In 1985 Tatsuya Ishii debuted as vocalist in the band Kome Kome Club (米米CLU… Read Full Bio ↴In 1985 Tatsuya Ishii debuted as vocalist in the band Kome Kome Club (米米CLUB). In 1992, their single Kimi ga Iru Dake de (君がいるだけで) won the Japanese record first prize. After Kome Kome Club's breakup in 1997, Tatsuya started his solo career. In addition to his musical career, Tatsuya was the spatial coordinator for the "Osaka HEP FIVE" commercial building, coordination producer for the "Suzuka 8 hour Endurance Races," the producer of "The Forest Fairy's Ball" for the Aichi World Fair, and recently the producer of "GROUND ANGEL in Hiroshima." He has held private exhibitions such as "Daydream Art Gallery" in 1997, and in 1999, "EXPO ISHII 1999 SHOW TEN." From 1993-1996 Tatsuya had three different art galleries and shops under the name "GALLERIA HATI," where his artworks could be viewed. During this time he made available to visitors many different items of jewelry, clothing, and even tableware for sale, all of which he designed himself.
Tatsuya also acts as a TV/radio personality. He currently has his own radio program on FM Yokohama 80MHz. As an industrial designer, he has managed many designs for PCs and accessories, tableware, etc. Every time an event, exhibition or concert is planned, art performances and live orchestras follow.

Tatsuya often produces the costumes and stages for his concerts and becomes very involved in his projects. He is a writer, and has published numerous books and essays. Tatsuya also had a monthly magazine publication that ran for two years called Gekkan Ishii WIDESHOW (月刊石井竜也 WIDESHOW). His most recent book about the Iraq War was in collaboration with writer Ryuichi Hirokawa (広河隆一) and came out in April 2004.

Alongside his many artistic talents, Tatsuya Ishii has also produced two films, ACRI ~The Legend of Homo-Aquarellius (1996) and Kappa (1994). In addition to producing ACRI, Tatsuya teamed up with artists Char and Ariga Nobuo to produce a soundtrack for the movie, under the band name ACRI. He has produced songs for many other singers as well.

As an artist, singer, writer, producer, radio personality, even architect, Tatsuya Ishii's numerous talents make him a unique multi-artist in Japan. His ability to utilize a number of styles, forms and materials gives him an interesting edge that never fails to amaze his fans.

夕焼け飛行船
石井竜也 Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

夕焼けの空に浮かぶ飛行船
あれは遠い思い出の景色か
金色に染まる輝きの雲を
通り抜けるように風に流れる
記憶の隅にまだ鮮やかに
時を超えた思い出の夢
人は過去の色を留められるのか
忘却の彼方へ流されてゆく

果てしなく時は大河のごとくに
何もかもかたちを削り取って
飛行船の窓から見える河の向こう
海へと続いて行く光の竜
太陽と月の間の夕陽は
何かが僕をさらってゆく
壊れそうなガラス細工の心よ

幼い頃に見た幻の夢
色はセピアにかわる飛行船

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to 石井竜也's song 夕焼け飛行船 (Evening Sunset Airship) speak of a distant memory and the passage of time. The first verse describes a scene of a flying airship against a backdrop of a sunset sky. It asks whether that airship represents a vivid memory from the past, as it glides through the golden, shining clouds. The lyrics ponder on whether we can hold onto the colors of the past or if they too are eventually swept away into the depths of forgetfulness.

The second verse extends the metaphor of time as an endless river, gradually eroding and shaping everything in its path. From the window of the airship, the lyrics depict a view of a river extending beyond, leading to the sea, where a dragon made of light flies. The twilight between the sun and the moon captivates the singer, as it takes him away, accompanied by the fragile heart that is reminiscent of delicate glasswork. It speaks of a dream seen in childhood, now distorted with sepia-toned colors.

Overall, the song reflects on the fleeting nature of memories and the passage of time, as represented by the imagery of the airship and the changing colors of the sky. It raises questions about the malleability and preservation of the past, and the wistful longing for the vivid dreams of youth.

Line by Line Meaning

夕焼けの空に浮かぶ飛行船
A hot air balloon floating in the evening sky

あれは遠い思い出の景色か
Is that a distant memory of a scenery?

金色に染まる輝きの雲を
The shining clouds dyed in golden color

通り抜けるように風に流れる
Flowing through the wind like passing through

記憶の隅にまだ鮮やかに
Still vividly in the corner of the memory

時を超えた思い出の夢
A dream of memories that goes beyond time

人は過去の色を留められるのか
Can people hold onto the colors of the past?

忘却の彼方へ流されてゆく
Being swept away to the realm of oblivion

果てしなく時は大河のごとくに
Endlessly, time flows like a great river

何もかもかたちを削り取って
Carving away everything to form

飛行船の窓から見える河の向こう
Beyond the river visible from the hot air balloon's window