In December 2009, they released an album 0. as a limited release of 500 copies in Aomori. Since the album created a lot of buzz and they were flooded with inquiries, they eventually released the album nationwide as 0.6.
As the intense worldview of their lyrics grabbed the attention of listeners with quick ears, they made a major debut with 爆弾の作り方 (How to Make a Bomb) released from Sony Music Associated Records in June 2010.
“a band led by Hiromu Akita from Aomori”
It was the only information officially shared about the band, but they have expanded their fan base by word of mouth, mostly through the Internet, to such an extent that their latest album ねえママ あなたの言うとおり (Hey Mom, It's Just as You Say) went up to number 8 in the Oricon weekly album chart.
When performing live, they have a unique style where they play behind a screen that covers the whole stage and projects various images to go along with the music. Their shows have been much talked about, and some say it gives the audience a sense of watching a film and enjoying live music at the same time.
They are also known as their music videos with CG animation and have won a variety of awards worldwide.
In 2010, their music video for 夏を待っていました ("Waiting for the Summer") won the Excellence Award at the 14th Japan Media Arts Festival. amazarashi’s 夏を待っていました and サカナクション's アルクアラウンド were the only music videos that won the awards that year.
Furthermore, they have attracted interest throughout the world as they won prizes at Annecy International Animated Film Festival (originally a part of Cannes Film Festival) in France, SIGGRAPH ASIA 2011 (the world’s biggest computer graphics event), one dot zero 2011 (a digital animation festival in London), and more.
More info can be found on their official homepage at http://www.amazarashi.com.
Hakisouda
amazarashi Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
それとも酔いどれの千夜一夜 ていうか二日酔いでもう吐きそうだ
新しい家に引っ越した とは言っても西日とは未だ友人だ
安心とは縁遠い暮らしの最中で どっち付かずの夢想家
思い出す景色おぼろに 白黒写真みたいなあの日々
何度も僕は僕を殺し 血まみれの僕 未だ在住 心に
夜窓に不意に映るそいつは さながら亡霊か 恨めしそうな目だ
踏みとどまるのはいつだってギリギリだ
自分の価値観を自分で言い負かし そいつをまた否定する言葉遊び
建前を一枚ずつ剥がせば 頭の中すっかり嫌な奴
そりゃそうだ一糸纏わぬ人間は そもそも獣とさほど変わらない
つまり犯人は僕自身なのだ っていうのはもう何度目のオチだ？
生きる意味とは何だ 寝起き一杯のコーヒーくらいのもんか
それとも酔いどれの千夜一夜 ていうか二日酔いでもう吐きそうだ
生きる意味とは何だ 寝起き一杯のコーヒーくらいのもんか
それとも酔いどれの千夜一夜 ていうか二日酔いでもう吐きそうだ
たった一瞬の たった一粒の 閃きが人生を変える
でもそれを神様みたいに崇めるのは違うと思うんだ
愚直な自尊心が現実に跪いた 口をつく恨み節 確かによく切れたな
閃きには今も感謝するが 怠惰の言い訳になり得たのも然りだ
馬鹿にした奴 見返したいだけじゃ 目立ちたがりや 空虚な愉快犯
上か下かで競い合うその先に 僕ら生きてる虚しさを恥じて
群衆の意思の平均像の下敷きに なっているのもどうせ人間だ
それなら自分が一番可愛いんだと 言ってみせろよこの獣どもが
生きる意味とは何だ 寝起き一杯のコーヒーくらいのもんか
それとも酔いどれの千夜一夜 ていうか二日酔いでもう吐きそうだ
生きる意味とは何だ 寝起き一杯のコーヒーくらいのもんか
それとも酔いどれの千夜一夜 ていうか二日酔いでもう吐きそうだ
埠頭を望むさびれた岸壁 潮風に錆び付いていく命
と呼ぶのも躊躇う様な暮らし ぶら下げ「それでも」と 未だ のたまい
所在などなく 行き場所もなく くすぶる魂すら持て余す
「後悔はない」という後悔を 引きずり重い足を歩かせる
愚痴は零すな 弱音を吐くな 素晴らしい人間になろうと思うな
我慢するべきだ 身を粉にして 道に迷っても戻りはするな
優しく在れ 義理堅く 恩は返せ 借りは作るな
無償の愛だ 無償の愛か？ これこそエゴか？ なんて嫌な奴だ
生きる意味とは何だ 寝起き一杯のコーヒーくらいのもんか
それとも酔いどれの千夜一夜 ていうか二日酔いでもう吐きそうだ
生きる意味とは何だ 寝起き一杯のコーヒーくらいのもんか
それとも酔いどれの千夜一夜 ていうか二日酔いでもう吐きそうだ
The song "Hakisouda" by amazarashi examines the existential question of finding meaning in life. The lyrics describe the singer's struggles to understand the purpose of existence, questioning whether it is as simple as a cup of coffee in the morning or a wild night out. The singer has just moved into a new home, but even amidst this change, they find themselves in a state of indecision as a dreamer without direction.
The lyrics also explore the theme of regret, as the singer remembers moments of his past that have left him with a sense of guilt and shame. He is haunted by his own reflection, which he sees as a ghostly reminder of his mistakes. The lyrics suggest that the singer is dealing with his own internal struggles and that he is his own worst enemy.
The song's chorus repeats the question about the meaning of life, almost as if it is a mantra. The singer seems to be searching for answers but is ultimately left feeling unfulfilled and emptied of purpose.
Overall, "Hakisouda" is a powerful and thought-provoking meditation on the human condition, dealing with themes of regret, self-doubt, and existential questioning.
Line by Line Meaning
生きる意味とは何だ 寝起き一杯のコーヒーくらいのもんか
What is the meaning of life? Is it as simple as a cup of coffee in the morning?
それとも酔いどれの千夜一夜 ていうか二日酔いでもう吐きそうだ
Or is it more like the ramblings of a drunkard, or the feeling of wanting to throw up with a hangover?
新しい家に引っ越した とは言っても西日とは未だ友人だ
Even though I moved to a new house, I'm still friends with the scorching afternoon sun.
安心とは縁遠い暮らしの最中で どっち付かずの夢想家
Living in the midst of a life far from peace, I am a dreamer at a loss.
思い出す景色おぼろに 白黒写真みたいなあの日々
The memories of those days are hazy, and they seem like black-and-white photographs.
何度も僕は僕を殺し 血まみれの僕 未だ在住 心に
Many times, I have killed myself and that bloody persona still resides in my heart.
夜窓に不意に映るそいつは さながら亡霊か 恨めしそうな目だ
The image that suddenly appears in the night window looks like a ghost with spiteful eyes.
「いつでもこっちに戻って来なよ」
"Come back to me anytime."
踏みとどまるのはいつだってギリギリだ
Stopping oneself is always right on the edge.
自分の価値観を自分で言い負かし そいつをまた否定する言葉遊び
I talk myself out of my own values, and then play around with words to deny them again.
建前を一枚ずつ剥がせば 頭の中すっかり嫌な奴
When I peel off each protective layer, I see a hateful person in my mind.
そりゃそうだ一糸纏わぬ人間は そもそも獣とさほど変わらない
Of course, an unclothed human is not so different from a beast after all.
つまり犯人は僕自身なのだ っていうのはもう何度目のオチだ？
In other words, I am the criminal, how many times has this joke been told?
たった一瞬の たった一粒の 閃きが人生を変える
A momentary spark, a single grain of thought can change one's life.
でもそれを神様みたいに崇めるのは違うと思うんだ
However, I think it's wrong to worship such moments like they are divine.
愚直な自尊心が現実に跪いた 口をつく恨み節 確かによく切れたな
My stubborn pride has succumbed to reality, and I spew out a bitter and cutting complaint.
閃きには今も感謝するが 怠惰の言い訳になり得たのも然りだ
I am grateful for those sparks of inspiration, but they could also be lazy excuses.
馬鹿にした奴 見返したいだけじゃ 目立ちたがりや 空虚な愉快犯
The ones who are mocked are simply trying to stand out as foolish pranksters.
上か下かで競い合うその先に 僕ら生きてる虚しさを恥じて
Beyond the competition of whether you're on top or on bottom, we are ashamed of the emptiness of our lives.
群衆の意思の平均像の下敷きに なっているのもどうせ人間だ
Ultimately, we humans are under the pressure of society's average will.
それなら自分が一番可愛いんだと 言ってみせろよこの獣どもが
If that's the case, then these beasts should say, "I am the most adorable of them all!"
埠頭を望むさびれた岸壁 潮風に錆び付いていく命
A desolate wharf looks out towards a rusty barge, and life slowly rusts away in the sea breeze.
と呼ぶのも躊躇う様な暮らし ぶら下げ「それでも」と 未だ のたまい
It's hard to even call this a life, still clinging on saying, "even so."
所在などなく 行き場所もなく くすぶる魂すら持て余す
Without a place, without a destination, even my smoldering soul is at a loss.
「後悔はない」という後悔を 引きずり重い足を歩かせる
Dragging the regret of saying, "I have no regrets," I walk with heavy footsteps.
愚痴は零すな 弱音を吐くな 素晴らしい人間になろうと思うな
Don't spill meaningless complaints, don't make excuses, and don't aspire to be a great human being.
我慢するべきだ 身を粉にして 道に迷っても戻りはするな
You should endure, even if it grinds you to dust, and even if you wander off track, don't look back.
優しく在れ 義理堅く 恩は返せ 借りは作るな
Be kind and righteous, repay your debts, but don't borrow too much.
無償の愛だ 無償の愛か？ これこそエゴか？ なんて嫌な奴だ
Is it truly unconditional love? Or is this simply ego? I can't stand people who think too much.
Writer(s): 秋田 ひろむ, 秋田 ひろむ
Contributed by Nora L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.