‘4- Entertainment’ Archives
Nausicaa, Summer, One Summer’ Day by Joe Hisaishi
Joe Hisaishi composed many masterpieces. Among them, probably the most acclaimed works are his film music. Many of good films can't get enough understanding without good background music. Movie directors in Japan, including even the genius director, Hayao Miyazaki, were very lucky that they all lived in the same time with Joe [...]
Once again Hikaru Utada !
There is one thing I regret about Japanese music scene today. Many of new Japanese artists recently have less impact compared to the time of 1980 to 1990's. Back then, new artists were competing their new breaking fashion, new song style, and totally impressive personal talent of music. It's a little strange to see many past artist, now [...]
Original Silent Library from Japanese comedian team, DOWNTOWN
Some may have seen a TV program called SILENT LIBRARY in the USA. It's funny that everyone there tries to keep silent while they are playing funny card game. I think it's really good for laughing. American program is funny, but maybe comparing the Japanese one is more interesting because you would know the cultural difference there. [...]
Ancient music of Japan, Gagaku
In the ancient time of Japan, people among aristocrats enjoyed original music of Japan called Gagaku. Especially in Heian Era ( late 8th century ), when was a prosperous time for aristocrats called Fujiwara Clan, it's a luxury entertainment. As you hear, this is a very strange music with super unique melody by amazingly old time musical [...]
Akira Kurosawa and Takeshi Kitano
For movie fans, probably Akira Kurosawa is the most famous director among Japanese directors. Also recently Takeshi Kitano became popular with totally unique approach to movie fans. When Akira Kurosawa was still alive, these 2 masters talked about film making and their life. As you see, Takeshi Kitano also looks young and his face is still [...]
Studio Ghibli Museum in Mitaka, Tokyo
Today's topic is about Studio Ghibli Museum in Mitaka city, Tokyo. Some or many should know that this is the top animator of Japan, Hayao Miyazaki's museum, and he also often work inside here. When guests from the world come to see him, they are often invited into this museum for coffee tolk with Hayao Miyazaki ( what a lovely experience [...]
My Boyhood, the old days of Japan
This movie is an old movie, but it still captures the time of old Japan just after the second world war. This is not a war movie but it tells about boyhood for those who lived in the era. As you see in the video, in Japan there were not enough things like cars, radios, TV sets, or even telephones. Everything was swept away by war but pure [...]
Departure, Okuribito theme song by Joe Hisaishi was recorded with London Symphonic Orchestra
Okuribito or Departure was filmed in 2008 and it took many film contest prizes including the Best Foreign Language Film Prize at Academy Award in the USA. If you missed this film, it's not hard to recommend you see it as most of the people are moved with it. Ryoko Hirosue ( photo) is a graceful film star of Japan, and she acts also very well [...]
NANAKO MATSUSHIMA played a nice role in Japanese TV drama in 2011
For Nanako Matsushima 2011was a good year. She played a leading role on a Japanese TV drama called Kaseifu no Mita, and this drama got the NO.1 rating at more than 40% among all the Japanese TV show in 2011. She Started her career as a fashion model, so not many people expected her to become a good actress at the first time she appeared in [...]
L’Arc~en~Ciel in Paris and at Madison Square Garden in New York
A few years ago, L'arc en Ciel gave a concert in Paris ( see video). They were then popular in Japan ( now still popular ) but we in Japan hardly imagined they would be such famous in European countries. Actually they already participated in Otakon 2004 in the USA before the concert in Paris, also they went for the concerts in some Asian [...]
