Their debut single Blurry Eyes released in 1994 was used as the opening theme for the animated TV show DNA². In late 1996, L'Arc~en~Ciel gained worldwide attention for the first time after the release of their fourth album, True. This album includes the single the Fourth Avenue Cafe, which was used as an ending theme for the popular animated TV show Rurouni Kenshin. However, drummer sakura was arrested for drug possession and consequently all L'Arc~en~Ciel merchandise was removed from store shelves. The release of their single the Fourth Avenue Cafe was canceled and the song was immediately removed from the TV series.
sakura left the band in 1997, and former DIE IN CRIES drummer yukihiro replaced him for the REINCARNATION tour that year, subsequently serving as a support member for their first single after the incident, 虹 (Niji). Eventually, yukihiro officially joined the band and released the album HEART in 1998.
After the release of their eighth album REAL in 2000, L'Arc~en~Ciel went on a hiatus, releasing only compilation albums aside from their 2001 single, Spirit dreams inside -another dream-, the theme for the CG-animated Final Fantasy movie. During this time, each member engaged in solo projects: yukihiro with the band acid android, ken and former L'Arc~en~Ciel drummer sakura with SONS OF ALL PUSSYS, HYDE as a solo artist, and tetsu as TETSU69. On March 31st, 2004, L'Arc~en~Ciel released SMILE, their first album in four years.
On July 31st, 2004, L'Arc~en~Ciel performed their first concert in the United States at Otakon, a Japanese animation convention. They performed for an audience of more than 12,000 in Baltimore, Maryland.
They are best known outside of Japan for the song READY STEADY GO, which served as the second opening theme for the animated series Fullmetal Alchemist, and Link for the show's respective theatrical film. These songs earned them substantial Western popularity and attention to their album, SMILE, which was released in the United States by American label Tofu Records.
After more than a year since SMILE, the band released AWAKE on June 22nd, 2005, which was accompanied by ASIALIVE, L'Arc~en~Ciel's first tour to take them to South Korea and China, as well as the Japanese AWAKE tour.
The year 2006 marked the band's 15th anniversary since their debut. It was celebrated with the release of a box set of books titled L'Arc~en~Ciel BOX, re-releases of their first 15 singles along with the albums ark and ray, and the L'Anniversary live concerts held on November 25th and 26th. They also finally released the Fourth Avenue Cafe, the single canceled nearly 10 years prior, as part of their 15th anniversary celebrations.
The year 2007 saw increased activity for the band, with the release of four new singles, four DVD releases, the new album KISS, and the beginning of two back-to-back tours. The first was TOUR 2007-2008 THEATER OF KISS in Japan, followed by L'7 ～trans ASIA via PARIS～. The latter tour took them through Shanghai, Taiwan, Paris, Seoul, Hong Kong, and a return to Japan for shows in Tokyo and Osaka. At the end of this tour it was announced that the band would not tour again until their 20th anniversary in 2011. The band, however, says they're not on hiatus.
2008 saw the release of two new single from the band, DRINK IT DOWN released in April, and the double A-side NEXUS 4 / SHINE in August. Since then, HYDE has begun a new solo project with former OBLIVION DUST guitarist K.A.Z as VAMPS, with the release of a self-titled album and successful tours in Japan and the United States. With the legacy of 11 albums and 35 singles, L'Arc~en~Ciel continue to gather more and more fans throughout the world who eagerly await their return to renewed band activities.
Jyojyoshi
L'Arc~en~Ciel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Kono kimochi wa karenai hana no you ni yurameite
Kimi wo omou
Kanadeau kotoba wa kokochiyoi senritsu
Kimi ga soba ni iru dake de ii
Hohoenda hitomi wo nakusanai tame nara
Tatoe hoshi no matataki ga mienai yoru mo
Furisosogu komorebi no you ni kimi wo tsutsumu
Sore wa boku no tsuyoku kawaranu chikai
Yume nara yume no mama de kamawanai
Ai suru kagayaki ni afure asu e mukau yorokobi wa
Shinjitsu dakara
* The love to you is alive in me. wo- every day for love.
You are aside of me wo- every day.
Nokosarete kanashii kioku sae sotto
Kimi wa yawaragete kureru yo
Hashagu you ni natsuita yawarakana kaze ni fukarete
Nabiku azayaka na kimi ga boku wo ubau
Kisetsu wa iro wo kaete ikudo megurou to mo
Kono kimochi wa karenai hana no you ni
Yume nara yume no mama de kamawanai
Ai suru kagayaki ni afure mune wo someru
Itsumademo kimi wo omoi
* repeat
The lyrics of L'Arc~en~Ciel's song Jyojyoshi speak of a love that remains constant despite the changing seasons. The singer compares their feelings to an unfading flower that gently sways in the wind. The words they share with their beloved are like a beautiful melody that fills them with emotion, and they express that simply having their lover by their side is enough to make them happy. Even on nights where the stars are obscured, the singer is content to be wrapped in their lover's embrace.
The second verse continues with the theme of the seasons, describing how even the sad memories of the past become softer when the singer is with their lover. They are swept away by the warm breezes of summer, and their heart races at the sight of their bright and lively partner. The chorus repeats the idea that the singer's love for their partner will never falter, no matter how much time passes. It fills their heart with a radiant light that they will cherish forever.
Overall, Jyojyoshi is a testament to the power of enduring love. No matter what obstacles may arise, the singer's devotion to their beloved remains unwavering, like a steadfast flower that continues to bloom.
Line by Line Meaning
Kisetsu wa iro wo kaete ikudo megurou to mo
Even if seasons change countless times with different colors, my feelings for you will not wilt like a flower
Kono kimochi wa karenai hana no you ni yurameite
My emotions for you sway like a blooming flower that will never wither
Kimi wo omou
I think of you
Kanadeau kotoba wa kokochiyoi senritsu
The words we share together create a pleasant melody
Kimi ga soba ni iru dake de ii
Just having you by my side is enough
Hohoenda hitomi wo nakusanai tame nara
To keep from losing the happy look in your eyes
Tatoe hoshi no matataki ga mienai yoru mo
Even on nights when the stars refuse to twinkle
Furisosogu komorebi no you ni kimi wo tsutsumu
I envelope you like how sunlight filters through the branches
Sore wa boku no tsuyoku kawaranu chikai
That is my unchanging vow to you
Yume nara yume no mama de kamawanai
If it's a dream, then I don't care if it stays as a dream
Ai suru kagayaki ni afure asu e mukau yorokobi wa
The joy overflowing from loving radiance leads me towards tomorrow
Shinjitsu dakara
Because it is the truth
The love to you is alive in me. wo- every day for love.
My love for you is alive within me every day
You are aside of me wo- every day.
You are always by my side every day
Nokosarete kanashii kioku sae sotto
Even painful memories are comforted
Kimi wa yawaragete kureru yo
Because you give me tenderness
Hashagu you ni natsuita yawarakana kaze ni fukarete
Your lively spirit is like a soft breeze on a summer day
Nabiku azayaka na kimi ga boku wo ubau
Your vivid charm captivates me
Yume nara yume no mama de kamawanai
If it's a dream, then I don't care if it stays as a dream
Ai suru kagayaki ni afure mune wo someru
My heart overflows with the shining love for you
Itsumademo kimi wo omoi
I will always think of you
repeat
Repeating the chorus
Contributed by Elena W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.