semperfiona | Japanese music: Kaguyahime (かぐや姫)

So I've been trying to revive my Japanese, albeit in a somewhat lackadaisical manner. However, one of the things I have done relatively consistently is listen to more Japanese pop music. I have several cassette tapes that I made while in Japan. Recently I've managed to rip a couple of them into iTunes, though I haven't finished. Also Work!Chris gave me a CD of some stuff he had, and Knitting!Jenn gave me a CD of NEWS. Mine and Chris's are pre-1990.

I still haven't found the one cassette I reallyreally wanted to find, but among the other ones I have found some of the music I most wanted.

Turns out Rosa really likes J-pop, so when we're in the car together she'll find it on my ipod and start it up.

Of the things I've (re)found so far, I very much like the group Kaguyahime. The songs are bittersweet little vignettes of life. And they're very easy to understand, with clear enunciation and vocals that are not covered up by loud music. However, I've only got four of their songs, so today I went looking for more. First I tried iTunes, but it does not seem to be possible to buy Japanese music in American iTunes. So then I thought of Youtube, and found some things. Unfortunately I haven't figured out how to get them out of Youtube and into my ipod, but at least I can stash the links here for later.

かぐや姫メドレー This is a good introduction to Kaguyahime's songs, and has lyrics (in Japanese) across the bottom. Practice reading!

More music from Kaguyahime

And a couple of other things I could remember the titles of, but don't have in iTunes currently.

時代 I used to sing this song at karaoke bars in Japan. (Gaijin singing in Japanese: always a good way to impress the sararimen.) Matter of fact, despite having lost most of my spontaneous Japanese ability, I can still sing most of it from memory.

乾杯 Another favorite; I believe we sang it during the graduation ceremony at the end of my year at Nanzan.