2019 Birthday wishes for my favorite niece — Miss Yuki Kashiwagi!

Her time zone is twelve hours ahead of mine, so I wanted to send this out before her birthday cake is shared!

Yuki Kashiwagi (柏木 由紀 Kashiwagi Yūki) was born July 15, 1991) in Kagoshima, Japan. Her home city is on the western tip of the island of Kyushu. It is the largest city in the Kagoshima Prefecture. Yukirin grew up in the shadow of the emblematic stratovolcano, Sakurajima. There are not a lot of songs about volcanoes, but Yuki is famous for singing one! (LINK HERE) for her first solo performance. Remember my old Sakurajima postcard?

Enough of the geography lesson. Today is your special day Yukirin. My you have grown more and more beautiful every year young lady.

You have made your Uncle Denny very proud!

Enjoy the day Yukirin. I have to wonder how long you will be an Idol, but that is your decision. Please keep us informed on your Instagram and Facebook! (Makes me wish I had not been banned from Facebook.) See the links below —

https://www.instagram.com/yukikashiwagi_official/

https://www.facebook.com/YukiKashiwagiOfficialPage/

STARLIGHT: 28 years old! How has she kept it zipped up all these years?)

 

 

IDOL HISTORY 101 – Part 27: Onyanko Club’s controversial song.

Before there was AKB48, the groups’ boss Mr. Yasushi Akimoto produced another group of young idols! Onyanko Club was popular in the 1980s. The group had 52 members, and arguably became the template for many idol groups which followed.

I stumbled upon this video posted by a user on YouTube, and wanted to share it. The song is “Sailor fuku wo nugasanaide”.  It stirred a little controversy back then, as you will see here —  teenage girls are singing about their sexuality. Hmmm … Young girls singing songs with suggestive lyrics – who would of thunk it? The song is actually kinda innocent by today’s standards.

Parents: Teenagers really do not think about sex and discuss it with their friends do they? There is an academic point in there to discuss I suppose. I like the clip because it is just so damn goofy. What a time -warp. It is yet another reason why I think Japanese popular culture can be at times so darn cute  … from my  foreign perspective. It is all starlight to me remember. If you are fan of Japanese music, this clip it should be an important part of idol history. The video is sub-titled in English for your pleasure …

(Spoiler: Don’t worry grown-ups — it all ends all OK. The protagonist really does not do it.) 

AKB48 paid tribute to Onyanko Club and covered the song. Thank you YouTube user. Note that it is an older AKB show clip – when the group was at its peak … (cough) when Acchan was still the center. So many of my old favorites were there — Shinoda-san and Tomochin, etc. I’d rather not get into a pissing contest as to whether the group is now past their peak – just enjoy the nostalgia.

Nostalgia embedded in nostalgia perhaps!

Starlight: This video will disappear in 5 … 4… 3… 2…

I know, Iwasa Misaki just announced her graduation …

Darn the luck – my computer monitor went out last week. I had no way to check or compose or read any social media posts all weekend. I needed to obtain information about the Iwasa Misaki solo concert on January 30^th.  What could I do? I was so bored I even watched American TV. My friend Bob will verify that there was very little Wasamin coverage in the Cleveland Plain Dealer. … and they totally missed this great poster:

The cool art poster for the concert.

Turns out … drum roll … Wasamin announced her GRADUATION during this concert!

Well, you would think I would be a big pile of sobbing jelly hearing this news. (Scoffs) I am NOT. I cannot say that I am happy about it, but it was not unexpected. Miss Iwasa has been with AKB48 for a long time, so it does not surprise me that she would make the announcement at her first solo concert. It was her 21st Birthday too.

Misaki-san + Cake = Denny’s Happiness

I thought that she might graduate after that last AKB election. Ahem … Wasamin did not even RANK in the 2015 election. I could not believe that she was shut out of the top 80 members in the 48Family. (cough) … especially when lesser singers (cough cough) were so highly ranked. What an injustice that night was. I must have kicked over every trash can in Akihabara that night (or would have.)

According to various news reports*, Misaki-san will leave to pursue an Enka-singing career. I know she will be great, and it is mainly though her that I have been turned on to the genre.

I think that she would be good in any genre. She can handle any Jpop or rock song out there.  I hope that she finds the right team of songwriters and producers. I wonder if she will continue with Yasushi Akimoto’s songs. Maybe she will dabble in some songwriting herself. Whatever she decides, I will support her.

I am also hoping that there will be a DVD of her solo concert, and that there will be a DVD available for the AKB48 concert in which she graduates. So many in the family have announced graduation, they could all be funneled into one big show. Will Mr. Akimoto compose a special graduation song just for Wasamin? (Maybe.) Will Miss Iwasa finally get to center an AKB48 single? (Ha … NOT likely.)

At this writing, I am still hoping to find more photos and information from the concert Saturday night, and will post them accordingly. Really, any memorabilia would be great. I am willing to dumpster-dive through Tokyo’s recycling if need be.

Fellow bloggers had posted these:

Yes, my feelings on the last election too . Oh, OK … not that one.

I may be feeling a tear myself, Wasamin.

I wish Wasamin the best. (Denny sighs) She can move on to other things now … she will probably be dating soon.

(Ahem) … I hope she finds a nice guy who will support her, and treat her well (… choke….sniffle ). I think that she deserves to have a good man … (choke) … and she will probably get married in a couple of years … (Denny beginning to sob)…

I also think she will make a good mother someday  … (Denny’s tears flowing uncontrollably now) … she will raise a happy home … full of music and laughter … and she will teach her kids to sing songs … there will be a lot of love (um … gulp.) … and happiness in the household … her husband will love her and cherish her … good for you Wasamin (Denny starts to lose it) … I will be happy for you ….

Waaa …. (Denny starts crying like Lucy Ricardo)

Starlight: Can one of you help me up off the floor?

* http://akbzine.com/2016/01/30/iwasa-misaki-announces-graduation/

http://akb48-daily.blogspot.com/2016/01/iwasa-misaki-announces-graduation.html

http://www.jpop-idols.com/en/iwasa-misaki-graduation-akb48/

http://www.nikkansports.com/entertainment/akb48/news/1598742.html

http://www.tokyohive.com/article/2016/01/akb48s-iwasa-misaki-announces-graduation

The Cleveland Plain Dealer? Nothing.

Denny Re-Blogs: AKB48 group seijin shiki “coming-of-age” ceremony 2016 (from AKB48 Daily)

AKB48 Daily has posted some images and videos from “Coming of Age Day” on 11 January 2016 at Kanda Shrine in Tokyo, as well as some presentations from the AKB Theater.

Source: AKB48 group coming-of-age ceremony 2016 | AKB48 Daily

I will try to post more kimono photos of the events as I find them. (I may have to edit, and re-post this again later, sorry.)

Until then, please enjoy this gallery:

Starlight: 2016

Wasamin: I still can’t help but “fanboy” all over her…

The wind has been knocked out of Denny’s sails, so he has not posted in several weeks.  I have not even logged in for a couple of weeks (sorry). The weasels in the Japanese music industry have made it extremely hard to be a fan.

I don’t blame the artists, I don’t blame the girls – just the management dickweeds. (Well, that would describe 99% of the music industry in America too).

Thus, this is the dream I had: … as I approach the Japanese islands in my Black Ship … a lone Samurai (who looks a lot like Toshiro Mifune, by the way) is waving his sword on the beach and shouting (in English, oddly).

I know, I saw “Red Lion” too.

GET AWAY FROM HERE!!

THERE ARE NO “IDOLS” HERE!!!!

THERE ARE NO IDOLS … ONLY MULES!!!

… THAT’S RIGHT — WE ONLY HAVE MULES … GO AWAY!!!

IF YOU TRY TO LOOK AT ONE OF MY MULES I WILL CUT YOU DOWN!!!!!!

Ahem … needed some coffee after that…

Still, I can’t help but “fanboy” all over the delightful Miss Iwasa Misaki-san. Here she is on that Japanese variety TV show. I don’t know the same of it, all I know is that she is a frequent guest, and often sings “Enka” ballads while she wears an amazingly beautiful kimono.

Well, she is not wearing a kimono here, but she sings this wonderful “traditional” Japanese song.

Note the junior high kids from that popular anime about the junior high school band “Hibike! Euphonium” are there — IN REAL LIFE!

http://myanimelist.net/anime/27989/Hibike!_Euphonium

Well, there will probably not be a Christmas song from Miss Iwasa, so this will have to do. I think it has a very “holiday” feel. Please enjoy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWH8VGWN3pM

Happy Holidays if I don’t see you …

Starlight: Lots of parenthesis!

See more Misaki-san on my Pinterest board for her linked here.

Also see more Mifune-san on my board for him here !

 

KIMONOS ON MONDAY: I could not have a more wonderful daughter than Sakura-tan.

I think that Sakura Miyawaki is the “bestest” daughter than anyone could ever wish for.

This charismatic young Idol has grown to be a multi-talented young lady. Sometimes when she is on stage and does a typical Sakura-pose with a goofy face, I have to wonder if she is really TRYING to be that cute, or is that just the way she is.

Sakura-tan is cute AND wholesome.  I do get a little protective of her sometimes. I know she is popular with all the boys in high school. These magazine covers and photo shoots she does – well, it can make a Dad worry.

Sakura has a good head on her shoulders, though. She apparently can handle the sudden rise to fame. I taught the little lady how to use a firearm … just in case.

I hope you enjoyed this Sakura-Slide-Show.  What is your favorite Sakura moment?

Reality Check: Actually, Sakura’s parents were against her becoming an idol at first. They must have been so worried for her. It was Sakura’s GRANDMOTHER Emiko who encouraged her.

Please see this link for some great English-subbed Sakura history. The images video of her acting in school plays as a little girl are precious and priceless!

http://ukn48.com/ukn48-150603-miyawaki-sakura-musume-wa-idol/

Starlight: My heart is as warm as a thousand Suns after watching that.

See more Miyawaki-san on my Pinterest board for her linked here.

KIMONOS ON MONDAY: SKE48 Trading Cards.

Fan me off Jurina Matsui!

It still feels like July where I live, so I am going to try and cool down with a photo card collection of SKE48 members wearing lovely yukata.

Please enjoy this photo gallery of SKE48 Trading Cards, 2015. OK, everyone get your fans ready …

Notice that every time this page loads, the the mosaic changes.

Rena Matsui.

Rena graduated SKE48 and the AKB48 Family in August, 2015. Is this the end of the Matsui-to-Matsui axis? Who will step up — to team up — with Jurina and become the new “dynamic duo” within SKE?

Matsui squared — Rena and Jurina (no relation).

Starlight: I may have to travel to the planet of the Cold Turkeys for some time …

KIMONOS ON MONDAY: Squeezing out some sweetness with Mion Mukaichi

Time to cool down this blazing hot summer with some light colored floral kimonos, and some creamy sweetness of AKB48 member Mion Mukaichi.

I mean that ice cream thing young Miion is holding …

Papico is a brand of Japanese ice cream treats. Seen here is the “Chocolate Coffee” flavor, although Miion knows that my favorite is “Vanilla Shake” flavor. The company also makes several “seasonal” and “special” flavors each year.

This is an unusual way to package an ice cream treat! Each pack contains two plastic “bottles” that must be broken and twisted open.  When I first saw this photo, I did not know the package was ice cream. The top of the bottle looks to me like some type of ladies razor, good for trimming certain sensitive areas, well … you know.  My mind wanders when I get hungry.

Papico is popular with both kids and adults, despite the odd packaging. The reward is you can suck out the sweetness from the bottle – but don’t be greedy. You can share the other one. Warning: There are stories of  ice cream lovers who have damaged their gums on the plastic, trying to suck out the last, small amounts of sweetness.

Everyone should be as open to trying new things like this 17-year old Team K member.

I chose Miion because of her sandals!

Miion is wearing a perfect summer kimono combo here. Her hair ornaments and sandals fit the outfit perfectly.

Perfect for sharing with another member. “Everybody Suck” indeed (non-kimono song). Also enjoy how lovely the other members were this day!

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For more AKB48 members in colorful kimonos see this TV commercial linked here.

http://papico.glico.com/cm/15papico_cm2_30.html

Starlight: Mion Mukaichi 向井地 美音   (Mukaichi Mion) born January 29, 1998 in Saitama Prefecture.

KIMONOS ON MONDAY: Looking into the future with Emi Takei

Emi Takei is one of the most popular Japanese actresses. She has appeared in dozens of films, including the great Rurouni Kenshin live action films. Is there any actress who looks better in a kimono?

Remember that you saw these kimonos here first! Commander Sulu from the USS Excelsior was able to “beam back” these images from her 2016 kimono collection. Oh my …

Actually, George — if you wanted it to rhyme, shouldn’t you say: “Oh – MAY”. Everyone else, just enjoy this refection from the future.

I also invite you to warp ahead to 2017, to enjoy this slideshow:

No Kidding, each photo is more lovely than the next. It is very hard to pick a favorite! Emi Takei all the way!

Emi Takei — my last K.O.M. in May!

Starlight: Don’t worry about all of that light speed, space-time continuum science stuff, just enjoy the kimonos!

 

Reminder to Vote 4 Iwasa Misaki

Wasamin gives her appeal speech here. She says it all.

When you buy your multiple copies of the 41st single, please save one vote for the great Iwasa Misaki. Yeah, I know, I know.

Do I think that she will win? No.

Do I think that she will finish in the top 10? No.

Is it all just a popularity contest?  Well, yes indeed it is. However it is not a SINGING contest. A lot of factors come together to make an Idol a favorite. Sometimes it is a combination of cuteness, sexiness, roles they play, etc.

Are YOU going to vote based on singing talent? Hmmm?

My gut feeling is if she finishes very low this year she will announce her graduation.

Now the young lady is NOT washed up at age 20! She should have a pretty good singing career after AKB. I am hoping that she will finish high enough that she will continue with the group, however — and I also hope that the group will give her a larger singing role within the group.

My other gut feeling (and I have a lot of gut I have been told), is that her Enka-singles have actually hurt her rank in AKB. Since she releases solo material on a regular basis, she is not often a focus for the AKB singles. Perhaps some fans do not see her as part of a team.

If she could win the Janken-tournament, then she would get another shot at a larger, but non-Enka singing role.

If she graduates I hope that she continues to pursue an Enka-singing career.

Want is my fantasy? Come ‘er… (Denny whispers in your ear:)  I would like to see a collaboration between Iwasa Misaki and Hanako Oku. Wait, it is not all that far-fetched. Wasamin has said in interviews that she is a fan of Hanako Oku. They are both from Chiba, Japan. True, Oku-san is nearly twice Wasamin’s age, but I think they would be a good team. Oku could write the songs and Wasamin could sing them. Think Simon and Garfunkel (only with songs you might actually want to listen to). Sometimes Hanako Oku is criticized for her singing strength. I do not agree, but no doubt the young Misaki has a stronger voice, and would probably be a pretty good interpreter of Oku songs.

I know what you are going to ask: Denny aren’t you just imagining your top two fantasy women together?

Well no … and I would not do that.

Starlight: AKB48 41st single selection General Election preliminary results will be announced at Takahashi Team A LIVE performance on AKB48 theatre at 20 May 2015.

PS: We have to have some music. I found an English traslation of “Abayo” here.