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Kazutoshi Matsuda posts pics from Okinawa’s New Year’s TV specials
Popular utasha (Okinawan folk singer) Kazutoshi “Kaazuu” Matsuda recently performed in two of Okinawa’s New Year’s TV specials: RBC’s “Kouhaku Uta-gassen” and OTV’s “Shinshun! Shimauta no Saiten.” Although both shows won’t air until January (RBC’s one on 1/2, OTV’s on 1/3), Kaazuu is sharing a few pics on his blog which gives us a preview…
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Cocco’s ‘Jugon no Mieru Oka’ links to Okinawa
Being a big fan of Cocco’s art and music, I was pleasantly surprised to hear the tun-tun-ten of a sanshin in her latest single “Jugon no Mieru Oka.” Although that alone is pretty cool in itself, Cocco goes on to sing (at 4:51) lyrics from “Ittaa Anmaa Maakaiga”, an Okinawan warabi uta (children’s song). While…
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They call him ‘jimihen’
Continuing their tradition of releasing a commemorative t-shirt with album releases from legendary utasha Seijin Noborikawa, Respect Record has the “Suikojizai” shirt available for purchase at record stores (like Takara Records on Kokusai) or online at their website. The album is set to be released on 1/16/08. (Via the Campus Record Staff Blog.)
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Lina (MAX) to release photobook ‘LINA SINGS’ on 12/22
Lina (30, of the J-pop group MAX) announced on her blog the upcoming 12/22 release of her solo photobook (shashinshuu) LINA SINGS. Her fellow band mate, Reina, has already released two photobooks the latest R-017 is from 2006. (Above image comes via Lina’s blog.)
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Yui, please be my girlfriend
According to an Oricon survey, ‘Koibito ni shitai hito’ (the person you want as your boy/girlfriend), uber-popular actress Yui Aragaki (Gakky) took the top spot in the ranking which also featured fellow Uchinanchu Yukie Nakama (#4) and Aya Ueto (#6). It’s no surprise to see her rank at the top because she’s definitely cute and…
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Singer Kozue Chinen posts kunkunshi of her song ‘Imenshori Iijima’
In a very cool move, Okinawa minyou singer Kozue Chinen posted kunkunshi (musical notation) of her composition “Imenshori Iijima” on her blog along with the lyrics which are a tribute to her hometown. “Imenshori” means welcome in Iijima (Iejima) dialect and she also links to a YouTube clip of her performing the song.
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Film: J-pop singer Beni Arashiro to make her big screen debut in 2008
With an upcoming single called “BIG BANG” picked as the theme song for TBS’ live American Football broadcast in March of next year, J-pop singer Beni Arashiro will be making her big screen debut in the movie “Bura Bura Ban Ban” based on a manga of the same name. The movie is set to begin…
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Blogs worth subscribing to from Vision Factory’s artists
Vision Factory, which manages artists like J-hip-pop queen Namie Amuro, has a listing of blogs (Namie is unfortunately not on the list) up on their site. The great thing is that a few of these blogs contain video clips (so they’re closer to vlogs). Below are a few of my faves: hiro (ex-SPEED) – ‘Constanze…
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Shopping: CDJapan has Coco d’Or 2 CD on clearance sale
CDJapan has a clearance sale just in time for X-mas shopping and you’ll find the second album from hiro’s (ex-SPEED) Coco d’Or project on sale at 40% off of its regular ¥3,800 price! The 2006-released clearance sale item is bundled with a bonus DVD (AVCD-16102) containing two music videos.
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Video: Nada Sou Sou around the world
In Japanese: Rimi Natsukawa’s hit version In Hawaiian: Kealiʻi Reichel’s beautiful “Ka Nohona Pili Kai” (iTunes Store link) In English: Hayley Westerna (available as a bonus track on the Japanese edition of the singer’s album “Treasure”)
Karakui 