trans.]. You are a very beautiful person.

Q: Are there any topics in the comic genre you’ve been thinking about?

Nishida Masafumi-san, who worked on and directed “Dorobou Yakusha [Thief Actor],” really displayed his comical spirit there. That was a work in which he utilized Katakiri-san’s charm to the utmost while not depriving him of his dignity.

Q: Right now you have a supply of sweets which you keep munching on. They look like they taste quite good, what exactly are they?

(shares some) It’s leftover fried bean curd from making tofu made by “Tofu Studio, Ishikawa.” It’s my number-one favorite sweet. I had my first taste of this maker from Jihen’s manager Ms. R.

* about her work activity
Q: Nowadays, I’ve heard you’ve really been immersing yourself in your work activities, but what is really going on?

Because a friend asked me, I’ll show my woman’s heart and confess that I’m focusing on making new songs. I’m drowned in words and music again, destroying myself.

Q: Now, please give a few words full of hope to all of the members.

They say if bad things keep happening, then that will be a signal for you to await nothing but good things to come. I wonder if it’s true, I don’t know but I believe in it now. Good luck.

[Interview Postscript]
Oh my, this time we’re as full as a harvest festival befitting fall. Ms. Ringo’s replies about her current status were generally very generous – regarding her warm comments about Circulatory System sales, the plays shaking up her senses, her favorite sweets, and all the way up to what she’s really working on. We are able to spur on our dreams. They say fall has long nights, but I wonder if every night they’re not getting shorter.

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From original Japanese email sent out to members of the official Ringohan fan club.
Translation © Sarah/Frecklegirl 2006-onward