Kazuyoshi Nakamura is a Japanese singer-songwriter from Tokyo currently act… Read Full Bio ↴Kazuyoshi Nakamura is a Japanese singer-songwriter from Tokyo currently active in the guitar group 100s (Hyaku-Shiki).

As a young boy influenced by Gogh and Marc Chagall Nakamura's first interest was painting, though from the age of 15 he turned to music.

Until the end of High School Nakamura composed with English lyrics but with no success. After graduation he confined himself to his grandparent's home and began writing in Japanese. According to his own writings, Nakamura wished for success more than anything.

At the beginning of 1995 he managed to sign with the five-d music agency (ファイブ・ディー) , and in 1997 rleased his first single 「犬と猫」, 'Dog and Cat'. He was proclaimed at the time as a genius by the noted music critic Shibuya Youichi, someone with pop sensibilities that only appear 「10年に1人」"once in every ten years", and Nakamura gained high praise in many music magazines.

To continuing critical and commercial success Nakamura's first album 『金字塔』 'The Monumental' was released. His sound was considered Lo-Fi with links to Beck, and popularized to some extent the idea of 'Home Recording' in Japan at the time.

Continuing his release success, Nakamura;s sound became more 'Rock' and 'Dance'-like, though staying firmly in the territory of Pop, and to date he has released a total of four original solo albums, numerous singles and a best-of collection in 2003.

Originating from a back-up group he worked with for live events Nakamura is currently writing music as part of the six-member group 100s (Hyaku-Shiki). His first release in the group came in 2004 and their first album 'OZ' release in 2005. Their second album 'ALL!!!!!!' is set to come out in May 2007.

ここにいる
中村一義 Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

小さな灯り消して、
真っ暗にしてみる。
すると、解るよ。
「僕は、今、ここにいる」。
小さな灯り消すと、
みんな、何見える?
遠い先の自分が、ほら、
今日に手を振る。振る?

まだ、大きな無限大が、
みんなを待ってる。
闇を抜けると、そこは、
優雅な今日だ。
ただの平々凡々な日々に埋まる、
宝を探す僕が、今、ここにいる。
どうだっていいや。
カッコとか、そんなのは。
僕は、ただ、
変わるここで暮らすんだ。

小さな自慢消して、
みんな、何見える?
巨大な四本の矢を背に、
僕は真実を知る。知る?
まだ、大きな無限大が、
みんなを知ってる。
トンネルを抜けると、今日は、
解放記念日だ。
ただの平々坦々な生活に潜む、
敵を越え行くみんなが、
今、そこにいる。
見えないし、行けない。

けど、僕等、今、ここにいる。
ほら、ここにいる。

Overall Meaning

These lyrics are from the song "ここにいる" (Koko ni iru) by 中村一義 (Kazuyoshi Nakamura). The verses describe the act of turning off a small light and plunging into darkness, symbolizing a moment of introspection and self-realization. In that darkness, the singer understands and affirms, "I am here now." It reflects a sense of presence and awareness in the present moment.

The lyrics also touch upon the idea of looking beyond the mundane and ordinary daily life and searching for something valuable. The singer wonders what can be seen when the small lights of individual pride are extinguished. In the distance, the future self waves its hand to the present self, indicating the potential for growth and transformation.

There is a sense of anticipation for something greater, as the lyrics mention a vast infinity waiting for everyone beyond the darkness. Breaking through that darkness reveals an elegant and graceful present day. The singer emphasizes that they are living and changing in this moment, rejecting superficiality and focusing on the essence of existence.

Overall, the lyrics of "ここにいる" convey a message of self-awareness, the search for significance amidst ordinary life, and the importance of living authentically and being present in the here and now.

Line by Line Meaning

小さな灯り消して、
Dimming the small lights,

真っ暗にしてみる。
Trying to make it pitch black.

すると、解るよ。
Then you'll understand.

「僕は、今、ここにいる」。
"I am here, right now."

小さな灯り消すと、
When the small lights are extinguished,

みんな、何見える?
What can everyone see?

遠い先の自分が、ほら、
Look, the future self in the distance

今日に手を振る。振る?
Waving his hand towards today. Waving?

まだ、大きな無限大が、
Still, the vast infinity

みんなを待ってる。
is waiting for everyone.

闇を抜けると、そこは、
When you pass through the darkness, there,