Isshi's Road Through History: the way of Kagura
Part 7: "Shin・Hyakkiyakou"
Part 7: "Shin・Hyakkiyakou"
It's absolutely terrifying, the things nesting within the hearts of humans―――.
Recorded on Kagrra's album "Core" which was released on January 9th, there's a song called "Shin・Hyakkiyakou". Yes, it's the sequel to "Hyakkiyakou," the famous song with an interesting story. Therefore, as the seventh installment of the irregular series "Isshi's Road Through History: the way of Kagura", the chosen theme was this "Shin・Hyakkiyakou." Because this is Isshi who has knowledge of that world, we can personify it, and thoroughly enjoy the strange world.
Recorded on Kagrra's album "Core" which was released on January 9th, there's a song called "Shin・Hyakkiyakou". Yes, it's the sequel to "Hyakkiyakou," the famous song with an interesting story. Therefore, as the seventh installment of the irregular series "Isshi's Road Through History: the way of Kagura", the chosen theme was this "Shin・Hyakkiyakou." Because this is Isshi who has knowledge of that world, we can personify it, and thoroughly enjoy the strange world.
This is the seventh installment of "Isshi's Road Through History: the way of Kagura", and the theme is "Shin・Hyakkiyakou" recorded on the album "Core". These visuals are even more of a masterpiece than usual aren't they!
Isshi: As expected, it's quite "SHOXX". (laughs) This time the theme shown as the theme is that once again I thoroughly probed into the kind of world I like.
You had a very interesting story regarding "Shin・Hyakkiyakou" in last month's edition of this magazine, didn't you, Isshi-kun? You said that Izumi-kun composed the original melody, and once the song was completed by backtracking for multiple changes, that peculiar atmosphere felt uncomfortable at first. And you called Shin-kun saying "Does this sound suit this song?"
Isshi: That's what I said, but at first it was a general 'cool' song. Izumi himself said something like "I composed it with a Ghibli-like image in mind" but for me, when I listened to it, it was like a blazing instinct and I had the image that we could perform it with something like that in the background.
There's not such a dramatic atmosphere than listening to it in its complete form, is there?
Isshi: That's right. Shin mastered Izumi's original melody, and when it came to me it was like "Ahh that feeling." (laughs)
And so you called Shin.
Isshi: After all it's as you'd expect, it was different than the image I'd thought of. So we couldn't help but change the melody of the chorus since it was like that, and naturally wouldn't the theme of the lyrics also change? So I called Shin. Just to confirm his stance on the song, I said "What kind of song is this one?"
And then the words Shin said back to you were...
Isshi: It was "Ahh, whichever way I say it, it feels silly."
But what did you think about that remark, Isshi?
Isshi: Well, it was certainly right. So I immediately lost my train of thought to guess at a reason why he'd say "it feels silly."
He diverted your ideas.
Isshi: That's right. In that case, I thought about something thoroughly foolish.
Isshi: As expected, it's quite "SHOXX". (laughs) This time the theme shown as the theme is that once again I thoroughly probed into the kind of world I like.
You had a very interesting story regarding "Shin・Hyakkiyakou" in last month's edition of this magazine, didn't you, Isshi-kun? You said that Izumi-kun composed the original melody, and once the song was completed by backtracking for multiple changes, that peculiar atmosphere felt uncomfortable at first. And you called Shin-kun saying "Does this sound suit this song?"
Isshi: That's what I said, but at first it was a general 'cool' song. Izumi himself said something like "I composed it with a Ghibli-like image in mind" but for me, when I listened to it, it was like a blazing instinct and I had the image that we could perform it with something like that in the background.
There's not such a dramatic atmosphere than listening to it in its complete form, is there?
Isshi: That's right. Shin mastered Izumi's original melody, and when it came to me it was like "Ahh that feeling." (laughs)
And so you called Shin.
Isshi: After all it's as you'd expect, it was different than the image I'd thought of. So we couldn't help but change the melody of the chorus since it was like that, and naturally wouldn't the theme of the lyrics also change? So I called Shin. Just to confirm his stance on the song, I said "What kind of song is this one?"
And then the words Shin said back to you were...
Isshi: It was "Ahh, whichever way I say it, it feels silly."
But what did you think about that remark, Isshi?
Isshi: Well, it was certainly right. So I immediately lost my train of thought to guess at a reason why he'd say "it feels silly."
He diverted your ideas.
Isshi: That's right. In that case, I thought about something thoroughly foolish.
If that's the case, is there some kind of relation of these "Shin・Hyakkiyakou" and "Hyakkiyakou" (an old song from the time of Kagrra's previous band, recorded on the mini-album "Irodori" which was released in 2001)?
Isshi: There is. First of all, with regards to that, it's always been the song that seals "Hyakkiyakou".
About that, I think there are a lot of fans who think it's a little forlorn, but... what is the reason for it being sealed?
Isshi: At that time somebody got injured at a live, but it wasn't our band. It happened while the guests were doing 'gyakudai'. And so, wasn't Hyakkiyakou "that kind" of song? We thought it was dangerous.
You were dedicated to safety right? I didn't know about that.
Isshi: We didn't want anybody to be injured, you know? However, we understood on the other hand that all of the fans really liked "Hyakkiyakou". For me personally, it was a song that worked out a single colour in a big way.
Isn't that right. At that time, It was something you thought had to be on the menu at events and not to mention onemans.
Isshi: That's right. Ahh, because I like that I like it. It's a song that depicts that kind of world, and with that kind of meaning, the truth is we thought "Can't we do something like that?" from a long time ago. While we were making the theme a similar thing to that, it feels like this is a song that portrays the style of Kagrra, as we are now.
That is to say, what appeared then was this "Shin・Hyakkiyakou."
Isshi： I was thinking, 'This'll be the song!'
Nevertheless, according to what you said some time ago, "Shin・Hyakkiyakou" is a song with a very peculiar atmosphere, so as for the sound, it was made to be completely different from the original "Hyakkiyakou" right? Could you explain that here for our readers?
Isshi： As you'd expect, it's a matter of depicting "Hyakkiyakou" as Kagrra, has evolved. It's the same with the aspects of the sound, and the lyrics.
Well, can the the subject matter of these lyrics be thought of as a sequel to "Hyakkiyakou"?
Isshi: That's exactly right. The former "Hyakkiyakou" was up to the point when a "door" opens.
The phrase "kikaikaikaikai" was a magic spell for that purpose wasn't it?
Isshi: Yeah. So, now the door from that point is opened, and I'm writing about the unexpected ones beginning their attack.
It has an image of unexpectedness and Youkai doesn't it? This is a world for which we can say that it's your field, Isshi.
Isshi: That's right. We say it's unexpected, or that it's Youkai, but the point is that it's something about all humans.
We heard about such a story in an interview before, right?
Isshi: After all, it's a story of how the things that are called unexpected and Youkai come to be. Certain kinds of humans are different from others, and in regard to things that they can't comprehend, there are situations that have changed the feelings they don't want to recognize. I think that's what is on the other side of things like Youkai.
The word is bad, but it's something that brought forth a sense of distinction nesting within people.
Isshi: And it's not just people, but animals and natural phenomena. When people at that time felt doubts and dread about such things, they gave it the name of Youkai.
That may also apply to things like Bakeneko and Kamaitachi.
Isshi: It could, that's what I think. For example, among the people who will brand such manner of things as Youkai, there are people besides thinking "How did it really feel?" Then it'll be "Is it revenge?" Therefore, as a visual image wouldn't it be the movie "The Great Youkai War"? I think that's a close substitute.
I can come to agree with those words. And that movie, isn't it the so-called scary type of literary style? The silly atmosphere drifting in this "Shin・Hyakkiyakou" was that type of thing wasn't it?
Isshi: Yeah. It was Youkai from the start. Even with things like Kappa, aren't they perceived as wonderfully cute characters? There's surely a reason for that, originally they should've been scary things but with the impression that their existence is cute and charming, wouldn't the fear be alleviated?
That's deep.
Isshi: Even when I look at things such as Toriyama Sekien's "Gazu Hyakki Yagyou", I think there must be people who feel that it's not very scary. So this time for "Shin・Hyakkiyakou" we went in that kind of direction.
Incidentally, with regards to the photos this time, while "Shin・Hyakkiyakou" is the theme, it seems there was another motif as well.
Isshi: That's right. This time I was conscious of certain anime characters in relation to Youkai. I had the chance to get a recent sample from an author I'm on good terms with, so it fit really well.
Isshi, this time you visualized the two characters in three dimensions haven't you?
Isshi: This is the appearance of the "Bakeneko" in that anime. The characters are a woman killed by a Bakeneko, and a 'Medicine Seller' with powers like a diviner. For the public when it comes to anime about Youkai, I think the image of Kitaro is strong, but this is wonderful. I'm absorbed in the story and the art, and even how the music is used, because it really portrays to the extreme that the creators were fixated on it! As a person who likes Youkai, I don't think there's a Youkai anime as cool as this one. (laughs)
This is the chance for everyone who has interest in things like that to check it out and watch it. Also, I think they'll get enjoyment from another perspective on this design.
Isshi: That's right. (laughs)
By the way, the national tour "Kakushin~To inside of the core tour 2008~" is finally starting in March. Naturally, we'll hear this "Shin・Hyakkiyakou" at the lives too, right?
Isshi: Of course. 7 or 8 years have passed since "Hyakkiyakou" and as Kagrra has progressed we'll perform "Shin・Hyakkiyakou". The truth is, we have an idea and we'll be working on it in secret henceforth. I think everyone will surely be surprised when we do it at a live. I have good expectations. (laughs)
Isshi: There is. First of all, with regards to that, it's always been the song that seals "Hyakkiyakou".
About that, I think there are a lot of fans who think it's a little forlorn, but... what is the reason for it being sealed?
Isshi: At that time somebody got injured at a live, but it wasn't our band. It happened while the guests were doing 'gyakudai'. And so, wasn't Hyakkiyakou "that kind" of song? We thought it was dangerous.
You were dedicated to safety right? I didn't know about that.
Isshi: We didn't want anybody to be injured, you know? However, we understood on the other hand that all of the fans really liked "Hyakkiyakou". For me personally, it was a song that worked out a single colour in a big way.
Isn't that right. At that time, It was something you thought had to be on the menu at events and not to mention onemans.
Isshi: That's right. Ahh, because I like that I like it. It's a song that depicts that kind of world, and with that kind of meaning, the truth is we thought "Can't we do something like that?" from a long time ago. While we were making the theme a similar thing to that, it feels like this is a song that portrays the style of Kagrra, as we are now.
That is to say, what appeared then was this "Shin・Hyakkiyakou."
Isshi： I was thinking, 'This'll be the song!'
Nevertheless, according to what you said some time ago, "Shin・Hyakkiyakou" is a song with a very peculiar atmosphere, so as for the sound, it was made to be completely different from the original "Hyakkiyakou" right? Could you explain that here for our readers?
Isshi： As you'd expect, it's a matter of depicting "Hyakkiyakou" as Kagrra, has evolved. It's the same with the aspects of the sound, and the lyrics.
Well, can the the subject matter of these lyrics be thought of as a sequel to "Hyakkiyakou"?
Isshi: That's exactly right. The former "Hyakkiyakou" was up to the point when a "door" opens.
The phrase "kikaikaikaikai" was a magic spell for that purpose wasn't it?
Isshi: Yeah. So, now the door from that point is opened, and I'm writing about the unexpected ones beginning their attack.
It has an image of unexpectedness and Youkai doesn't it? This is a world for which we can say that it's your field, Isshi.
Isshi: That's right. We say it's unexpected, or that it's Youkai, but the point is that it's something about all humans.
We heard about such a story in an interview before, right?
Isshi: After all, it's a story of how the things that are called unexpected and Youkai come to be. Certain kinds of humans are different from others, and in regard to things that they can't comprehend, there are situations that have changed the feelings they don't want to recognize. I think that's what is on the other side of things like Youkai.
The word is bad, but it's something that brought forth a sense of distinction nesting within people.
Isshi: And it's not just people, but animals and natural phenomena. When people at that time felt doubts and dread about such things, they gave it the name of Youkai.
That may also apply to things like Bakeneko and Kamaitachi.
Isshi: It could, that's what I think. For example, among the people who will brand such manner of things as Youkai, there are people besides thinking "How did it really feel?" Then it'll be "Is it revenge?" Therefore, as a visual image wouldn't it be the movie "The Great Youkai War"? I think that's a close substitute.
I can come to agree with those words. And that movie, isn't it the so-called scary type of literary style? The silly atmosphere drifting in this "Shin・Hyakkiyakou" was that type of thing wasn't it?
Isshi: Yeah. It was Youkai from the start. Even with things like Kappa, aren't they perceived as wonderfully cute characters? There's surely a reason for that, originally they should've been scary things but with the impression that their existence is cute and charming, wouldn't the fear be alleviated?
That's deep.
Isshi: Even when I look at things such as Toriyama Sekien's "Gazu Hyakki Yagyou", I think there must be people who feel that it's not very scary. So this time for "Shin・Hyakkiyakou" we went in that kind of direction.
Incidentally, with regards to the photos this time, while "Shin・Hyakkiyakou" is the theme, it seems there was another motif as well.
Isshi: That's right. This time I was conscious of certain anime characters in relation to Youkai. I had the chance to get a recent sample from an author I'm on good terms with, so it fit really well.
Isshi, this time you visualized the two characters in three dimensions haven't you?
Isshi: This is the appearance of the "Bakeneko" in that anime. The characters are a woman killed by a Bakeneko, and a 'Medicine Seller' with powers like a diviner. For the public when it comes to anime about Youkai, I think the image of Kitaro is strong, but this is wonderful. I'm absorbed in the story and the art, and even how the music is used, because it really portrays to the extreme that the creators were fixated on it! As a person who likes Youkai, I don't think there's a Youkai anime as cool as this one. (laughs)
This is the chance for everyone who has interest in things like that to check it out and watch it. Also, I think they'll get enjoyment from another perspective on this design.
Isshi: That's right. (laughs)
By the way, the national tour "Kakushin~To inside of the core tour 2008~" is finally starting in March. Naturally, we'll hear this "Shin・Hyakkiyakou" at the lives too, right?
Isshi: Of course. 7 or 8 years have passed since "Hyakkiyakou" and as Kagrra has progressed we'll perform "Shin・Hyakkiyakou". The truth is, we have an idea and we'll be working on it in secret henceforth. I think everyone will surely be surprised when we do it at a live. I have good expectations. (laughs)
