amazarashi is a Japanese alternative rock band formed in 2007 in Mutsu, Aom… Read Full Bio ↴amazarashi is a Japanese alternative rock band formed in 2007 in Mutsu, Aomori, Japan. It consists of leader, vocalist, and guitarist 秋田ひろむ (Hiromu Akita), and keyboardist 豊川真奈美 (Manami Toyokawa). Composer/arranger 出羽良彰 (Yoshiaki Dewa) also contributes to the band.

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.

Jojoushi
amazarashi Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

アイデンティティが東京湾に浮かんでいる
巡航する豪華客船のその波で
浮遊してるやがて沈む
物珍しそうに乗客は人だかり
助けるべきか? いやあんな得体のしれないものには触れるな
あれはなんだ? あれはなんだ? あれはなんだ? あれはなんだ?

受諾と拒絶拒絶拒絶

手は組めないぜただじゃ死なないぜ
許可されて生きる命ではないよああ私の私
応答途絶途絶途絶
生きているなら声を聞かせて
徐々に蝕まれる暮らしの抒情詩ああ詠い続けて

何が善で何が悪か
白と黒分かり合えずいがみ合って
灰色が割って入って
お互いを認め合うべきだと懐から取り出す
共感を見ていやそんな危険かもしれないものには頼れるか
それはなんだ? それはなんだ? それはなんだ? それはなんだ?

受諾と拒絶拒絶拒絶
先生や医者神様にでも
変えること出来ない形と中身ああ私の私
応答途絶途絶途絶
生きているなら声を聞かせて
徐々に蝕まれる暮らしの抒情詩ああ詠い続けて

受諾と拒絶拒絶拒絶
拒絶拒絶拒絶拒絶

不法投棄された千億の陰口
焼却処分だ見栄も顕示欲も
僕らは内側静かな場所へ行こう
それなのに自分を無くせって従えって我慢しろって
強い風に吹き飛ばされて落ちた東京湾

形と中身私の私
形と中身私の私
形と中身私の私
形と中身私の私

受諾と拒絶拒絶拒絶
冷笑や脅し圧力にさえ
歪めること出来ない形と中身ああ私の私
応答途絶途絶途絶

生き抜いたなら顔をみせてよ
徐々に蝕まれる暮らしの抒情詩ああ詠い続けて

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of amazarashi's song Jojoushi are open to a wide range of interpretations, but primarily deal with the theme of the struggle for individual identity in a society that imposes conformity. The first verse portrays a scene of a luxury cruise ship navigating through the Tokyo Bay, while the identity of the singer floats aimlessly in the waves. The passengers on the ship are intrigued by the identity and approach it with curiosity, but the singer warns against touching something that is unfamiliar and unknown. This can be interpreted as a metaphor for society's treatment of individuals who do not conform to its norms and expectations.

The second verse describes the struggle to find one's place in society and the tension between acceptance and rejection. The singer asserts that living with acceptance is not the same as living with purpose, and that one should never be complacent in the face of societal pressure. The gray area that arises in between black and white is explored, and the idea of mutual recognition and acceptance is mentioned. The third verse deals with the topic of waste disposal and societal judgment. The singer suggests that individuals should find their own quiet space away from the noise of society, despite the pressure to conform.

The chorus of rejection and acceptance is repeated throughout the song, highlighting the struggle for personal identity against societal conformity. The theme of gradual corruption and erosion of one's sense of self is also prominent. Overall, the song portrays the difficulty of finding and maintaining individuality in a society that values conformity and the dangers of losing oneself in the process.

Line by Line Meaning

アイデンティティが東京湾に浮かんでいる
My identity is floating in Tokyo Bay.

巡航する豪華客船のその波で
Drifting on the waves of a luxurious cruise ship.

浮遊してるやがて沈む
Floating for now, but soon sinking.

物珍しそうに乗客は人だかり
Curious passengers crowded around, marveling.

助けるべきか? いやあんな得体のしれないものには触れるな
Should I help? No, don't touch such unknown things.

あれはなんだ? あれはなんだ? あれはなんだ? あれはなんだ?
What is it? What is it? What is it? What is it?

受諾と拒絶拒絶拒絶
Acceptance and rejection, rejection, rejection.

手は組めないぜただじゃ死なないぜ
I can't join hands, but I won't die easily.

許可されて生きる命ではないよああ私の私
Living with permission, but this is not life, oh my self.

応答途絶途絶途絶
Response cut off, cut off, cut off.

生きているなら声を聞かせて
If you're alive, let me hear your voice.