Members include Aoki Robin [青木ロビン] (vocals, guitar), Aoki Yutaka [青木裕] (guitar), Nakamata Kazuhiro [仲俣和宏] (bass), Akiyama Takahiko [秋山隆彦] (drums) and Zakuro [柘榴] (live effects).
On 22 October 2004, the group announced they would temporarily cease activity. In the meantime, all members are currently engaged in one or more musical projects.
On 1st October 2013, downy announced their reunion after a 9 year hiatus and a special concert to mark the reunion on the 1st of November in Okinawa. Their reunion was also marked by their first studio album release in 9 years with all-new material on the 20th on November.
In 2018, Hiroshi Aoki, guitarist, died. In February 2020, SUNNOVA joined as an official member, playing sampler and synth.
椿
downy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
小春の 午後。
雨が 狂って
小春の 午後。
雨が 狂って
小春の 午後。
雨が 狂って
雨が 狂って
小春の 午後。
雨が 狂って
小春の 午後。
汚れた
この 世界には
藁(わら)と眩暈（めまい）と
四月の 水が 揺れる
邪（よこしま）な夜をくれるなら
淡い 鱗（うろこ）も
瞬く 銀に 光る
雨が 狂って
小春の 午後。
雨が 狂って
小春の 午後。
雨が 狂って
小春の 午後。
鋼鉄（はがね）の 涙（なんだ）垂らして
私を探して
この 世界に 裸足で さあ。
雨が 狂って
小春の 午後。
雨が 狂って
小春の 午後。
雨が 狂って
小春の 午後。
雨が 狂って
雨が 狂って
雨が 狂って
小春の 午後。
雨が 狂って
雨が 狂って
小春の 午後。
雨が 狂って
小春の 午後。
The Japanese song "椿" by Downy is a hauntingly beautiful reflection on the impermanence of life and the beauty that can arise even amidst the chaos and darkness that exist. The repeated phrase "雨が狂って 小春の午後 (the rain is crazy on a small spring afternoon)" serves to create a sense of foreboding, as though there is a storm brewing that will upset the delicate balance of nature.
The image of "汚れた この世界には 藁(わら)と眩暈（めまい）と 四月の 水が 揺れる (in this polluted world, straw and dizziness and April water sway)" paints a picture of desolation and pollution, yet there is a flicker of hope in the mention of the April water. There is an ongoing battle being waged between light and dark, hope and despair.
The lines "鋼鉄（はがね）の 涙（なんだ）垂らして 私を探して この 世界に 裸足で さあ (shedding tears of steel, come find me in this world, barefoot)" seem to reflect a search for connection and meaning in a world that can be cruel and indifferent, but this search is not without emotional cost.
Overall, "椿" is a poem of yearning and beauty amidst chaos, an acknowledgement that life can be painful and temporary but also that there is a resilience that can arise in the midst of struggle.
Line by Line Meaning
雨が 狂って 小春の 午後。
The unpredictable rain sets the scene for a tranquil afternoon in early spring.
汚れた この 世界には 藁(わら)と眩暈（めまい）と 四月の 水が 揺れる
In this corrupted world, we find solace in the beauty of nature; the swaying water in April and the fields of hay against the dizzying sky.
邪（よこしま）な夜をくれるなら 淡い 鱗（うろこ）も 瞬く 銀に 光る
Even in the darkness, there is still beauty to be found. The glinting of silver scales in the soft moonlight.
鋼鉄（はがね）の 涙（なんだ）垂らして 私を探して この 世界に 裸足で さあ。
Even amidst our struggles and tears, we search for meaning and connection. In this world, we wander aimlessly, barefoot and vulnerable.
雨が 狂って 小春の 午後。
The unpredictable rain sets the scene for a tranquil afternoon in early spring.
雨が 狂って 小春の 午後。
The unpredictable rain sets the scene for a tranquil afternoon in early spring.
雨が 狂って 小春の 午後。
The unpredictable rain sets the scene for a tranquil afternoon in early spring.
雨が 狂って 雨が 狂って 雨が 狂って 小春の 午後。
The rain comes in cycles, wild and unpredictable, but still beautiful in its own way, always setting the scene for a tranquil afternoon in early spring.
雨が 狂って 雨が 狂って 小春の 午後。
The rain comes in cycles, wild and unpredictable, but still beautiful in its own way; always setting the scene for a tranquil afternoon in early spring.
雨が 狂って 小春の 午後。
The unpredictable rain sets the scene for a tranquil afternoon in early spring.
Contributed by Lucy S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.