Chara earned her nickname as a schoolchild from her teacher (charachara means "scatterbrained") and has been called such ever since. She has always been musically involved, she began composing music in her later years of elementary school and played keyboard in a band from her second year of high school.
One of the things that defines Chara's music is her singing voice. It is often described as sweet and whispering like a child's, yet forceful and sincere. Despite her very distinctive singing voice, Chara considers herself a musician first and foremost; proficient with instruments such as the piano, drums, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, synthesizer and tambourine. There are common themes to a lot of her music, including motherhood, innocence, love, beauty, and cheerfulness.
She has appeared as one of the main characters in 'Swallowtail Butterfly' movie and sang all the songs. The album 'Montage' is actually a vocal collection from this movie, that's why it was released under the name of Yen Town Band - which is a fictional band from the story. She has also starred in 'PiCNiC' where she played the mental patient Coco. She would go on to marry her co-star Asano Tadanobu (浅野忠信) in 1995. Currently, the pair have two children, a daughter Sumire (born 1995) and later a son Himi (born 1999).
taisetsu wo kizuku mono
Chara Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
utau koto. ikiru no yo
mirai ni nani wo tsumetai?
taisetsu wo kizuku mono
sou iu imi janai kamo
ima hitsuyou janai mono ga
katte ni katachi tsukutte
ittai dare nandaka sono shoutai wa
kare nandaka mou yakamashii
"majime ni ikinasai" tte mama ga itta no
demo kowai kao shite naktta desho?
kitto sou iu imi janai no yo
anata no shinjiteru mono wo shinjiteru
furubita kasetto te-pu ni wa
daiji na uta ga haitteita
itsumo tatakatteru nani wo taisetsu ni sureba ii no?
wakaranakunattara sore wo kokoro ni
kurikaeshitekiite
sono imi wo kanjiru toki ga kuru kashira?
kurikaeshitekiite
sono imi wo kanjiru toki ga kuru kashira
nokosu mono wa koe dake kashira
tada no moji nandaka soba ni iteageru kara
anata ni nani wo tsugetai?
utau koto. ikiru no yo
mirai ni nani wo tsumetai?
taisetsu wo kizuku mono
daredemo itsuka wa iku tokoro
isoganaide ne dakishimete
anata ni nani wo tsugetai?
utau koto. ikiru no yo
mirai ni nani wo tsumetai?
taisetsu wo kizuku mono
itsumo taisetsu wo itsumo oikaketeru no
makenaiwa
kowareteku dakishimeru kara
tsumetai koto te wo...
The lyrics of Chara's song "Taisetsu Wo Kizuku Mono" are a lot about taking the time to appreciate the things that are important in life. The opening questions, "anata ni nani wo tsugetai?" ("what do I want to tell you?") and "mirai ni nani wo tsumetai?" ("what do I want to grasp in the future?"), imply a sense of urgency to communicate things of importance to the listener. Chara then tells us that what she wants to share is her singing, which she believes is the expression of her life.
The song suggests that everything we do in life, every moment and every interaction, is of value. Even things that seem insignificant or unimportant have the potential to shape our experiences and impact us in meaningful ways. Chara sings that we should cherish every experience and approach our lives with seriousness and intentionality. She encourages us not to waste time, but to strive towards living a life full of meaning and purpose.
Line by Line Meaning
anata ni nani wo tsugetai?
What do you want to know from me?
utau koto. ikiru no yo
I sing to keep myself alive
mirai ni nani wo tsumetai?
What do you want to achieve in the future?
taisetsu wo kizuku mono
To recognize the importance of things
sou iu imi janai kamo
Maybe it doesn't mean that
ima hitsuyou janai mono ga
What is not needed at the moment
katte ni katachi tsukutte
Creating a shape at will
kesenakunatte sono sonzai wo shuchou shihajimete
Beginning to take control of that existence that cannot be erased
ittai dare nandaka sono shoutai wa
Who or what exactly is that identity
kare nandaka mou yakamashii
It's annoying to keep pondering on that
"majime ni ikinasai" tte mama ga itta no
"Live your life seriously", that's what they told me
demo kowai kao shite naktta desho?
But I think I cried looking scared, right?
kitto sou iu imi janai no yo
Surely, it doesn't mean that, right?
anata no shinjiteru mono wo shinjiteru
Believing in what you believe in
furubita kasetto te-pu ni wa
In that old cassette tape
daiji na uta ga haitteita
An important song was recorded
itsumo tatakatteru nani wo taisetsu ni sureba ii no?
What should I value while fighting always?
wakaranakunattara sore wo kokoro ni kurikaeshitekiite
If you don't understand, try repeating it in your heart
sono imi wo kanjiru toki ga kuru kashira?
Will the time come when you feel its meaning?
nokosu mono wa koe dake kashira
The only thing left is a voice
tada no moji nandaka soba ni iteageru kara
Because ordinary words somehow seem comforting
daredemo itsuka wa iku tokoro
Everyone will eventually go somewhere
isoganaide ne dakishimete
Don't rush and just hold me
itsumo taisetsu wo itsumo oikaketeru no
Always chasing after what's important
makenaiwa
I won't lose
kowareteku dakishimeru kara
Because I'll embrace you as you break apart
tsumetai koto te wo...
My cold hands...
Contributed by Levi T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.