#but i watched like 3/4 of the ghibli movies during the summer and it healed me

[yourlocalsewerdragon]

being a freshman in highschool is so crazy

[chibalein]

Kalafina Harmony Vol. 4 - Wakana’s Solo Interview Translation

Hello! It’s been a while since I translated stuff, so I thought I’d give you the stuff from the latest Harmony magazine. Let’s see how far I come, today you get Wakana’s solo interview, which is almost only about her plant obsession. This is of course hightly outdated, now that her solo concert is over and her tour has started.

My Japanese ain’t perfect and neither is my English, so if I got something completely wrong, please tell me:) If you happen to use this translation for whatever, please tell your kind followers that I spent 2 hours browsing my translation apps for this. Thank you XD

Here is my post of the full harmony magazine sneak peak -> Click

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Wakana Solo Interview

Taking advantage of this recent situation, we will talk a lot about her room’s decorative plants! We also asked a little bit about her concert in August.

I feel like it has been a while since you talked like this with us… First, please tell us about your recent situation.

The other day I visited together with an artist friend the so-called “Green Marche” festival [I think it’s this farmer’s market like place in Koshigaya, Saitama]. It was open for two days, but one day I spent doing “location hunting” alone.

Wakana-chan, your room is steadily becoming a jungle, right? Did you pick up anything at the marche?

Yes! During my self-proclaimed location hunting, I bought some mint, celery and thyme. Since it’s turning summer and bugs are coming out, I thought of putting more herbs on my veranda as insect repellent. Also, my friend that accompanied me on the second day bought some celery too.

When you say celery, the celery you eat?

That’s right! I love celery. I also bought celery and basil for eating purposes and put them in my room.

What else?

Insectivorous plants! I’ve wanted a venus flytrap for a long time, but when I was looking for it, there was a much better insectivorous plant next to it. A pitcher plant! When I said “How cool!!” without thinking, an elegant madame next to me kindly said “Oh, there is a person that likes those?”. I asked “Aren’t they cool? You won’t buy them?”, and she replied “Well, every person likes different things. I will buy hydrangea” *laughs* [the “madame” is talking in an extremely lady-like/feminine way]. The madame took the potted hydrangea, I took the pitcher plant. It is now working next to the kitchen celery and basil!

Do you have many plants on your veranda?

Ever since it became spring, the numbers increase slowly. This season is lively, so the green is overflowing. When it becomes fall and winter, it will be a bit lonely though.

Do you spent time on your veranda even in winter?

In general yes. It’s said that “outside kids will be outside”. Now that you say it, the day before the 10th Anniversary Live at Budokan, there was a heavy snowfall, right?

When you went outside after rehearsal, the snow turned everything pure white *laughs*

Right! When I looked at my veranda after coming home, everything was buried in snow. I hurried to my plants and said “Whoa, are you ok?!”. After all, I brushed the snow away the whole time and evacuated the plants inside to watch over them for a while *laughs*

How many different plants do you have?

I decided for myself that I won’t by two plants of the same species, if possible. I thought this way it’s more fun… However, celery is an exception *laughs*

It seems like you have numerous herbs and decorative plants, but do you also own flowers and vegetables?

Growing flowers is difficult… They wither, when you give them too much water and so on. I tried many times, but they all withered… That’s why everything is green!

I see. Do you buy a lot at the green marche or at a flower shop?

Sometimes, sometimes they are being sold at interior stores, and I get the impression that 100-Yen shops have become good for that lately, too. Here live also many plants that come from a 100-Yen-shop. Ah, the one I introduced at the blog the other day is also from there. The pot is from a 300-Yen store. The greenery is healing me, so I raise them too.

So, Wakana-chan, you are raising the plants, but the plants also raise you.

That is certainly right!

I am embarrassed to say it, but I admire you for having so many plants in your room, I wonder where to start for myself. I feel like everything would wither for sure.

No way, it will be ok!

Are there any plants that even beginners can grow without worries?

I am not an expert, but I personally recommend pothos. Pothos rarely withers and it’s easy to care for. Cutting the stem and just putting it in a glass of water makes it very durable, and it’s very interesting to see the roots coming out quickly! The roots look a bit like Laputa *laughs* [should be a reference to the Ghibli movie „Castle in the Sky“]

I wanna see it!

In case of the potted plants, their care may be a bit difficult at the beginning, but you get used to it eventually. Depending on the season and the plant’s species, the intervals between watering them are different. But it’s alright, after you get used to it!! Also, if you start with the 100-Yen shop, even if it doesn’t go well, accept your defeat and you can try again with a cheerful feeling.

Right…

When buying plants, they will be sold in a vinyl pot, but you shouldn’t leave them like that in your room.

That is a also another high hurdle for a beginner. You have to buy stones, soil or a pot and plant it again…

No no, it’s fine if you don’t do it! My recommendation is, instead of a vinyl pot, buying a mug one size bigger and just putting the plant in there. After watering, pour away the excess water. I think it’s easier that way for people living alone too. You will see your plant every day, if you put it on your dining table. Then, you will be like “How cute~” and know its situation naturally. It doesn’t have to be a mug, enamel or tin plate mugs or wooden boxes also work.

I see… Beginners might fail, if they do it too genuinely in one go.

By doing it lightheartedly, I want everyone to have a life with greenery! I really recommend the mug greenery. The point is having a mug a little bigger [than the plant]. Just try your own favorite container. However, when you buy a plant, please watch it carefully. Are there any bugs on it? Does it look well? And so on.

Wakana-sensei… I think I might be able to do it!

When you think “Doesn’t it look a bit less lively?”, try to put it on your veranda or at a spot with sunlight. Or move your curtains. When humans feel very bad, instead of drinking energy drinks, isn’t it better to first get a good sleep? *laughs* Just like this, when you think your plants don’t look well, try to start from the basics.

I agree…

Ah, also you should have an atomizer. You spray water onto the leaves to water them. Muji [a big retail store chain in Japan] or other general stores just sell the container, so you can use it for your needs. Of course, you can use the stuff used by professional gardeners, but that’s expensive. You can get it from the 100-Yen shop, too…

I will try!

Please, I want all fanclub members to try as well! I also think “Let’s make my room full of green!”, although it has been about one year, when I started to increase the numbers of my plants, I wonder whether you all came to understand it~ In this second year, I will challenge myself with the insectivorous plants!

It’s really becoming like Nausicaa’s room *laughs* [reference to the 1984 anime “Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind”]

That’s my intention!

Just a question out of curiosity, you don’t sing songs to your plants, do you?

I don’t sing directly to them, but when I do singing excercises, I think they willfully listen *laugh*

I heard that “if you let them listen to Mozart, they will grow better”, so I wonder whether they grow better when they hear Wakana’s singing voice.

I would be great, if that’s the case *laughs* When I water them, I might automatically talk to them. “How are you feeling today? Hm, when I look at your soil…” Oh, is it scary? *laughs*

No way. I think it’s only natural when you have a pet or something.

That’s certainly true. If you take care of them properly, they respond to that and you can feel their vitality, so I think it’s really a good thing to have plants in your home. Saying it’s my reason for living my be a bit too much, but it gives me energy. It’s fun to get back home. Everyone, let’s have fun together!

Receiving reports like “After reading this, I started the greenery challenge”, it makes you surely happy. Anyway, I will start the challenge too! Furthermore, I can imagine that there are a lot of things to be decided from now on, but you will perform a symphony concert on August 11th, right?

It’s the first time performing Kajiura-san’s songs all alone, so I don’t know how it will turn out, but it is also my very first experience of performing with a full orchestra, so I am excited and scared as well… It’s been half a year since doing a live after all.

Your 10th Anniversary is full of first-time experiences!

It’s been my dream to sing along with an orchestra, so even for me it’s a surprise to have this chance. Others may have mixed feelings about me singing songs alone that the 3 of us have been singing together until now, but I think the same goes for me too, so it’s only natural to feel this way. As Kalafina’s Wakana who has been always singing Kajiura-san’s songs, I will choose songs that will put my feelings of “I want the audience to feel delighted” into effort!

From left to right:

A make-up that fits the bright and gorgeous clothes.

Taking photos while confirming the lighting and posing.

Smiling without thinking while exchanging with the camera man <3

A frame that was lying in the photo studio. You wanna decorate!?

During shooting always so peaceful. I can’t resist her laughing voice.

How about a photo that makes the best of the natural atmosphere?

Wakana’s recommendations for beginner! GREEN

[upper white box] Introducing Wakana’s carefreely growing plants! Aside the introduction of those, there are many many types of plants, but this time, we chose to show plants that are recommended for beginners!

[middle small green box] (from the left) Japanese aralia, peperomia, kapok. Bought at the 100-Yen shop. They grow without troubles.

[bottom left green box] Different types of ivy. The left photo shows “golden child”, from the left at the upper picture is “light finger” [not sure how to translate this] and “Mona Lisa” (*´.w.)>”.  On the right photo is “hedera” (ivy’s official name). Ivy is also relatively easy. There are many types, so you can have fun by choosing your favorite leaf design. Their roots will quickly grow longer!

[bottom right green box] The roots are getting out from below the pot, if you always add one cup of water this system will automatically suck up water! Convenient!