Koichi Domoto's New Single 『妖 ～あやかし～』 Ayakashi : PV is out!!!

Well, the suspense is finally over as to what is the music style and image Koichi will use for Ayakashi. True enough, when the song is interlayed with Koichi's visual performance, the overall effect is quite good! Whilst both KinKi Kids are good musicians and performers, Koichi is indeed more the stage performer whilst Tsuyoshi is more the musician. Here's some cool screen caps from the PV. I like the dance moves and the scenes where the women "go through" Koichi.





My KKF friend (whose liking is swayed more towards Koichi :P) was disappointed when she heard Ayakashi, as she felt that there was no breakthrough in his music, and it doesn't help that the lyrics of Ayakashi are again written by the same lyricist he used for his previous album, Mirror. Well, as for me, I just can't stand the broken English in the lyrics. And I wish the hand in the PV that was caressing Koichi's chest belongs to a certain someone (those who know will know what I mean! Wink!). Hahahahaha!






Anyway, for those KK fans like me who are feeling very deprived of KinKi Kids (since the 2 have been at their solo performances since end of KinKi you concert...that's nearly 7 months already...Orz), here's a bit of interesting observation from the PV.

Notice the colours of the center pillar in the PV?! Yup, it's red and blue! And all KKF must know red and blue represents who, right?!


And notice the colour of the lighted panes in the backdrop? Yup, it's purple! And all KKF must know what is Tsuyoshi's fave colour, right?! And all whoever has studied some science in school will know what is the colour you get when you combine red and blue, right?! Fufufufu!


Oooh, I must say I like the phoenix (at least I think it looks like one) at the back of his jacket. Very eye-catching!




Ayakashi ~short ver~

Credit to deekochannel for the YouTube video:


This version has the hand caressing Koichi's chest.
Credit to overhigh101 for the YouTube video:



Ayakashi CM
Credit to overhigh101 for the YouTube video:

Tsuyoshi's Love Fighter 2009.07.07: Finding my true self, becoming shining white

Credit to 剛의 빠순의 왕 for the Japanese LF message:

今日は
雲が面白い形で
空を泳いでいたよ。

東京は空が狭くて
寂しくなる時がある。

けれど慣れてしまえば
そうでもなくもある。

けれどそれは嫌だ。

自分が感じた
一番始めの感動を
忘れたくはないよ。


奈良に住んでいた頃に
感動した空の広大さを
匂いを青を。


忘れたくない。

時代の事情が
忘れさせた
本当の自分を

僕はいま

必死に取り戻してる。


誰かに彩られた自分は
大嫌いさ。



本当の自分を
取り戻したら

いまの自分が
本当と重なって


僕は白く輝くだろう。


English Translation:

Today
The clouds in the form of interesting shapes
are swimming across the sky

The sky in Tokyo is very narrow
And causes one to feel lonesome at times

However, when one becomes accustomed to it
It seems alright to go without it

However, I don't like it this way

My own experience
The wonderful emotions I felt at the start
I don't want to forget that


When I was living in Nara
The wide skies that touched me
The smell of the greenery


I don't want to forget that

Due to the conditions of these times
My true self
that I have forgotten

I now

will do my utmost to regain


The me who has been painted by others
I really dislike



When I regain
my true self

And the present me
and my true self overlap


I will be shining white, I hope.


My afterthoughts:
Hmm...I wonder what is Tsuyoshi going through recently that is causing him to think so deeply over the same issue of finding his true self. Nothing wrong with pondering over such issues. However, if one gets stuck and lost amidst such introspection, that may lead to depression. I hope it's not his management that is finding issue with him and his recent change in music and fashion style. Whoever is causing him to be so introspective, please give him space, please treat him gently. He's very sensitive but also brave and I know he will be able to break out of his cocoon and emerge even more beautiful.

Tsuyoshi's Love Fighter 2009.07.05: Festival of the Weaver 七夕 (Tanabata)

Credit to 剛의 빠순의 왕 for the Japanese LF message:

もうすぐ七夕ですね。

七夕が近づくとね

東京に出て来て
何年と天の川を


観ていないななんて事を
ふと考えてしまうのです。


奈良に住んでいた頃は
七夕の夜を仰げばそこに


天の川がくっきりと
流れていた。


その景色は
本当に綺麗で


思い出すだけで
胸が締め付けられる。


生きているんだ

全身で感動出来る場所へ

今日も

僕らしく歩いて行こう。


English Translation:

Very soon, it will be the Festival of the Weaver (Evening of the Seventh; star festival)

Whenever this festival approaches

I will incidentally think of
how many years it has been

since I left for Tokyo
and last saw the Milky Way


When I was living in Nara
During the Festival of the Weaver, when one looks up into the sky at night

The Milky Way can distinctly be seen
streaming across the sky

That scenery
It's really beautiful

Just recollecting
is sufficient to tighten my chest

I am living

Today too

Let's walk towards

A place where our entire being can be deeply moved

Tsuyoshi's Love Fighter 2009.07.04: I want a piano!

Credit to 剛의 빠순의 왕 for the Japanese LF message:


僕は昨日、

ふと思ってしまう。


ピアノが欲しい！
ピアノ弾いても

クレームの来ない
部屋がいい！

かなり小さい音で
弾いているから
体に音が当たる感じが
少なくてイメージも
つまらなくなっていく。



楽器を演奏する空間は
やはり高さや奥行きが
ある方が良い。


歌う環境もそうだ。


単純に上手くなる。

心も体も
気持ちいいと
自然に上手くなるもの。


音楽には
頭や知識も必要だが


心が本当に必要。


いまの時代は
心のケアを忘れている。

心は何時の日か
なくなってしまうのかな


僕はそれ等を
音楽を通して


ずっとずっと
考えているんだ。


English Translation:

Yesterday

I suddenly had this thought


I want a piano!
No matter how much I play

A house where nobody will come and complain
will be excellent!


Because I'm playing quite softly
The body cannot really feel the music
It becomes a dull affair


As expected, one really needs to have
a room which is tall and wide
for playing musicial instruments

It's also the same for singing

Simply put, one is able to perform better

When both the heart and body
feels good
One will naturally be able to do things better


When it comes to music
Whilst it is necessary to have knowledge of the mind

It's really necessary to have the heart


In these times
We have forgotten to care for matters of the heart

How soon will the day come
when the heart dies away?

All these things
Through music

Continuosly continously
I'm pondering over


******************************************************
My afterthoughts:
This is so Tsuyo, if you know what I mean. The pop idol industry is meant to create glamour, dream and joy for all their fans, but our Tsuyoshi wants to do the exact opposite. He does not want to create a dreamland for his fans to escape into, but instead he wants them to look at the hard reality, a world where the heart and relationships are neglected, and hopefully, that everybody would do their little bit by loving those around us more. To me, Tsuyoshi has always been like an angel who has accidentally come into this world and cannot understand why people would rather choose to hurt one another than to love each other. Even now, he probably still can't understand why but at least now, he has the strength to face the ugly reality and to try to do his little bit to bring the world closer to his heaven. My view? This is a thankless exercise and his efforts are likely to be in vain, but I love him for his courage to try.

Tsuyoshi's Love Fighter 2009.07.03: Tsuyoshi Man!

Credit to 剛의 빠순의 왕 for the Japanese LF message:

いかがお過ごしですか？

　σ２σ
　　ч

ツヨシマンです。


さっき勝手に

記号使って作りました。

髪の毛切りました
スッキシ。


ふと考えると
東京に出てきて

16年近く経つのかと
なにか考え込んでしまう

大好きな奈良を離れて
大好きな東京を知って

大好きな自分を知って
大切な自分を失って。


早く会いたい

本当の自分に。


English Translation:

How has life been for everybody?

　σ２σ
　　ч

That's Tsuyoshi man。


Just now, I couldn't help
but use the symbols to create that.

I've cut my hair
Much fresher


It suddenly crossed my mind
From the time I left for Tokyo

Around 16 years have passed?
It's something to ponder over.

Leaving beloved Nara
Coming to know beloved Tokyo

Coming to know my beloved self
Losing the important part of myself


Hoping to meet soon

My true self


********************************************************************************************
Trivial talk first: Am I the only who doesn't see any picture forming from those symbols??? Please enlighten me if anyone of you know how to see a Tsuyoshi man from those symbols.

OK, more serious talk now. This LF message seems a little pensive. I know there are fans that are worrying about Tsuyoshi, thinking that he sounds sad. But I think Tsuyoshi should be fine. He's just expressing his inner thoughts to us. He himself said that he changed his name to 剛紫 (and within 2-3 months, back to his own name......Orz ) as he wanted to show his fans his true self, though it might be dark. His search for his self has been a long and difficult journey, often made tougher by his too sensitive soul. I really hope that he will finally find his true self and be at peace with himself.

Koichi Domoto's New Single 『妖 ～あやかし～』 Ayakashi to be released on 29 July 2009!!!

堂本光一『妖 ～あやかし～』.mp3 -


awakenyourself.mp3 -


Koichi is finally releasing a new solo single after 3 long years!

According to dictionary, "Ayakashi" means a ghost that appears at sea during a shipwreck. Interesting! I was waiting for the CD covers to come out, hoping to be able to gain some insight into the song from the CD covers. However, I have to admit that I'm still quite clueless even after looking at the CD covers. The only thing that comes to my mind is Titantic...... Oh well, at least Koichi looks good in the CD covers!

In case you are confused about the different CD versions, there are 3 versions in total. The unique features in each edition are as follows:
1) Limited edition - you get a DVD! (Of course must buy!)
2) Normal edition (limited release) - you get 1 new re-arranged song "Falling -2009-" and "Koichi’s Photo of Attractive Nature" (not too sure what's that, probably a photo)
3) Normal edition - you get 2 new re-arranged songs "Falling -2009-" and "Peaceful World -2009-"

I'm probably getting 2 versions - Limited edition and Normal edition, but I'm also very tempted by that mysterious "Koichi’s Photo of Attractive Nature" in the Normal edition (limited release). Arghhhhhh! Koichi, you really know how to tempt us to spend $$$!!!

Quickly place your pre-orders with Play-Asia.com, YesAsia.com or CDJapan! I definitely hope Koichi can get No. 1 on the Oricon chart and have very good sales!


Source: Johnny's Entertainment

堂本光一ﾆｭｰｼﾝｸﾞﾙ『妖 ～あやかし～』2009年7月29日発売決定!! 3年振りとなる、ソロコンサートツアーに先駆け、ニューシングルをリリース。 妖しく艶めいた“光一の世界”全開となった作品。前作同様、全楽曲の作曲を本人が担当しています。
初回限定盤 (Limited)	通常盤(初回プレス) Norm (Ltd)　 通常盤 Norm
試聴はしばらくお待ち下さい。
■初回限定盤:JECN-0198～199 CD(全2曲)+DVD ☆CD収録曲☆ M1：妖 ～あやかし～ M2：Awaken Yourself ☆DVD収録内容☆ ・「妖 ～あやかし～」Music Clip ・「妖 ～あやかし～」Making ○初回限定盤仕様 ①2面4Pジャケット ②DVD付き	■通常盤(初回プレス)：JECN-0200 CD(全3曲 + inst 1曲) ☆CD収録曲☆ M1：妖 ～あやかし～ M2：Awaken Yourself M3：Falling -2009- M4：妖 ～あやかし～(Backing Track with Koichi's Chorus) ○通常盤(初回プレス)仕様 ①3面6Pジャケット ②｢Falling -2009-｣収録　＜初回盤未収録＞ ③｢妖 ～あやかし～(Backing Track with Koichi’s Chorus)｣ 　収録 ＜初回盤･通常盤未収録＞ ④｢Koichi’s Photo of Attractive Nature｣封入 ■通常盤:JECN-0201 CD(全4曲) ☆CD収録曲☆ M1：妖 ～あやかし～ M2：Awaken Yourself M3：Falling -2009- M4：Peaceful World -2009- ○通常盤仕様 ①3面6Pジャケット ②｢Falling -2009-｣収録　＜初回盤未収録＞ ③｢Peaceful World -2009-｣収録　＜初回盤未収録＞

Tsuyoshi's Love Fighter 2009.07.02: Rain Rain, Don't Go Away!

今日も雨が降りました 。

車のタイヤが
アスファルトを撫でる
音が心地好くも感じた。

昔は雨が嫌いだったのに
気付けば好きになってた

今では安心すらも感じる

そんな雨。

もし風邪をひかないなら
ずっと当たってたいと
思ったりもする。


English Translation:

It rained today too.

The sound of the car tyres
gently caressing the asphalt road
It's a soothing feeling

In the past, I used to dislike rain
I realise that I have come to like it instead

Now, I even gain peace from it

Such is rain.

If it is possible not to catch a cold
I would like to be continously out in the rain