#hiroyuki itsuki

[anamon-book]

面白半分 1973年11月号 Half Serious Vol.24 Nov.73 五木寛之 編集 表紙絵＝米倉斉加年

[yoursweetvalo]

List of books and movies mentioned by Acchan!

Might post an anime version of this soon <3

BOOKS:

仮面の告白 “Confessions of a Mask” by Yukio Mishima (1949)

生きるヒント “Living Tips” by Itsuki Hiroyuki (1993)

斜陽 “The Setting Sun”  by Osamu Dazai (1947)

“The Picture of Dorian Gray” by Oscar Wilde (1890)

こころ”Heart” by Natsume Soseki (1914)

“Crime and Punishment” by Fyodor Dostoevsky (1866)

人間失格“No Longer Human” by Osamu Dazai (1948)

死霊“Death Spirits” by Yutaka Haniya (1948)

猫鳴り “Neko Nari” by Numata Mahokaru (2007)

“Coin Locker Babies” by Ryu Murakami (1980)

グロテスク “Grotesque” by Natsuo Kirino (2003)

“Notes from Underground” by Fyodor Dostoevsky (1864)

“The Brothers Karamazov” by Fyodor Dostoevsky (1879-1880)

“Salomé” by Oscar Wilde (1891)

破局 “Catastrophe” by Tono Haruka (2020)

新宿鮫 “Shinjuku Shark” by Arimasa Osawa (1990)

堕落論 “Discourse on Decadence” by Ango Sakaguchi (1946)

五分後の世界 “The World Five Minutes from Now” by Ryu Murakami (1994)

*Manga*悪魔の花嫁 “Bride of Deimos” by Etsuko Ikeda, illust. By Yuuho Ashibe (1974-1990)

九月が永遠に続けば “To Continue Forever in September” by Numata Mahokaru (2005)

彼女がその名を知らない鳥たち “Birds Without Names” by Numata Mahokaru (2006)

銀河鉄道の夜 “Night on the Galactic Railroad” by Kenji Miyazawa (1927)

怒り”Rage” by Shuichi Yoshida (2014)

悪人 “Villain” by Shuichi Yoshida (2007)

MOVIES:

The Green Mile by Frank Darabont (1999)

Bohemian Rhapsody by Bryan Singer (2018)

The Godfather by Francis Ford Coppola (1972)

Pierrot the Fool by Jean-Luc Godard (1965)

The Elephant Man by David Lynch (1980)

老ナルキソス Old Narcissus by Tsuyoshi Shouji (2023)

時計は生きていたThe Clock was Alive by Seijiro Kouyama (1973)

The Mission by Roland Joffé (1986)

Poongsan by Juhn Jai-Hong (2011)

Midnight FM by Kim Sang-man (2010)

Pusher by Nicolas Winding Refn (1996)

Misery by Rob Reiner (1990)

From Paris with Love by Pierre Morel (2010)

異人たちとの夏 The Discarnates by Nobuhiko Obayashi (1988)

Purple Noon by René Clément (1960)

Bonnie and Clyde by Arthur Penn (1967)

狂い咲きサンダーロード Crazy Thunder Road by Gakuryuu Ishii (1980)

Undo by Shunji Iwai (1994)

犬神家の一族  The Inugami Family by Kon Ichikawa (1976)

The Shawshank Redemption by Frank Darabont (1994)

The Brave by Johnny Depp (1997)

Antartica (Nankyoku Monogatari) by Koreyoshi Kurahara (1983)

Here is the link to my actual twitter thread, I update it every time I run into a new book or movie he has mentioned! The information to make this list was taken from several inerviews, radio programs, and even some of the Fish Tank Bulletins. If you know any other book/movie he has mentioned but is not here, do not hesitate to let me know!

ENJOY!

[yougetsu]

Books & B-T

Books/stories that might have inspired B-T lyrics or albums:

Salome by Oscar Wilde Midsummer Night's Dream by Shakespeare Hamlet by Shakespeare Mona Lisa Overdrive by William Gibson Neuromancer by William Gibson Solaris by Stanisław Lem Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep by Philip K. Dick Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Lewis Carroll Season in Hell Arthur Rimbaud The Stranger by Albert Camus Fantomas by Marcel Allain & Pierre Souvestre Locus Solus by Raymond Roussel Les Enfants Terribles by Jean Cocteau The Fall of Icarus by Ovid Dada Manifesto by Hugo Ball The Surrealist Manifesto by André Breton The Rosicrucian manifestos The Story of Little Black Sambo by Helen Bannerman JoJo's Bizarre Adventure by Hirohiko Araki Hearts by Kumi Himeno The Soul of the Night by Chet Raymo Vita Mechanicalis by Inagaki Taruho Akira by Katsuhiro Otomo

Books mentioned by Acchan:

Villain by Shuichi Yoshida A Collection of Crime Stories by Shuichi Yoshida Ikari by Shuichi Yoshida Kokuhou by Shuichi Yoshida Kokoro by Natsume Soseki Audition by Ryu Murakami Coin Locker Babies by Ryu Murakami The World Five Minutes From Now by Ryu Murakami No Longer Human by Osamu Dazai The Setting Sun by Osamu Dazai Hakyoku by Tono Haruka Kairyou by Tono Haruka Neko Nari by Numata Mahokaru Shibireru by Numata Mahokaru Kugatsu ga Eien ni Tsuzukeba by Numata Mahokaru Yurigokoro by Numata Mahokaru On Decadence by Sakaguchi Ango Confessions of a Mask by Yukio Mishima  Death Spirits by Yutaka Haniya Living Tips by Itsuki Hiroyuki Grotesque by Natsuo Kirino Shiki by Fuyumi Ono Bride of Deimos written by Etsuko Ikeda & illustrated by Yuho Ashibe The Flowers of Evil by Charles Baudelaire The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky Notes from the Underground by Fyodor Dostoevsky Night on the Galactic Railroad by Kenji Miyazawa Gedou no uta by Daisuke Watanabe Tokkou no shima by Satō Shūhō

Other authors mentioned by Acchan:

Junji Ito Randi Taguchi Ryunosuke Akutagawa Yasunari Kawabata Natsuhiko Kyogoku Ayatsuji Yukito Sakuraba Kazuki Nobuyuki Fukumoto Hermann Hesse Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Sources:

nopperabou.net Jrockarchive This is not greatest site Buck-Tick Zone Vk BT group Book list gathered by fans (twt) FT bulletins Ongaku to hito interviews Kurumi chan no Heya (FM COCOLO) B-T profiles through the years I've saved Personal scans & magazines

Feel free to add more books/novels/mangas <3

[stony-cat]

"Dĩ nhiên, sẽ tuyệt vời biết bao nếu ta xác định được mục đích hay mục tiêu trong đời và rồi chinh phục được nó. Nhưng mong bạn hãy hiểu rằng dù không đạt được bất cứ thành tựu nào đi chăng nữa, sự tuyệt vời của sự sống cũng vẫn vẹn nguyên.

Chỉ riêng việc "sống" đã có nghĩa là đang đấu tranh với rất nhiều thứ, đang nỗ lực hết sức để bảo vệ chính mình, đồng thời đang thích nghi, hòa hợp cùng thiên nhiên và môi trường xung quanh. Hãy trân trọng sự kiên cường của sự sống!"

- Chỉ sống thôi là đã đủ tuyệt vời | Itsuki Hiroyuki

Artwork by mi_na_ha_mu

[best-underrated-anime]

Best Underrated Anime Group I Round 1: #I8 vs #I1

#I8: Magical girl club gets silly and depressing

In her everyday life, Yuuna Yuuki is a hero. As proof, she is in her middle school's Hero Club, where she does her best to help others and bring a smile to everyone's face.

But Yuuna, always up to any task, is about to become an even bigger hero. Mysterious destructive forces called Vertexes begin threatening the world she loves, and the Hero Club is called upon by a strange phone app to save it. Along with her best friend Mimori Tougou, as well as sisters Fuu and Itsuki Inubouzaki, they must transform into magical girls in order to battle the Vertexes.

#I1: The 86 are forced to fight someone else’s war.

According to the Republic of San Magnolia, their ongoing war against the Giadian Empire has no casualties—however, that is mere propaganda. While the silver-haired Alba of the Republic's eighty-five sectors live safely behind protective walls, those of different appearances are interned in a secret eighty-sixth faction. Known within the military as the Eighty-Six, they are forced to fight against the Empire's autonomous Legion under the command of the Republican "Handlers."

Vladilena Milizé is assigned to the Spearhead squadron to replace their previous Handler. Shunned by her peers for being a fellow Eighty-Six supporter, she continues to fight against their inhumane discrimination. Shinei Nouzen is the captain of the Spearhead squadron. Infamous for being the sole survivor of every squadron he's been in, he insists on shouldering the names and wishes of his fallen comrades.

Titles, propagandas, trailers, and poll under the cut!

#I8: Yuuki Yuuna is a Hero (Yuuki Yuuna wa Yuusha de Aru)

Propaganda:

I adored this show from the moment I watched it because throughout it all, it’s hopeful. These girls go through a lot. A LOT. A lot of horrible, horrible things, and yet they bounce back. These girls bounce back pretty much every single time and do anything to help their friends do the same. To me, that is insanely inspiring.

The cast of characters here are also insanely compelling. They feel like actual, real friends—doing things together, hanging out, comforting each other and laughing with them all the same. This point I feel helps that sense of hope this show has absolutely.

The character designs in general too are absolutely breathtaking, and are nothing like I’ve ever seen from any other magical girl anime. Also, one last thing: this show’s soundtrack is done by MONACA. MONACA is also known for doing the first two NieR games. Take that what you will :)

Trigger Warnings: Flashing Lights, Self-Harm, Suicide

#I1: 86 (Eighty-Six)

Propaganda:

The characterization and character development in this show is amazing. It also has a very good depiction of survivor’s guilt/mental health, which you don’t see a lot. The animation is great and the soundtrack is done by Hiroyuki Sawano, who’s amazing and it’s one of the best soundtracks for a show ever.

Trigger Warnings: Child Abuse, Graphic Depictions of Cruelty/Violence/Gore, Racism, Suicide.

A main subject of the show is racism. Active war, lots of violence. Character acts without regard for their life, so suicide was included. Child abuse relates to the backstory of a character.

If you’re reblogging and adding your own propaganda, please tag me @best-underrated-anime so that I’ll be sure to see it.

[queensharotto]

Translating NORN9: Hiyokos

Welcome back to “Translating NORN9”, where I translate NORN9 content!

Today I’m going to translate the Hiyoko Page. As a bit of trivia, all of the Hiyokos share thier VAs with the main characters

The Hiyokos living in Norn

These hiyokos take care of the personal belongings of those who board the Norn. However, no one knows their identities.

Pu Hiyoko

Voiced by: Takuya Sato (Masamune’s VA)

Pu Hiyoko has no particular role and always sits outside relaxing. He is dazed as if he doesn't care if he is thrown.

Maid Hiyoko

Voiced by: Ayumi Fujimura (Koharu's VA)

A solid Hiyoko who is good at cleaning rooms. When the bath is ready, she may come directly to notify the passenger.

Captain Hiyoko

Voiced by: Tomokazu Sugita (Ron's VA)

A Hiyoko piloting a Norn. With a scar on his forehead, wearing goggles and holding a cigar, he has a wild vibe.

Hiyocook

Voiced by: Ayahi Takagaki (Mikoto's VA)

This Hiyoko is in charge of managing ingredients and supporting passengers when they cook. They get angry when the passengers play instead of cook.

Librarian Hiyoko

Voiced by: Koji Yusa (Itsuki's VA)

A Hiyoko who manages Norn's library. Due to his timid personality, he doesn't pay attention to people who are making noise in the hall.

Reporter Hiyoko

Voiced by: Mitsuki Saiga (Sakuya's VA)

A Hiyoko who works as a reporter for the "HYC Channel". He is too enthusiastic and sometimes annoys others...

Cameraman Hiyoko

Voiced by: Daisuke Ono (Natsuhiko's VA)

He works as a dedicated cameraman for the "HYC Channel" and always supports the Reporter Hiyoko from behind.

Doctor Hiyoko

Voiced by: Asami Seto (Nanami's VA)

A Hiyoko that examines a passenger when he or she is sick. As an experienced doctor, they immediately respond to any disease.

Programmer Hiyoko

Voiced by: Hiroyuki Yoshino (Heishi's VA)

A Hiyoko who manages programs related to Norn. When it speaks, it chirps in a low, machine-like voice.

Introverted Hiyoko

Voiced by: Hiro Shimono (Senri’s VA)

A Hiyoko with a birthmark under his eye that appears in a dream. His feeble squeak and troubled expression are very similar to Senri's.

Hiyoko?

Voiced by: Noriaki Sugiyama (Akito's VA)

A Hiyoko that can catch fish. Its appearance is so confusing that Akito worries about it, but it is a chick, and if he is mistaken, he will be hurt and go insane.

White Hiyoko

Voiced by: Yuki Kaji (Kakeru's VA)

A white Hiyoko made by Natsuhiko and powered by AI. Using the green board it has, it acts as Mikoto's caretaker while having a conversation.

[ikemenfangirl]

NORN9: VAR COMMONS (English Version) for Nintendo Switch

The secrets of the Norn in this sci-fi adventure.

━━━━━━━━━━━━ Title: Norn9: Var Commons By: Aksys Games, Idea Factory Platform: Nintendo Switch Website: https://aksysgames.com/norn9/ ━━━━━━━━━━━━

Board a mysterious ship and go on a journey with three young women and nine men to uncover the secrets that lie in the Norn.

★ CAST

Koharu CV : Fujimura Ayumi (Protagonist) ：Yuiga Kakeru CV : Kaji Yuki ：Ichinose Senri CV : Shimono Hiro ：Toya Masamune CV: Sato Takuya

Kuga Migoto CV : Takagaki Ayahi (Protagonist) ：Asuma Natsuhiko CV : Ono Daisuke ：Nijo Sakuya CV : Saiga Mitsuki ：Kagami Itsuki CV : Yusa Koji

Shiranui Ayami CV : Seto Asami (Protagonist) ：Shukuri Akito CV : Sugiyama Noriaki ： Muroboshi Ron CV : Sugita Tomokazu ：Otomaru Heishi CV : Yoshino Hiroyuki

● 3 female protagonists ● 3 love interest per 1 protagonist

Aksys UK & EU Online Stores: http://bit.ly/n9vc_aksys

🔗 DOWNLOAD (eShop)

🇺🇸 US : https://www.nintendo.com/store/products/norn9-var-commons-switch/

🇬🇧 UK : https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Games/Nintendo-Switch-games/Norn9-Var-Commons-2353596.html

★ Norn9: Last Era is coming in this Summer

━━━━ NORN9 ━━━━

STEAM version (Japanese / Chinese) https://store.steampowered.com/app/952150/NORN9/

MOBILE version (Japanese) iOS: https://itunes.apple.com/jp/app/id1005372744 Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=jp.co.ideaf.norn9vcsmp

[enfantsterriblestokyo]

「First Love 初恋」(Netflix) 2022年11月24日〜

Official Site

Official Trailer

Teaser Trailer

[Cast]

Hikari Mitsushima / Takeru Satoh

Rikako Yagi / Taisei Kido

Kaho

Minami / Akiyoshi Nakao

Towa Araki / Aoi Yamada

Itsuki Nagasawa / Jiei Wakabayashi

Makiko Watanabe / Takashi Okabe

Morio Agata

Ren Sudo

Kanji Furutachi

Daisuke Kuroda / Shingo Mizusawa

Osamu Mukai

Gaku Hamada

Kyoko Koizumi

[Staff]

Written & Directed by : Yuri Kanchiku

Cinematographers : Kazuma Shinde / Junichi Nakamura

Lighting : Jin Kobayashi

Sound Recordists : Masahito Yano / Yoshifumi Kureishi

Art Department Coordinator : Nori Fukuda

Production Designer : Yoko Sagae

Set Decorator : Tetsuya Nomura

Costume Designer : Babymix

Hair & Make-up Artists : Takeharu Kobayashi / Aina Hanada

Make-up Artist : Yuko Shimada

First Assistant Directors : Shinya Masuda / Kimiyoshi Adachi

Production Manager : Kota Suemitsu / Taisuke Oku

Post Production Supervisor : Tetsuo Ohya

VFX Supervisor : Koji Nozaki

Editorsr : Emi Onodera / Naoki Watanabe

Re-Recording Mixer : Hiroyuki Ishizaka

Sound Effects : Hiroki Matsuura

Music by : Taisei Iwasaki

Line Producer : Mikiya Sato

Executive Producer : Kaata Sakamoto

Producer :  Kasumi Yao

Production : C&I entertainment

Inspired by the songs “First Love” and “Hatsukoi” written by Hikaru Utada

[geidaicomposition]

Thursday Concert 2023 by Geïdaï Students - Department of Composition -

Date: Thursday, November 2th , 2023. 14:00-

Venue: Sogakudo of the former Tokyo Music School

Ticket: JPY500 reservasion required: 03-3824-1988(10:00 - 16:00). Information&Reservation

Program: 

1. Tatsuyuki Konuma, Writhe in agony... -for Soprano and 5 players-

Cond. Hiroyuki Nishimura Sop. Julia Shirakawa Fl. Marika Fujieda Tub. Tsubasa Shirai Pf. Hinako Saeki Koto Taisei Yoshikoshi Va. Tamaki Asano

2. Hanako Daigobo, In the passing shadow ~for 5 player ~

Cond. Daiki Omori Fl. Moe Hisada Cl. Kanae Kuriyama Vn. Fumiaki Kasai Vc. Mone Tanikawa Pf. Masataka Tozawa

3. Rokka Hashimoto, The cry of burning waves

Cond. Shinnosuke Ito 1st Vn. Chinatsu Tatsumi 2nd Vn. Hayato Kubota Va. Tamaki Asano Vc. Itsuki Kurakami Pf. Soichiro Tsuruhara

4. Rina Komatsu, Me or ...

Cond. Shinnosuke Ito Br. Kaito Fujita Fl. Taito Nagadome Perc. Tomoki Murata Koto Ryusei Shikano Vn. Mahiro Kurasawa Vc. Koshin Yamamoto

5. Yota Nakamura, Channels

Cond. Hiroki Okazaki Fl. Tomoki Okahara Cl. Rio Ishida Hrp. Marie Mikawa Perc. Mei Murase Va. Tamaki Asano Vc. Mone Tanikawa

Note: the order, the program and players are subject to change.

Organized by Art&Culture Foundation Of Taito, Fuculty of Music, Tokyo University of the Arts.

[keduyen]

"Dĩ nhiên, sẽ tuyệt vời biết bao nếu ta xác định được mục đích hay mục tiêu trong đời và rồi chinh phục được nó. Nhưng mong bạn hãy hiểu rằng dù không đạt được bất cứ thành tựu nào đi chăng nữa, sự tuyệt vời của sự sống cũng vẫn vẹn nguyên.

Chỉ riêng việc "sống" đã có nghĩa là đang đấu tranh với rất nhiều thứ, đang nỗ lực hết sức để bảo vệ chính mình, đồng thời đang thích nghi, hòa hợp cùng thiên nhiên và môi trường xung quanh. Hãy trân trọng sự kiên cường của sự sống!"

- Chỉ sống thôi là đã đủ tuyệt vời | Itsuki Hiroyuki

[anamon-book]

五木寛之 風の対話集 ブロンズ新社 装本＝郡幸男

[leenaevilin]

[Pics] ミュージカル『テニスの王子様』4thシーズン 青学vs聖ルドルフ・山吹 (musical tennis no oujisama 4th season seigaku vs sei rudolph gakuin・yamabuki)

main visual ↑↑↑ & visuals update under the cut^^

Cast:

SEIGAKU

Imamaki Hikaru as Echizen Ryouma (越前リョーマ)

Yamada Kento as Tezuka Kunimitsu (手塚国光)

Hara Takakazu as Ooishi Shuuichirou (大石秀一郎)

Mochida Haruki as Fuji Shuusuke (不二周助)

Shioda Ichigo as Inui Sadaharu (乾貞治)

Tomimoto Soushou as Kikumaru Eiji (菊丸英二)

Ootomo Kai as Kawamura Takashi (河村隆)

Houjuyama Shun as Momoshiro Takeshi (桃城武)

Iwasaki Yuuga as Kaidou Kaoru (海堂薫)

Ryouta as Horio Satoshi (堀尾聡史)

Shiraishi Kotobuki as Katou Kachirou (加藤勝郎)

Ichikawa Manato as Mizuno Katsuo (水野カツオ)

ST. RUDOLPH

Okumura Hitoshi as Akazawa Yoshirou (赤澤吉朗)

Mitsui Junpei as Mizuki Hajime (観月はじめ)

Kubo Yuudai as Yanagisawa Shinya (柳沢慎也)

Satou Rei as Kisarazu Atsushi (木更津淳)

Saezawa Shuuto as Nomura Takuya (野村拓也)

Ishihara Yueto as Fuji Yuuta (不二裕太)

Ninomiya Raimu as Kaneda Ichirou (金田一郎)

YAMABUKI

Kuwahara Shou as Minami Kentarou (南健太郎)

TAISEI as Sengoku Kiyosumi (千石清純)

Masunaga Takumi as Akutsu Jin (亜久津仁)

Haitsuka Soushi as Higashikata Masami (東方雅美)

Matsubara Rin as Nitobe Inakichi (新渡米稲吉)

Terashima Reon as Muromachi Touji (室町十次)

Uchino Fuuto as Kita Ichiuma (喜多一馬)

Hashimoto Yuuki as Dan Taichi (壇太一)

FUDOMINE

GAKU as Tachibana Kippei (橘桔平)

Maiguma Kousuke as Kamio Akira (神尾アキラ)

Tsuchiya Naotake as Ibu Shinji (伊武深司)

Kitadai Takashi as Inoue Mamoru (井上守)

TENIMYU BOYS

Oono Hiroyuki as Ikeda Masaya (池田雅也)

Akashi Riku Kurihara Itsuki Honma Kazuki

homepage twitter natalie

[ga-yuu]

YumeKuro~Character introductions~Meisters~1

1. World Exploration Guild~Moonwalker~

A world exploration guild that challenges all kinds of "unknowns.” A group of troublemakers who almost always cause trouble in the places they explore.

Members:

Kuro // クロウ VA.  Yuto Uemura (Orange Hair)

Noah // ノア VA.  Ayumu Murase (Short one)

Itsuki // イツキ VA.  Matsuoka Tsuijo (Blue hair)

Grandflare // グランフレア VA.  Kazuki Kato (Silver hair)

Rouge // ルージュ VA. Shouta Aoi (Pink hair)

2. Royal Guild~Dream Spinner~

A guild of top-notch craftsmen who only accept requests from royalty The guild's supreme philosophy is "We are the ones who make kings---king.”

Members:

Volks // フォルクス VA. Ryotaro Okiayu (Man in red coat)

Canaan // カナン VA. Jun Fukuyama (Blonde haired one)

Adele // アデル VA.  Eiji Takemoto (The one who looks like Azul’s big brother)

Merry Rose // メリーローズ VA. Hiroyuki Yoshino (Cross dressed one)

3. Magical Arts Guild~Magia Seminar

A four-member wizardry guild that deals with magic and sorcery The noisy voices of teachers and students echo in the small study hall.

Members:

Zion // シオン VA. Ishitani Haruki (Dark blue haired one)

Est // エスト VA. Souma Saito(The one who looks like he’s Azul’s dad.)

Kai // カイVA.  Taku Yashiro(Face masked one.)

Ghee // ギー VA.  Nishiyama Hongtaro(Green haired one.)

4. Gastronomic Guild~Gastronomy

A guild that pursues gastronomy from every possible angle. There is no one in the culinary world who does not know this name.

Members:

Oscar // オスカー VA.Takehito Koyasu (The one who looks like a businessman)

Kuchen // クーヘンVA. Yuichiro Umehara(Dark haired guy with red tie.)

Kui // キュイVA. Tomohito Takatsuka(Pink haired one.)

Riche // リッシュVA.  Katsuyuki Miura(Megane)

Walter // ヴァルターVA. Shunsuke Takeuchi(The one who looks like Mammon when he’s 28 years old.)

To be continued....

[dustedmagazine]

Kan Mikami – I’m the Only One Around (Black Editions)

Photo copyright Bryony McIntyre

I'm the Only One Around by Kan Mikami

As Black Editions unearths more albums from the P.S.F. Records catalog, it is becoming apparent just how wide a swathe that P.S.F. cut through the Japanese underground during its decades-long existence. Looking at it on a smaller scale, 2019’s Tokyo Flashback – Psychedelic Speed Freaks compilation features a staggering twenty-two of the label’s artists across many genres. The acid rock maelstrom that is Acid Mothers Temple sits next to the blistering free guitar of Marginal Consort’s Kazuo Imai; the expressive vocals of Keiko Higuchi are juxtaposed against the Velvets-inspired meandering of White Heaven. This is but a single example. Black Editions celebrates the diverse curatorial spirit of P.S.F. with each LP reissued.

In 1991, P.S.F. released I’m the Only One Around, their first from folk-blues musician Kan Mikami, who had been successful previously in the 1970s but whose stature had since waned. The world had changed: a new socio-political climate was brewing, and Mikami was appealing to a new generation of potential fans. As he describes in his book A Life in Folk, Mikami pivoted and began focusing on “the sound inside the words” rather than looking for "the meaning inside the words.” With this change in outlook, he entered a new, highly fruitful period in his career. He released eight albums in ten years, all with P.S.F. 

Mikami uses only his gravelly voice and a naked electric guitar to deliver these songs, which appear to revel in strife. The lyrics, littered with slang, deal with subjects as diverse as terrorist plots (“Shinanomachi Sisters”), familial relations (“Emperor of Half the Globe”), and picking up women (“Dance, Flower Hat!”). Or, if Hiroyuki Itsuki’s liner notes are accurate, the songs mean something altogether more arcane. Either way, Mikami delivers them with a tremendous amount of passion. At times he’s quiet and sombre, and at others he barks in anger. 

With but a bare electric guitar, Mikami punctuates his already highly charged songs with even more emotion. He strums out a morse code call for help between the verses of “Shinanomachi Sisters,” as if he’s the intended victim of the titular women’s crimes. Mournful chords rumble beneath his dejected growl on “Cow and Long Hair.” Traces of Americana can be heard in “Movie Number 69,” while “Black Point Hirano” is deeply rooted in the blues. Mikami is attuned to how a stripped-down setup can deeply affect the listener and uses this to add gravitas to the songs. 

Of course, this reissue carries the Black Editions standard for deluxe packaging and artwork. The cover is striking in black and gold, oddly resembling a monochrome version of Dark Side of the Moon. Reading the liner notes is like ingesting poetry. As with the rest of the titles in the series, I’m the Only One Around is striking homage to P.S.F., the prime mover of the Japanese underground. 

Bryon Hayes

[1five1two]

When you no longer have expectations, the unexpected kindness of others and small acts of consideration become like "sweet manna from heaven." The feeling that rises spontaneously within one's heart at such times is true gratitude. When one is accustomed to kindness, one can lose the feeling of gratitude. One must constantly return oneself to the spiritual starting point of no expectations.

Hiroyuki Itsuki