Kaguyahime is Japanese folk group that formed in the 1970s. The group first… Read Full Bio ↴Kaguyahime is Japanese folk group that formed in the 1970s. The group first formed in 1970 under the name "Minami Taka to Kaguyahime" when Minami joined with Mori Shichiro and Oshima Sanpei. The group released their debut single, as first generation Kaguyahime, "Yoidore Kaguyahime" in 1970 along with one album and two more singles within the year. "Yoidore Kaguyahime" and the single after it broke the Top 100 on the Oricon charts at that time. They also became popular regulars on television and radio shows such like the show Zen Nigon Kayou Senshuuken.

Then in the later half of 1971, the group changed it's member roaster as Mori and Oshima quit the group and added Yamada and Ise. They released their first single together, "Seishun", in September 1991. They also released the Yoshida Takuro-produced album Hajimashite a year later, resulting in 50,000 copies sold.

Their major hit came two years later when "Kanadagawa" was released, selling over 16 million copies. Before the year was up, the group made their first appearance on the year-end special Kouhaku Uta Gassen. They also changed their name from Minami Taka to Kaguyahime to just plain Kaguyahime. However, it was bittersweet when the group broke up two years later in 1975 when they performed their last concert at Kyoritsu Women's University. Minami Kousetsu and Yamada Panda would continue with their own separate music careers while Ise Shozo took a hiatus after group's split.

The band would go on to reunite many times over the years. For example, they reformed in 1978 after the release of the album Kaguyahime Kyou and going on a small tour that including stops at Yokohama Stadium. The group also came back together from 1999 to 2001 with the release of the single "Seishun no Itami", a concert tour, and an appearance on the 1999 Kouhaku Uta Gassen.

ペテン師
かぐや姫 Lyrics

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その男は恋人と別れた
さよならの口づけをして
髪の毛をやさしくなぜていた
その時男は心のどこかで
赤い舌を出して笑った
そうさ男は自由をとりもどしたのさ
さうさ男は人生のペテン師だから
このいつわりもいつの日にか

ありふれた想い出にすりかえるのさ

その男は女房をもらった
人様もうらやむほどの
すばらしくきれいな女をね
けれども男は心のどこかで
寒い風が吹くのを知った
そうさ男は自由を手離しちまった
そうさ男は人生のペテン師だから
ひとりぼっちの幸せを
たいくつな毎日にすりかえたのさ

そうさ男は自由を手離しちまった
そうさ男は人生のペテン師だから

ひとりぼっちの幸せを
たいくつな毎日にすりかえたのさ

Overall Meaning

The song "Petenshi" by Kaguyahime tells the story of a man who is a con artist in his personal relationships. The first verse describes how he broke up with his lover and gave her a farewell kiss while secretly smiling to himself. He then gently brushed her hair as if he cared, but it was all just a facade. The man is aware of his skills in manipulating people and he revels in his newfound freedom after ending the relationship. He knows that one day, the memories of this deception will be replaced by ordinary memories.

Line by Line Meaning

その男は恋人と別れた
The man broke up with his lover.

さよならの口づけをして
He gave her a farewell kiss.

髪の毛をやさしくなぜていた
He gently stroked her hair.

その時男は心のどこかで
At that moment, the man deep down inside

赤い舌を出して笑った
stuck his tongue out and laughed.

そうさ男は自由をとりもどしたのさ
Yes, the man took back his freedom.

さうさ男は人生のペテン師だから
Because, you see, the man is a swindler in life.

このいつわりもいつの日にか
This deceit will eventually turn into a common memory.

ありふれた想い出にすりかえるのさ
It will be replaced by a mundane memory.

その男は女房をもらった
The man got married to a beautiful woman.

人様もうらやむほどの
One that people would envy.