Kazuki Tomokawa

polysena · Post by **polysena** » Wed Dec 12, 2012 3:44 pm

I just discovered this Japanese artist singer.. I find this great stuff even if I do not understand a word; he reminds me of Viktor Tsoi ( the Soviet Iconic Rock Singer for those who know him "USSR Jim Morrisson" A Star named Sun Peremen (change))

Here an example of Tomokawa

Ayashi no Tsuki

Some NP with Japanese background or perspective can say a bit more on him? Not much on internet...

kapital · Post by **kapital** » Sat Dec 22, 2012 10:00 am

Don't think he is that well known. The Japanese Wikipedia page doesn't say much more than the English one. Became a folk singer in his 20's and added painting in the 80's. Apparently he performs pretty regularly at a "live house" venue outside the center of Tokyo that I drive by all the time.

polysena · Post by **polysena** » Wed Jan 09, 2013 10:40 pm

hmmm sorry I only remarked your answer today... thank you!

my Japanese colleagues don't really like him- say he is too sad and after Fukushima Japanese want light stuff... well de gustibus non est disputandum.. from my view this guy looks like real stuff..

Did you hear him live? no?

I have heard that lyrics are "philosophical" true? untrue?

thx to youtube there are quite a few pieces on there.. and I like all of them ... in any case I really like the feel- do not understand one word of Japanese..

and if I travel again to Tokyo I'll go and listen to him ( you join me ?)

Poly-zuki

kapital · Post by **kapital** » Tue Jan 15, 2013 11:32 am

> my Japanese colleagues don't really like him - say he is too sad...

That type of music is probably too far from the mainstream in Japan now (and I don't think that has anything do do with the Tohoku disaster).

For contrast here is a YouTube video from the new up and comers, MomoKuro. I know teen idol groups are everywhere, but here this stuff has a much wider audience (well there are some clusters of interest like 6-20 year old girls and 35-45 year old guys, but we don't need to go into that).

I would guess that most Japanese would just think his music sounds "old" (as in like belonging to a trend that existed long ago) rather than to react too much to the lyrics. (Totally my guess) but your colleagues were probably trying hard to say something other than "sounds like the music that I imagine college kids in the 70's used to listen to".

> Did you hear him live? no?

No. But if you do come to Tokyo and want to check it out I can take you to that venue. Would like to see what kind of place it is and good live music is always cool.

> I have heard that lyrics are "philosophical" true? untrue?

I didn't listen enough. I notice they have some of his lyrics in English for a recent album anyway on this Lyric Wiki site.

> and if I travel again to Tokyo I'll go and listen to him ( you join me ?)

Sure, let me know if you are coming this way.

polysena · Post by **polysena** » Tue Jan 15, 2013 12:05 pm

ahaha MomoKuro is hilarious.. not my style, but the Japanese barbie dolls are adorable...and they sing like barbie mermaids.. as for my Japanese colleagues.. our tastes clearly differ ${L_SMILIES_SMILE}$ they are Japanese guys and surely they like baby-dolls and geishas !!!

I believe after MomoKuro that I shall not renege on "old-style" (yes I see what you mean) Kazuki... on the contrary. Thank you for your kind and amusing answer. Buttoned-down & old-fashionned unprogressive Poly.

jslade · Post by **jslade** » Sun Jan 27, 2013 11:32 pm

Man, I haven't listened to any J-pop since I got sick of dissecting table.