The duo consists of Arika Takarano (real name: Ari Hironaga, born 28th September 1963 in Kumamoto, Japan, vocals & lyrics) and Mikiya Katakura (born 1st August in Obihiro, Hokkaido, Japan, music).
Never listed as official members, but always mentioned in the albums' booklets, violinists Yu Sugino and Tuyoshi Watanabe are a vital part of this duo.
Katakura met Takarano in 1985 when he just graduated from music school and was looking for a singer. As ARI PUROJEKKUTO, they released their first song Sakura no Hana ha Kuruizaki on a compilation CD named Rebel Street IV ~Some Girls one year later. Their first album Gensou Teien was released in 1988.
However, they made their major debut in 1992 as ALI PROJECT.
In the late 90s, they decided to shift their artistry to a much darker direction which Takarano referred to as a switch from Shiro Ari to Kuro Ari, they stick to the Kuro Ari concept ever since.
ALI PROJECT makes music regularly to this date which is generally highly influenced by Classical music, yet Katakura's love for experimenting is obvious. He makes heavy use of synthesizers and likes to intergrate key elements from other, often contemporary music styles and genres such as Rock, Metal, Hip Hop or even Drum 'n' Bass.
Their music's distinct sound is driven by a well-made mix of synthetic and organic, always complemented by Takarano's highly complex lyrics and clean vocals.
They developed a signature sound for Anime related work though.
愛と誠
ALI PROJECT Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
しれないと思えば
今という瞬間の
重みを知るだろう
散るは覚悟咲く花の
香に匂う強さに
千代に栄え都は
はばたけ大志よ
誰より高みへ
昇りつづけるため
爛漫の
愛と誠たずさえ
迎え討つ敵の数
まだ計りしれずとも
いつかは誉れの
空の色うつし
胸の唐獅子吠えるままに
男であってください
何も無いところから
生まれてきた恋が
刹那を
永い時に変える
この私があなたの
たどり着く場所ならば
ただ微笑みを湛え
ここで待っている
見せない涙で
私をくるんで
そっと濡らせばいい
清らけき
愛と誠ささげて
白い肌刻むのは
たった一人の名前
千年先まであなたを
愛すると誓う
夢の通い路
地の果てまで
大和撫子でいつまでも
女でいさせてください
千々乱れ桜吹雪
愛と誠のために
抜く刃はためかせ
信じる道行けばいい
千年先でもあなたに
出逢えればわかる
爛漫の
愛と誠たずさえ
迎え討つ敵の数
まだ計りしれずとも
いつかは誉れの
空の色うつし
胸の唐獅子吠えるままに
大和魂よ最後まで
男で生きてください
The lyrics of 愛と誠 by ALI PROJECT are a powerful ode to love and loyalty, calling to follow one's dreams in the fleeting present, and to face any opponent that comes our way. The opening lines set the tone for a bittersweet meditation on mortality, as we might never know when our time will come, and this awareness makes us appreciate the present moment's gravity. The themes of life and death are intertwined with references to the seasons, and specifically to the cherry blossoms and the changing colors of the sky. The lyrics encourage the listener to pursue their highest goals and to keep climbing to greater heights, for themselves and for those they love, even when the path may be difficult or uncertain.
The song also celebrates the stoicism and courage of the samurai ethos, connecting it with the idea of masculinity and the honor-bound code of conduct that carries over to modern Japan. The references to the kotobuki or the name of the singer add a personal touch to the narrative, making it more relatable and human. The lyrics also touch on the profound emotions of romantic love, portraying a couple bound by fate and eternity, who will love each other for a thousand years to come. Even in the face of unimaginable challenges, the lovers carry on, unfaltering in their loyalty and devotion.
Line by Line Meaning
命は明日枯れるかも
If you think that your life might end tomorrow, you will understand the weight of this moment.
散るは覚悟咲く花の香に匂う強さに
Falling is inevitable for flowers, but their strong fragrance in bloom is a sign of their strength.
千代に栄え都はあなたを迎えた
The city has prospered for a thousand years and welcomed you.
はばたけ大志よ 誰より高みへ 昇りつづけるため
Spread your great ambition and keep climbing higher than anyone else.
爛漫の四方の春 愛と誠たずさえ 迎え討つ敵の数 まだ計りしれずとも
In the magnificent spring, bring love and devotion and be prepared to face countless enemies.
いつかは誉れの酒杯 空の色うつし
Someday, a glass of honor will reflect the color of the sky.
胸の唐獅子吠えるままに 大和男子ならいつまでも 男であってください
With the spirit of the Karajishi in our heart, we must always be proud men of Yamato.
何も無いところから 生まれてきた恋が 刹那を運命という 永い時に変える
Love that is born from nothing can change a moment of fate into an eternal time.
この私があなたのたどり着く場所ならば ただ微笑みを湛え ここで待っている
If this is the place where you will find your way, I will be here with a gentle smile waiting for you.
見せない涙で 私をくるんで そっと濡らせばいい
If you gently wrap me in tears that you don't show, I will be comforted.
清らけき永久の春 愛と誠ささげて 白い肌刻むのは たった一人の名前
In the pure eternal spring, I offer love and devotion. The only name that is engraved on my white skin.
千年先まであなたを愛すると誓う
I vow to love you for a thousand years.
夢の通い路 地の果てまで 大和撫子でいつまでも 女でいさせてください
Allow me, a true Japanese woman, to be a woman forever on the road of dreams to the end of the earth.
千々乱れ桜吹雪 愛と誠のために 抜く刃はためかせ 信じる道行けばいい
If the sakura petals are scattered in chaos, let the sword of love and devotion ring out loud. Believe in your path and keep walking.
千年先でもあなたに出逢えればわかる
If I meet you again in a thousand years, I will know it's you.
胸の唐獅子吠えるままに 大和魂よ最後まで 男で生きてください
With the roar of the Karajishi in our hearts, let the spirit of Yamato guide us until the end. Please, live as a man.
Contributed by Colton W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
アンパン太郎
歌詞でございます
命は明日枯れるかもしれないと思えば
今という瞬間の重みを知るだろう
散るは覚悟咲く花の香に匂う強さに
千代に栄え都は あなたを迎えた
はばたけ大志よ誰より高みへ昇りつづけるため
爛漫の四方の春 愛と誠たずさえ
迎え討つ敵の数 まだ計りしれずとも
いつかは誉れの酒杯 空の色うつし
胸の唐獅子吠えるままに
大和男子ならいつまでも男であってください
何も無いところから生まれてきた恋が
刹那を運命という永い時に変える
この私があなたの辿り着く場所ならば
ただ微笑みを湛えここで待っている
見せない涙で私をくるんで そっと濡らせばいい
清らけき永久の春 愛と誠ささげて
白い肌刻むのは たった一人の名前
千年先まであなたを 愛すると誓う
夢の通い路地の果てまで
大和撫子でいつまでも女でいさせてください
千々乱れ桜吹雪 愛と誠のために
抜く刃はためかせ 信じる道行けばいい
千年先でもあなたに出逢えればわかる
爛漫の四方の春 愛と誠たずさえ
迎え討つ敵の数 まだ計りしれずとも
いつかは誉れの酒杯 空の色うつし
胸の唐獅子吠えるままに
大和魂よ最後まで男で生きてください
rug01 pinkish
故意なのか偶然なのか分からないが画質の悪さがいい味出してて好きだ
もちち
今でも大好きで、カラオケで歌うくらい愛しています！
アリカ様お美しい、お声が変わらない…
ROZ3N
ALI PROJECT's music is so beautiful!~
takafumi
懐かしい！！pop'nでこの曲めっちゃ好きで着メロにもしてた気がする
Fuu
同じ人いて嬉しい(*^^*)
mana non
この曲大好き！よくカラオケで歌ってました！
ちきょ
この曲が好きすぎてこの曲だけをポップンで練習してこの曲だけできるようになりました！
Dan Alv
Muchas gracias por compartir <3
なおたん
ファンサイトのランキングで、殿堂入りしましたね！この曲、アリプロの大和の中では1番好きです！
eririn0312
この曲大好きです！😍 アリカ様お美しい🥰✨