I don’t really post Japanese songs these days.. but boy am I glad to see a new video from Speed. It’s called Little Dancer リトルダンサー.
I was supposedly going to post a song from Perfume, but I think I have to post this. I am not sure if this is a new single, but the video was just uploaded today.
Who is Speed? They are a Jpop dance group who have been in the industry for maybe almost 10 years (or maybe more). I actually didn’t know about them before, I was a Perfume fan. But a friend introduced me to them, and I’ve been listening to their songs ever since — even the old ones.
The Japanese music industries, like Korea also has a lot of girl groups and boy bands. And most often than not, the girls and boys start out really young. And the thing I love about Speed is that they regrouped and they are still able to make their songs popular even after a lot of younger groups are being introduced. That’s what I love about the Japanese industry, because their boy bands and girl groups lasts for a long time — like SMAP or Arashi.
Anyway, I can’t wait for more of their songs. I know someone is gonna be so excited to see this video! kk
I don’t know why, but suddenly these days I am having a penchant for talking about and researching fashion. I guess a presentation my student gave me about Korean fashion made me suddenly interested in it.
Now as I was browsing through an old magazine (I say old even though it was just a magazine last year), I saw a collection that really caught my eye, because of it’s chic attempt at a very traditional kind of clothing. And I am talking about the dresses of Naoko Tsuruta‘s Kimono Chic fashion.
That’s here beside the model. Look at that design. And look at her dress, a modern take on the kimono! Love!
In her website, it says that she started out as a jewelry designer and eventually made on to designing dresses. I absolutely love the fact that she the traditional kimono — which by the way in reality is a very difficult ensemble to wear — and transformed it into something chic and modern that any girl can wear. I am a big fan of flowy dresses (though I’m not sure if it looks good on me), and her design has really really gotten my applause!
Check out her other clothes:
I could wear her clothes! She doesn’t have a new collection out yet (or so I think). But I am definitely wanting more of her style and will be watching out for more of her designs.
**credits: www.naokotsuruta.com + Victor Fraile/Getty Images AsiaPac + as tagged (I don’t own any of the images here)
Kya! I miss this song! And I remember this was the first Japanese song that I really liked. And since then I have been a fan of the Japanese pop/dance genre.
Sweet Soul Reveu is a very old song, some time around 1993 or 1994. It’s sung by a Japanese pop group called Pizzicato Five. They are very popular to audiences from the West.
I miss hearing “A New Stereophonic Sound Spectacular” in their songs! I was still a kid back then but this song really ruled for me!! And I didn’t even know the meaning of the words!!! It just sounded good to an elementary school kid! I could not find any Kanji for the song!!! But the Romanized words are there.. I so miss Pizzicato Five!!
Sweet Soul Reveu (Romanized)
Kesa hajimete
Kagami wo mite
Ki ga tsuita no
Anata ni koi shiteru no
Anata ni koi shiteru no
Omekashi shite
Doko e yuku no?
So anata ni
Ai ni yuku no yo
Baby machi wa itsumo parade
Baby dakara tsuite iko yo
Yo no naka ni wa
Sweet ya
Catchy ga ippai aru yo ne
Dakishimetai
Ureshikute
Hoho hozuri shitakunaru desho
Hora revue ga hajimaru
Hora okurenaide ne
Hora revue ga hajimaru
Hora wasurenaide ne
Tabun kyo wa
Watashi wo mite
Ki ga tsuku hazu
Anata mo koi shiterutte
Watashi ni koi shiterutte
Terebi de mita
Furui eiga
Musical no
Revue mitai ne
Baby machi wa itsumo parade
Baby hora ne kikoeru desho
Yo no naka ni wa
Happy ya
Lucky ga ippai aru yo ne
Kuchizuketai
Ureshikute
Hoho hozuri
Shitakunaru desho
Hora revue ga hajimaru
Hora okurenaide ne
Hora revue ga hajimaru
Hora wasurenaide ne
Yo no naka ni wa
Sweet ya
Catchy ga
Ippai aru hazu
Kami-sama
Parade ni
Ame nante furasenaide
Yo no naka ni
Happy mo
Lucky mo
Zenzen nakutemo
Anata to nara
Ureshikute
Hoho hozuri shitakunaru desho
Hozuri shitakunaru desho
Hora revue ga hajimaru
Hora okurenaide ne
Hora revue ga hajimaru
Hora wasurenaide ne
Sweet Soul Reveu (Translation)
I didn’t notice till I looked
In the mirror
This morning
I’m falling in love with you
I’m falling in love with you
Where am I going
Dressing up?
Yes, I’m going
To see you
Baby, this town is always a parade
Baby, so I am following
In this world
There are a lot of sweet
And catchy things
Wanna hug
Wanna be happy
Don’t you want to hold them close?
Hey, the revue is starting
Hey, don’t be late
Hey, the revue is starting
Hey, don’t forget
Perhaps you noticed
When you
Looked at me today
You’re fallin’ in love
Fallin’ in love with me
On tv I saw
And old movie
It was like
A musical revue
Baby, the town is always a parade
Baby listen! don’t you hear it?
In this world
There a lot of happy
And lucky things
Wanna kiss
Wanna be glad
Don’t you want to hold them close?
Don’t you want to hold them close?
Hey, the revue is starting
Hey, don’t be late
Hey, the revue is starting
Hey, don’t forget
In this world
There are a lot of
Sweet
And catchy things
Oh lord,
Don’t rain
On my parade
But even if there is no
Happy
Or lucky things at all
In this world
You make me
So happy
Don’t you wanna hold them close?
Don’t you wanna hold them close?
Hey, the revue is starting
Hey, don’t be late
Hey, the revue is starting
Hey, don’t forget
**credits: P5Maniax@yt + sound of music ln, ted mills + as tagged
I first knew about Lolita girls when I saw Japanese movie called Kamikaze Girls. I was in university then, and there was a Japanese Film Festival. And thanks to that film, it opened my eyes to a different kind of fashion — very different because it’s not common especially where i live.
What is Lolita?
As shone above, a Lolita is a Japanese street fashion inspired primarily by the clothing and general aesthetics of the Rococo and Victorian periods.The Lolita look is primarily one of modesty with a focus on quality in both material and manufacture of garments. The silhouette is of a knee length skirt or dress with a ‘cupcake’ shape assisted by petticoats. Blouses, knee high socks or stockings and headdresses are also worn.
This style is very evident in Japan. If you watch anime videos, you would most likely notice a woman wearing heavy laced clothing, looking cutesy and all. This style has since spread all over the world especially during cosplays. It’s one of the concepts most often used by Japanese otakus when they do cosplay.
There isn’t only one kind of Lolita, there are several kinds.
The Gothic Lolita – black is usually the theme
The Sweet Lolita – usually in pink or pastel colors
The Classic Lolita – classic 1800’s fashion inspired outfits, usually in darker colors
The Wa Lolita – uses traditional Japanese design, but with a twist of frills and lace
I think this fashion cute, however, I am not sure if I want to don this costume, much less go out in the park to play with my friends. I prefer to wear comfortable clothes, thank you.. But if I go to a cosplay party or to a masked ball, I think I would want a Wa Lolita dress. It’s design is old but it’s something I would wear.
But if I go to Japan, I would love to pose with these Lolita girls! I think this fashion is very unique and you need to have the guts to go out and show everyone you can carry this sort of fashion.
