🎉 KAWACHIAN’s debut album,
“HONA IKOKA,” is out now!
Featuring 12 songs selected from a catalog of more than 100 original works, the album brings memories of Kawachi, the warmth of its people, laughter, tears, and a unique perspective on life to listeners around the world as “Kawachi Soul.”
Listen to the album on your favorite music streaming platform. If a song catches your ear, we hope you’ll enjoy it all the way through!
The Moon Grows Drowsy｜Moon, don’t fall asleep just yet, ｜ KAWACHIAN – Kawachi Soul from Osaka, Japan
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🌿 KAWACHIAN 12 Weeks MV Release Project
12 selected songs from a catalogue of over 100 original works.
A new music video is released every 1–2 weeks.
After all 12 music videos are released,
The 1st Album will be available worldwide.
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♬♪ Moon, don’t fall asleep just yet, Stay a little longer, half awake. If our shoulders softly touch, That’s all I need—yes, that’s all I need.♩♫
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Masaki Wakabayashi, born and raised in Kawachi, Osaka, shares the spirit of Kawachi Soul with the world.
KAWACHIAN – Kawachi Soul from Osaka, Japan
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🎵 KAWACHIAN12th Song
The Moon Grows Drowsy
Written, Composed & Performed by
Masaki Wakabayashi
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Official Website
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“The Moon Grows Drowsy” is the 12th song from KAWACHIAN.
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※ About the visuals
The visuals in this music video were created with the assistance of generative AI technology.
The people, places and scenes are fictional artistic expressions created to represent the world of the song.
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English Lyrics
**The Moon Grows Drowsy**
A gentle breeze brushes over the tatami,
With a single fan, I send it your way.
Only laughter drifting from far away—
For tonight, that’s more than enough.
Moon, don’t fall asleep just yet,
Stay a little longer, half awake.
If our shoulders softly touch,
That’s all I need—yes, that’s all I need.
Your yukata sash has loosened a little,
Bare feet gliding along the veranda.
There’s really nothing we need to say,
Yet in the silence, my heart feels warm.
Moon, don’t fall asleep just yet,
Stay a little longer, half awake.
If our shoulders softly touch,
That’s all I need—yes, that’s all I need.
Tomorrow, life will hurry us along,
There may be days I can’t even call your name.
So for now, let time move slowly,
And let us quietly watch our shadows grow.
Moon, don’t fall asleep just yet,
Stay a little longer, half awake.
If our shoulders softly touch,
That’s all I need—yes, that’s all I need.
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website Every song is one chapter. Together they become the first album.
ほないこか(HONA IKOKA)｜今日がいちばん ええ日やん｜Today’s the best day to begin ｜ KAWACHIAN – Kawachi Soul from Osaka, Japan
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🌿 KAWACHIAN 12 Weeks MV Release Project
12 selected songs from a catalogue of over 100 original works.
A new music video is released every 1–2 weeks.
After all 12 music videos are released,
The 1st Album will be available worldwide.
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♬♪ Come on, let’s go, come on, let’s go Let’s start the things we’ve longed to do Come on, let’s go, come on, let’s go Today’s the best day to begin♩♫
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Masaki Wakabayashi, born and raised in Kawachi, Osaka, shares the spirit of Kawachi Soul with the world.
KAWACHIAN – Kawachi Soul from Osaka, Japan
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🎵 KAWACHIAN11th Song
HONA IKOKA
Written, Composed & Performed by
Masaki Wakabayashi
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Official Website
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“HONA IKOKA” is the 11th song from KAWACHIAN.
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※ About the visuals
The visuals in this music video were created with the assistance of generative AI technology.
The people, places and scenes are fictional artistic expressions created to represent the world of the song.
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English Lyrics
HONA IKOKA
(Come On, Let’s Go)
Before I knew it, the years went by
And my dreams lay boxed up out of sight
I turned over all those dusty things
And something there began to shine
I acted like I had forgotten
But deep inside, I’d always waited
Then a voice rose up within my heart
“It’s not too late—go on and try”
Come on, let’s go, come on, let’s go
Let’s start the things we’ve longed to do
Come on, let’s go, come on, let’s go
Today’s the best day to begin
Walking home along the shore
I saw something shining, washed by waves
A little shell, just like the ones
I treasured when I was a child
Where did all those old dreams go?
The truth is, nothing disappeared
From somewhere far beyond the waves
They’re calling me to meet them once again
Come on, let’s go, come on, let’s go
If you want to try, then let’s begin
Come on, let’s go, come on, let’s go
Let’s go and meet who we’ll be tomorrow
Hey! Hey!
Come on!
Come on, let’s go!
Good or bad can wait till later
If your heart says go, then start the journey
Hold the treasure that was sleeping
Turn the engine in your heart to fire
Who cares about yesterday or age?
Who decided that it’s far too late?
Tie your shoes and open up the door
Let’s run outside with a laugh
Come on, let’s go, come on, let’s go
Let’s start the things we’ve longed to do
Come on, let’s go, come on, let’s go
Today’s the best day to begin
Come on, let’s go, come on, let’s go
Let’s go and welcome back our forgotten dreams
Come on, let’s go, come on, let’s go
Let’s begin a brand-new today
Today’s the best day to begin
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website Every song is one chapter. Together they become the first album.
The first seed of “Eeyan Ka” was planted in my heart about 40 years ago.
The lyrics and melody as they are today did not yet exist. But something remained with me—the feelings I encountered in everyday life, human weakness and warmth, and the distinctly Osaka way of laughing at life and accepting that things do not always go as planned.
It did not immediately become a song.
As the years passed, I worked, lived, met many different people, experienced joy and worry, stumbled, and carried on.
Walking home through the station gates.
The comforting aroma of dashi drifting from a standing udon shop.
A sudden shower brings people together under the awning of a convenience store.
Strangers who would normally have nothing to say to one another begin talking—and before long, they are laughing together.
Over time, these ordinary scenes became intertwined with the feelings that had remained in my heart for 40 years. Now, at last, they have become a song called “Eeyan Ka.”
There are days when life simply does not go well.
There are days when your wallet is nearly empty, and days when you suddenly realize that you have already forgotten what troubled you yesterday.
But not everything has to be solved.
Even on an ordinary evening with nothing luxurious about it, a warm bowl of udon and a moment of laughter with someone can make life feel a little easier.
If you fall, you can always stand up again.
“Just being here and living—that is enough.”
These words are not meant only to encourage someone else.
They are also words I wanted to say to myself after living through so many years.
I am now 69 years old.
But age is not the reason I began singing.
A small seed that remained in my heart 40 years ago gathered memories and experiences along the way, and has finally become a song. That is why I am sharing it now as KAWACHIAN.
I hope “Eeyan Ka” brings a little warmth to someone at the end of a day when things did not go as planned.
The Guy Up on the Hill｜Desperately saying, “Hey, we’re alive,” ｜ KAWACHIAN – Kawachi Soul from Osaka, Japan
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🌿 KAWACHIAN 12 Weeks MV Release Project
12 selected songs from a catalogue of over 100 original works.
A new music video is released every 1–2 weeks.
After all 12 music videos are released,
The 1st Album will be available worldwide.
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♬♪ “Work? I couldn’t care less.” That kind of talk just puts folks off. Even when they tell him, “Get your act together,” He’s only listening to the voice of the wind.♩♫
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Kawachi Soul
Masaki Wakabayashi, born and raised in Kawachi, Osaka, shares the spirit of Kawachi Soul with the world.
KAWACHIAN – Kawachi Soul from Osaka, Japan
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🎵 KAWACHIAN10th Song
The Guy Up on the Hill
Written, Composed & Performed by
Masaki Wakabayashi
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Official Website
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“The Guy Up on the Hill” is the 10th song from KAWACHIAN.
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※ About the visuals
The visuals in this music video were created with the assistance of generative AI technology.
The people, places and scenes are fictional artistic expressions created to represent the world of the song.
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English Lyrics
Since morning, there he is again,
Sitting all alone up on the hill,
Doing nothing but staring at the sky,
Grinning away—that strange old guy.
“The guy up on the hill,” they say,
Laughing as they pass him by.
But you know, that guy understands—
Life is easier when you choose to smile.
“Work? I couldn’t care less.”
That kind of talk just puts folks off.
Even when they tell him, “Get your act together,”
He’s only listening to the voice of the wind.
“The guy up on the hill,” they say,
Pointing fingers, making him the joke.
But you know, that guy understands—
The most serious faces often cry the hardest.
Down by his feet, in the grass, tiny creatures—
Look closely, and they’re rushing everywhere.
Desperately saying, “Hey, we’re alive,”
Though no one ever notices.
Maybe they’re not so different from him.
“The guy up on the hill,” they say,
Rolling their eyes and leaving him alone.
But you know, that guy understands—
Time spent alone is something to treasure.
And once again, at sunset,
His shadow stretches across the hill.
He’s the only thing that hasn’t changed,
Just gathering a few more smile lines.
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website Every song is one chapter. Together they become the first album.
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Under the open sky｜ KAWACHIAN – Kawachi Soul from Osaka, Japan
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🌿 KAWACHIAN 12 Weeks MV Release Project
12 selected songs from a catalogue of over 100 original works.
A new music video is released every 1–2 weeks.
After all 12 music videos are released,
The 1st Album will be available worldwide.
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♬♪ Morning comes somehow,my heart feels a little restless.I step onto the balconywearing only a shirt.
A cat is yawningon the rooftop across the way,while the laundrydances softly in the breeze. ♩♫
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Masaki Wakabayashi, born and raised in Kawachi, Osaka, shares the spirit of Kawachi Soul with the world.
KAWACHIAN – Kawachi Soul from Osaka, Japan
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🎵 KAWACHIAN 6th Song
Under the open sky
Written, Composed & Performed by
Masaki Wakabayashi
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Official Website
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“Under the open sky” is the 6th song from KAWACHIAN.
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※ About the visuals
The visuals in this music video were created with the assistance of generative AI technology.
The people, places and scenes are fictional artistic expressions created to represent the world of the song.
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English Lyrics
Morning comes somehow,
my heart feels a little restless.
I step onto the balcony
wearing only a shirt.
A cat is yawning
on the rooftop across the way,
while the laundry
dances softly in the breeze.
Under the open sky,come on, it’s alright.
let’s leave the heavy talk for later.
Go ahead and laugh
like nobody’s watching.
Just watching the clouds
is more than enough today.
⸻
Riding my bicycle
down the station street,
the guy at the greengrocer
calls out to me,
“Working hard again today?”
I don’t know why,
but somehow
those simple words
make everything feel lighter.
Under the open sky,come on, it’s alright.
everyone has days
when nothing goes right.
Pretend no one’s looking.
At least you
should be kind to yourself.
⸻
I can’t run
like I used to.
But walking slowly,
I notice things
I never saw before.
Even the stones
I once stumbled over
have become little landmarks,
reminding me
how far I’ve come.
Under the open sky,come on, it’s alright.
what’s already gone
can stay in the past.
You don’t have to decide
everything today.
Let’s just let the wind
carry us for a while.
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website Every song is one chapter. Together they become the first album.
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Of Summer｜Twinkle, shimmer, sway, and glow
Summer night…｜ KAWACHIAN – Kawachi Soul from Osaka, Japan
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🌿 KAWACHIAN 12 Weeks MV Release Project
12 selected songs from a catalogue of over 100 original works.
A new music video is released every 1–2 weeks.
After all 12 music videos are released,
The 1st Album will be available worldwide.
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♬♪ Red lanterns gently sway Golden voices drift away Crooked smiles all blend as one
What’s real anymore? I can’t tell.Something shining behind the glass Touch it once—it fades so fast Only roughness on my hands Feels like all that’s left is real.♩♫
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Masaki Wakabayashi, born and raised in Kawachi, Osaka, shares the spirit of Kawachi Soul with the world.
KAWACHIAN – Kawachi Soul from Osaka, Japan
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🎵 KAWACHIAN9th Song
Of Summer
Written, Composed & Performed by
Masaki Wakabayashi
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Official Website
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“Of Summer” is the 9th song from KAWACHIAN.
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※ About the visuals
The visuals in this music video were created with the assistance of generative AI technology.
The people, places and scenes are fictional artistic expressions created to represent the world of the song.
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English Lyrics
(Twinkle, shimmer, sway, and glow
Summer night…)
Red lanterns gently sway
Golden voices drift away
Crooked smiles all blend as one
What’s real anymore? I can’t tell.
Something shining behind the glass
Touch it once—it fades so fast
Only roughness on my hands
Feels like all that’s left is real.
Round and round
Colors unwind
Dream or real
The line dissolves.
Light keeps falling, breaking free
Words are melting into me
Something laughing calls my name
Feels like I could go anywhere.
Light keeps drifting through the air
Words unravel everywhere
Something whispers through the night
From here, I’ll never make it back.
Strange old toys all line the shelves
Rolling eyes spin by themselves
Funny shapes are grinning wide
Warm somehow when they’re touched.
Beyond the sideshow curtain there
Something’s quietly watching me
Never seen it, yet somehow
It feels strangely like home.
Scared to look—
Still I cannot turn away.
Scents are drifting
Sounds are glowing
Dream or real
The border’s gone.
Light keeps falling, breaking free
Words are melting into me
Something laughing calls my name
Feels like I could go anywhere.
Light keeps drifting through the air
Words unravel everywhere
Something whispers through the night
From here, I’ll never make it back.
Round and round
Sparkling colors
Even my mind
Melts into one.
Light keeps falling, breaking free
Words are melting into me
Something laughing calls my name
Feels like I could go anywhere.
Light keeps drifting through the air
Words unravel everywhere
Something whispers through the night
From here, I’ll never make it back.
Twinkle and shimmer
Swaying with scent
The summer night…
Still goes on.
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And yet,perhap someone will trace it with a fingertip.
As I quietly close the paper,I whisper once more—
“Today will be calm again.”
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website Every song is one chapter. Together they become the first album.
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Silver Hammer｜Silver Hammer (No, No)｜ KAWACHIAN – Kawachi Soul from Osaka, Japan
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🌿 KAWACHIAN 12 Weeks MV Release Project
12 selected songs from a catalogue of over 100 original works.
A new music video is released every 1–2 weeks.
After all 12 music videos are released,
The 1st Album will be available worldwide.
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♬♪ With a silver hammer — no, no.Smash your worries? — no, no.
You don’t need another sigh.Just a little tap, and you’ll start to smile.(Hey, here we go!)♩♫
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Masaki Wakabayashi, born and raised in Kawachi, Osaka, shares the spirit of Kawachi Soul with the world.
KAWACHIAN – Kawachi Soul from Osaka, Japan
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🎵 KAWACHIAN8th Song
Written, Composed & Performed by
Masaki Wakabayashi
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Official Website
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“Silver Hammer” is the 8th song from KAWACHIAN.
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※ About the visuals
The visuals in this music video were created with the assistance of generative AI technology.
The people, places and scenes are fictional artistic expressions created to represent the world of the song.
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English Lyrics
Silver Hammer (No, No)
You sure look happy, what’s going on?
Scratchin’ away with your pen all day long.
Shoulders so heavy, your eyes half asleep,
Still there’s a smile that you just can’t keep.
With a silver hammer — no, no.
Smash your worries? — no, no.
You don’t need another sigh.
Just a little tap, and you’ll start to smile.
(Hey, here we go!)
⸻
The neighbor next door keeps mumblin’ low,
“Nothin’ in my life is workin’, you know.”
Here, take this thing—it’s shining bright.
Tap your heart once, it’ll be all right.
With a silver hammer — no, no.
Forget their judgment — no, no.
Yesterday’s mistakes? Let them go.
Just a little tap, then follow the wind.
(Come on now!)
⸻
On nights when tears are ready to fall,
Don’t beat your heart against the wall.
Just tap it softly with your fingertips.
Take one slow breath before your lips.
Before you shout, just wait a beat,
Say, “That’s life,” and let it be.
⸻
With a silver hammer — no, no.
Don’t blame yourself — no, no.
Laugh and say, “Well, I’m just me.”
One little tap… tomorrow will come.
(Yeah, that’s the way!)
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And yet,perhap someone will trace it with a fingertip.
As I quietly close the paper,I whisper once more—
“Today will be calm again.”
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website Every song is one chapter. Together they become the first album.
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Safe Driving｜I’m watching Only now｜ KAWACHIAN – Kawachi Soul from Osaka, Japan
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🌿 KAWACHIAN 12 Weeks MV Release Project
12 selected songs from a catalogue of over 100 original works.
A new music video is released every 1–2 weeks.
After all 12 music videos are released,
The 1st Album will be available worldwide.
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♬♪ Stop and go Turn around Little faster Ease it down
Eyes ahead Check behind Right here Right now I’m watching Only now♩♫
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Kawachi Soul
Masaki Wakabayashi, born and raised in Kawachi, Osaka, shares the spirit of Kawachi Soul with the world.
KAWACHIAN – Kawachi Soul from Osaka, Japan
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🎵 KAWACHIAN 7th Song
Safe Driving
Written, Composed & Performed by
Masaki Wakabayashi
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Official Website
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“SafeDriving” is the 7th song from KAWACHIAN.
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English Lyrics
Turn the key
Engine starts
Dashboard glows
Take my seat
Set the mirror
Slide the seat
Buckle up
Foot on brake
Shift in gear
Signal on
Touch the gas
Rolling out
Look to the right
Look to the left
One more look
Stop and go
Turn around
Little faster
Ease it down
Eyes ahead
Check behind
Right here
Right now
I’m watching
Only now
⸻
Red light shines
Press the brake
Wait a while
Green light comes
Touch the gas
Pick up speed
Cars in line
Keep the space
Maybe danger
Maybe clear
Better wait
⸻
Stop and go
Turn around
Still a little scared
Getting used to it
Eyes ahead
Check behind
Right here
Right now
Only now
⸻
Turn the wheel
Bring it back
Ease the brake
Touch the gas
Join the flow
Feel the flow
My body remembers
⸻
Stop and go
Turn around
Speed keeps changing
Back in balance
Eyes ahead
Check behind
Right here
Right now
I’m watching
Only now
⸻
Foot on brake
Come to rest
Engine off
Silence comes
But when it reflects
upon a clear and peaceful lake
that light becomes
even brighter
Don’t break anything
just leave it be
Comfort the sadness
inside your heart
If you can protect
your feelings with kindness
then a small light
will shine upon your cheeks
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
And yet,perhap someone will trace it with a fingertip.
As I quietly close the paper,I whisper once more—
“Today will be calm again.”
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
Around 1962–1965, Coca-Cola vending machines began appearing across Japan. Whenever I see one from that era, I am taken back to one unforgettable day from my childhood.
I was about five years old.
My mother worked at a large factory that manufactured plastic tableware and household products.
One year, the factory held its annual cultural festival.
As part of the celebration, there was a singing contest on a large stage set before nearly two thousand factory workers.
I was still in kindergarten.
Standing beside the stage, my mother watched me with a gentle smile.
As the live band began to play, I started singing “Furusato” (My Hometown).
“I chased rabbits over the hills…”
It was a children’s song.
Most of the performers that day were singing popular songs.
Perhaps my choice felt out of place.
Suddenly, a man with long hair, apparently drunk, shouted from the back of the audience.
“Get off the stage!”
For a brief moment, time seemed to stop.
Then something happened that I have never forgotten.
My mother rushed out from behind the stage.
Standing at the edge of the platform, without a microphone, she shouted across the entire hall with a voice so powerful that everyone fell silent.
“Say that again!
Come up here and say it to me!”
The music stopped.
The audience became completely silent.
The man lowered his head in embarrassment as the people around him tried to calm him down.
Then my mother turned toward me.
She bowed politely to the musicians and quietly said,
“Masaki…
Sing it again.”
The band began once more.
I sang “Furusato” from the beginning until the very end.
When I finished, the audience burst into warm applause.
As a participation prize, I received a double-walled plastic mug made at the very factory where my mother worked.
It was pale blue on the outside and white on the inside.
I was incredibly proud of that little cup.
Even today, I remember every detail of that afternoon as vividly as if it were a scene from a film.
After that day, “Furusato” became the song my mother, my younger sister, and I always sang together.
Years later, after my parents had long since divorced, I visited my father’s home.
He had built a new life with his new family.
That day, he picked up a harmonica and quietly played…
“Furusato.”
Then, about fifteen years ago, at my father’s funeral, the same melody filled the room once again.
For reasons I still cannot fully explain, I found myself overwhelmed with tears.
Perhaps it was because that song had quietly accompanied every important chapter of my life.
Looking back now, I realize that my journey as a singer did not begin on that stage.
It began with a mother’s courage,
and four simple words that have stayed with me ever since.
“Masaki… Sing it again.”
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