Pizzicato Five (often nicknamed "P5") is a legendary Japanese group that fo… Read Full Bio ↴Pizzicato Five (often nicknamed "P5") is a legendary Japanese group that formed in 1984. Arguably the first group to popularize shibuya-kei from underground circles, they also later on began experimenting with the style, with what some called an innovative genre all their own, blending traditional Japanese pop, alternative, soul, funk, jazz, ye-ye, acoustic folk, and early electronic music, among others. They are also perhaps best known to audiences in the west in their later incarnation as a duo of Nomiya Maki (野宮真貴) and Konishi Yasuharu (小西康陽).

They are widely credited to have spearheaded the "Shibuya-kei" movement of Tokyo in the 90s, along with Flipper's Guitar.

They are known for their eclectic and energetic compositions, which often sound like "new" releases from the late 1960s hipster scene. Their catchphrase--"A New Stereophonic Sound Spectacular"--captured the group's ironic stance but eager attitude. The group broke up in March 2001.

A hugely prolific group, Pizzicato Five would release at least an album-per-year along with various EPs and remix albums during their 16 year-career.

Both Nomiya Maki (野宮真貴) and Konishi Yasuharu(小西康陽) currently enjoy solo careers - with Konishi Yasuharu(小西康陽) producing other artists ranging from Puffy and SMAP to Cornelius and kahimi karie(カヒミ・カリィ) - alongside collaborative remix compilations - from Ella Fitzgerald and The Supremes to classic Disney and Thunderbirds (as in Super-Marionated) music on his Shibuya-based Readymade Records label.

On Thursday March 31st, 2011, exactly 10 years after Pizzicato Five disbanded, Konishi Yasuharu announced a new solo project called Pizzicato One. The first release, titled One and Ten Very Sad Songs, consists of covers of English songs, each featuring vocals by various internationally-known artists from around the world.

The Awakening
Pizzicato Five Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

(konishi)
Translators: taichi azuma

Mezameru to
Asa wa mada
Totemo hayai asa
'curtain' wa

Tappuri to hikari wo kunde
Odoru

Koibito wa
'bed' de mada
Neiki wo tateteru
Daisuki na
Kuchibiru ni
Amaku hikaru yodare

Yukkuri to ryouude de
Jibun wo dakishimeru
Kesa umaretekita youna

Shiawase na asa no kibun wo
Umareta bakari no sekai wo
Shiawase na asa no hitotoki wo
Koushite utari shita

"trunk" ni
Sukoshi dake
Nimotsu wo tsumete
Daisuki na
Koibito ni
"kiss" shite dete iku

Soreja, matane
Sugu kaeru

---------------------------
When I wake up
In the morning
It's so early
A curtain is dancing
Full of
Light

My darling is
Still asleep
In bed
Drool is
Shining sweetly
On my darling's lip

Slowly, I hug myself
With both arms
It's like I was born this morning

A feeling on this happy morning
A world where only I was born
Thinking of this happy morning
I wrote this song

Packin'
A few things
Into a suitcase
I kiss
My darlin' lover
And go out

Well, see you later
I'll back soon

Overall Meaning

The song "The Awakening" by Pizzicato Five reflects a peaceful and content morning that the singer experiences with his lover. The lyrics convey the delicate scene of the couple waking up together at dawn, with the sun just beginning to rise. The curtain is pulled back to reveal a bright morning, where the singer's lover is still asleep, and the sun reflects off their drool, a sweet and intimate detail. The singer then hugs himself, a gesture that is like being born anew and experiencing the happiness of a new day.

The singer's joy in that moment is encapsulated in the phrase, "A feeling on this happy morning, a world where only I was born." The world may be full of chaos and turmoil, but in that single moment, the singer feels he has been reborn into a happier place. The song's upbeat and bright melody match the lyrics, adding to the feeling of positivity and the beauty of a new day. The song ends with the singer, filled with love and a newly born sense of hope, packing and leaving, with the promise to return shortly.

Line by Line Meaning

When I wake up
As soon as I wake up

In the morning
Early in the day

It's so early
Very early in the morning

A curtain is dancing
A curtain flutters in the light breeze

Full of Light
The curtain is filled with light

My darling is still asleep
My lover is still asleep in bed

In bed
Lying down in bed

Drool is shining sweetly
Saliva glistens sweetly

On my darling's lip
On my lover's lip

Slowly, I hug myself
I gently embrace myself

With both arms
Using both of my arms