A strange dream on Yossie's graduation concert

Yesterday, I felt better, flu is gone and headache's better. But last night's I had a strange dream, and I cannot stop thinking about it. I had to blog this from office, in case I forget.

I have had many dreams on Hello! Project members before but this one is a bit... strange. Had to share it.

I dreamt that I attended the last day of the Morning Musume Concert Tour 'Sexy 8 Beat', from a 3rd person perspective (Yeah, I'm aware that I was dreaming). The girls were looking stunning in what looked like a merge of Indian-esque "Morning Curry" costume and 2007 Winter concert. I've never been/seen the Saitama Super Arena, but I didn't notice the surroundings anyway. Anyway, I didn't remember how the whole concert went, but I vividly remember the part where each of the members was supposed to give the graduating member a message, following their long time tradition.

Yoshizawa Hitomi was standing at the left side of the stage, wearing the biggest smile while waiting for the comments from her fellow members. First up was Niigaki Risa, looking beautiful as ever. Donned a Puffy-like hairstyle and seemed like she put on some weight, made her look sexy and good to eat. :) Gaki-san holding a mic with her right hand and a note on the other.

She approached Yossie and stood there looking at her with teary eyes for a while. After an age, she spoke (In Japanese): "I have a lots of things to say... but there's something I'd like to bring up." And with that last sentence, she removed her smile and eyed Yossie bashfully. Yossie seemed to sense her hidden meaning, and stopped smiling as well. Gaki-san continued "You DO know what I was going to say, right?". Yossie pressed her lips and nodded, then lowered the mic and asked something non-audible. Gaki-san replied "Yes, that's the one. And about Mako-chan too... Well?". Yossie gave another non-audible reply to which Gaki-san responded with a nod and a soft "Okay...". Then Gaki-san turned and walked to backstage.

Then I heard the MC announcing something like "... Err.... and that was Niigaki Risa's message... so... will the next member give her farewell message?"

Then all the remaining members gathered at the centre. With Michishige Sayumi standing in the middle, the others began to circle around her, skipping and prancing. Sayu then random holds up her finger and points... at Kusumi Koharu. Then Koharu walked up to Yossie, while the others stepped back to the background. Koharu flashed her cutest smile at Yossie, whose mood seemed to lighten up now. Koharu also held up a note and read from it. She expressed her thanks and shared some stories about Yossie, among other things. But halfway through, she crouched down at the steps, and wept. I could see Koharu struggling to regain her composure and hold back her tears.

After that, all remaining members began to approach Yossie, who looked at each of them in return............ then I woke up. Seems like my R.E.M. time is over.

* * * * *

A strange dream indeed, and I don't know what to make of it. I analyzed it for a long time........ and came up with a few reasons:

- Gaki-san and Yossie were never close friends offstage. Never even exchanged mails. Just comrades in Morning Musume. In fact, I don't recall many televised interactions between the two. Maybe somewhere in the midst of it, I assumed that Gaki-san may be harbouring a hidden feelings towards Yossie, secretly. Good or bad feelings? Romantic feelings perhaps? I don't know... (Note: Gaki-san's solo rendition of "Koe" at Hello Pro Hour was playing in the background at this point... ^_^)

- The mention of Mako-chan (Ogawa Makoto)? I don't know either... I admit that I still feel lost over the sudden leave of Mako-chan. Probably that was to represent my suppressed sadness over the news. Really, Yossie should have given Mako-chan more attention back then.

- Koharu?... Why not Kamei Eri? Why not Takahashi Ai? Perhaps, subconsciously, I have started to have stronger feelings towards her... please, God don't let this be true...

- Finally on Michishige Sayumi... I know why. Honestly, she have slowly moved up my ranks within the Morning Musume. Even have a drafted article about her in which I will post up later.



..... You know, I should keep a dream journal. In case, I dream of anything else... ^_^
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One reason why Yaguchi Mari to be allowed to return to singing

From a 2005 Karaoke show, where the challengers try to outperform the original singers in a karaoke showdown, and if they do, they bring home 100000 yen. Seems like they use one of those karaoke scoring machines

Song: Tori no Uta (1981) by Kaoru Sugita



And Marippe wins! And not by fluke, mind you. While Kaoru Sugita sounds excellent, I think Marippe wasn't bad either. I noticed from this show, that Marippe spot-on pronunciation, solid pitching, and careful use of vibrato was really, really good. See, she still has it.... Even Sugita agrees.

Announcer: That's was amazing. 90 Points!
Yaguchi: No really, I thought I had lost.
Sugita : I should pass the "Idol" title to you now.
Announcer: Oh, never mind. Even if you don't hand the baton, it has been passed on already.


Marippe still got the goods. Don't let it go to waste, Tsunku. Start producing singles for her..... NOW! :)



..... by the way, I can't help but also notice Hard Gay in the audience stands. ^_^
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Jin is ill........a.k.a. "To nurse or not to be nursed..... that is the problem"

What a way to begin the year - with sickness.

Previously I mentioned that the news of Yoshizawa Hitomi's graduation did not affect me, obviously my body disagrees. Other than having to attend to my fiance's illness , later I was down with flu as well.
I hate being sick.

Will update when I get better. Have a nice day... ^_^
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Morning Musume 10th Anniversary Single - Preview

Sounds like a short radio rip. I wish I live in Japan.

Uploaded it to an uploader. Get it here.

I like this song. Reminiscence of "Sakura Mankai", lots of string instruments, befitting of "Asia" theme. The song structure and arrangement sounds like the mainstream Canto-pop/Mando-pop that I am so familiar with. Somehow, also reminds me of SMAP's "Lionheart". Much like an "Aruiteru" Asia-version.

However, the theme and concept sounded more like "Morning Musume celebrating Asia" rather than "celebrating 10 years of Morning Musume". Anyways, the PV looks promising, I'll be looking forward to it.

Sing along if you like.

Romaji:

Onaji yozora no hoshi o mi ageta
Haruka tooku ni omoi yose
Mada shiranu tomo ni ae souna
shiruku roodo susumou

tomo ni hake mashi, tomo ni nakaete
tomo ni kokoro o kayo se
kazoku no you ni ikite yukeru sa
kizuna mo kitto dekiru sa

man nen yuki kau kono michi ni
subete no kibou ga tsumatteru
man nen dareka ni tsutaete ku
fushigi na miwaku My Asia
bokura ga ikiru My Asia

Japanese:

同じ夜空の星を見上げた【久住】
遥か遠くに想い寄せ【安倍】
まだ知らぬ友に会えそうな【後藤】
シルクロード進もう【飯田・新垣】

共に励まし【安倍】　共に称えて【飯田】
共に心を通わせ【久住】
家族のように生きてゆけるさ【新垣】
絆もきっと出来るさ【新垣】

万年行き交うこの道に
全ての希望が詰まってる
万年誰かに伝えてく
不思議な魅惑　MY ASIA【全員】
僕らが生きるMY ASIA【久住】

Translation:

Looking up at the same starry night
Sending my thoughts to the far distance
Like meeting friends that you never met
Moving forward in the silk road

Together encouraging and praising each other
Together linking our hearts
Living together like a family
Surely a bond will form

In this crossing roads of ten thousand years
Uniting our hopes together
Convey it to someone for ten thousand years
My Asia, a strange fascination
My Asia, where we live...

Thanks to source from WHG
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Yoshizawa Hitomi Graduates from Morning Musume

It's official. Yoshizawa Hitomi will be graduating from Morning Musume on May 6th 2007 at the end of "Morning Musume Concert Tour - 2007 Spring ~ Sexy 8 Beat ~ " (モーニング娘。コンサートツアー２００７春～ＳＥＸＹ ８ ビート～) in Saitama Super Arena. Fujimoto Miki will succeed the position of leader, and Takahashi Ai as sub-leader.




I got some news on this earlier on, but kept it aside, labelling it as rumour until I can confirm this information. Even drafted an article on predicting the next 3 possible graduating member in 2007. (The other two was Fujimoto Miki and Takahashi Ai; And if all 3 members graduated, suggesting Niigaki Risa as the upcoming Momusu leader)

Later on, the announcement was made public in Hello! Project Official website.

It's strange, only a while ago, I was discussing on the possible routes that Yossie can take if she ever graduates. I'm not entirely shocked. Perhaps in writing that article, it has prepared my mind well on accepting this news (Now you know what I'm going through while writing that). In fact, I'm excited and happy for Yossie. However, it seems that Tsunku is throwing all my ideas away, by stating that Yossie will not only participating as a solo artiste under the Hello! Project banner, she will be a part of a new group unit. He added that various opportunities will be scheduled for her to take on.

With this graduation, Yoshizawa Hitomi will be the last of the 4th generation member to graduate, and has set the record as the 3rd longest serving Morning Musume leader of 2 years and 1 month, and second longest Morning Musume member with 7 years. (Iida Kaori was the longest serving leader at 3 years and 8 months, and Momusu member of 8 years) [Update: Thanks to Faramir's comments]

Yossie has been loyal to Morning Musume for so long already, and her time has come for her to move on. I am most interested to see what the future holds for our dear Yossie.

I'm intrigued to see if Morning Musume will turn all sukeban under the leadership of Fujimoto Miki. Poor Mikitty, she must be really sad to see her best buddy leaving the family now. Looks like Mikitty will be around for a little while longer, and Takahashi Ai won't be graduating soon either. It's time for a new era. Let's wait and see if Morning Musume will embark for another image reformation again.



Additional side note: You know, after a while it's a surreal feeling reflecting on the fact that Yossie won't be around in Momusu anymore. At this moment, "Mushoku Tomei no Mama de" was playing on the background while I am proof-reading this post for mistakes. Though I mentioned that I was happy for Yossie's graduation, I can't help but feel a tinge of sadness, while listening to the lyrics. Also noticed that this song which was sung by Yossie, Mikitty, Ai-chan, Ogawa Makoto and Konno Asami, other than Mikitty and Ai-chan, all other members will not be around come May 2007. An unintentional goodbye song? A Rainbow 7 Curse?? I will never listen/look at this song the same way I always do anymore...


*************


I do not posses a degree in Japanese Language, but with what I studied before, here are the loosely translated comments made by Tsunku and Yossie. Hope this helps. (The goddamn 'blue screen of death' happened while editing, crashing my PC while i'm updating and I have to redo everything again. Seems like even my PC has gotten all moody over this news... )

Tsunku's comment:

To all fans and related parties.
Sincere thanks for all your support all this time.
We wish you our best regards, with the beginning of this new year.

This day, we would like make an announcement with regards to Morning Musume's Yoshizawa Hitomi.
It has been decided that Yoshizawa Hitomi, who joined at April 2000 as 4th generation member, will graduate at the last day of "Morning Musume Concert Tour - 2007 Spring ~ Sexy 8 Beat ~" that will take place from March till May of 2007.

In this 7 years, beginning from Morning Musume's style reformation period, natural funky singing ability, rhythmic dancing that displays athletic ability - with these, she has shown her unique character/personality in Morning Musume.
She has perfectly carried out this role and in her skills.

We think of it as "Graduation with satisfaction". It is with our expectations, that we can hopefully extend this personality after graduating from Morning Musume. And with this personality, we believe a new Hello! Project *wave/wind will begin.

After graduation, (Yoshizawa) will continue under the Hello! Project banner, doing solo works and participating in a new unit - challenging in various chances given.

After Yoshizawa Hitomi's graduation from Morning Musume, Fujimoto Miki will succeed as leader, and Takahashi Ai as sub-leader.

Presently, with consideration for the success of Morning Musume's concert tour this spring, in becoming one with the member's performance, we ask that everyone to give your best support and cheers.


2nd January 2007 - Tsunku

Yossie's comments:

I, Yoshizawa Hitomi, will graduate from Morning Musume on the last day of Morning Musume concert tour this spring, at the Saitama Arena on 6th of May.

After graduation, will be active as a member of Hello! Project.

From now onwards till May, as leader of Morning Musume, will continue to give my best as usual.


Morning Musume - Yoshizawa Hitomi

Comments by Tsunku

ファンの皆様、並びに関係者の皆様へ。
いつもいつも応援いただきまして誠にありがとうございます。
新年を迎えまして、ますますご健勝のことと思います。

さて、本日はモーニング娘。の吉澤ひとみに関してのお知らせです。
２０００年４月に第４期メンバーとして加入した吉澤ひとみが２００７年３月～５月に行われます「モーニング娘。コンサートツアー２００７春～ＳＥＸＹ ８ ビート～」の
最終日を持ちまして卒業することを決めました。

モーニング娘。のスタイルの変革期に加入してきて７年間、
持ち前のファンキーな歌唱能力、運動能力を生かしたリズム感あふれるダンス、
それらを生かしてモーニング娘。の中で個性的なキャラを発揮してくれました。
十分にその役割りを果たし、スキルも十分身につけました。
「満を持しての卒業」とはこのことだなと思います。
モーニング娘。を卒業することによって、さらに個性を伸ばしてくれるだろうと期待しております。
そして、その個性がまた新しいハロー！プロジェクトの風を吹かせることに一躍買ってくれると信じています。

卒業後は、ハロー！プロジェクトに属しながら、ソロでの芸能活動や、また新たなユニットへ参加など、いろんなチャンスにチャレンジしてもらいたいと思っています。

吉澤ひとみのモーニング娘。卒業後はリーダーに藤本美貴、
サブリーダーに高橋愛を任命いたします。

ひとまずは、この春のモーニング娘。のコンサートツアーを成功させるよう
メンバー一丸となってのパフォーマンスが先決と思ってますので、皆様方には益々の声援のほどをよろしくお願い申し上げます。


２００７年　１月２日　つんく♂

Comments by Yoshizawa Hitomi

私吉澤ひとみは、今年春のモーニング娘｡ コンサートツアー最終日、5月6日のさいたまスーパーアリーナ公演をもってモーニング娘｡ を卒業することになりました。

卒業後もハロー！プロジェクトの一員として、活動していきます。

これから約5ヶ月間もこれまでと変わらず、モーニング娘｡ リーダーとして全力でがんばります。

モーニング娘｡ 吉澤ひとみ

Additional source from WHG
News clippings from WHG
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Dohhh UP!

A lesson learned today - Open your eyes wide, look around and you will see it.

Just saw an image at the bottom of Hello! Project official site.


Dohhh UP!

What a name. It is described as video contents streaming site. I have no idea what this is, but it seems to contain many streaming videos, probably related to Up Front Group projects. There are music, drama, variety, theater, sports and life & culture. As usual, at the bottom of the page, there's the "licensed by JASRAC" disclaimer, like all other Up Front sites.

All I know is that I see lots of streaming videos that are not uploaded on other video streaming sites e.g. Youtube.com and Google Video. The theater videos seems interesting to watch. There's also the "Fuamiresu Ojigi 30 dou" clips, starring Takahashi Ai, Michishige Sayumi, Kamei Eri and Tanaka Reina.

Don't know how long this has been up. But will definitely watch them all before it gets taken down (if that ever happens). However, seems to be a little bit slow to stream. Or was it because of the Taiwan earthquake issue?

Does anyone else know what this is?
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Morning Musume 10th Anniversary Single - Title and Jacket

Note: This post has been long overdue, but due to the recent earthquake have damaged our network connections in East Asia, and I have been unable to go online without experiencing slowness or zero connectivity. So right now, I will be having difficulty updating my blogs until the connection has been fully restored. I hope the earthquake victims are doing OK...

The official title of Morning Musume 10th Anniversary Celebration Single is:

僕らが生きる　ＭＹ　ＡＳＩＡ
Bokura ga ikiru MY ASIA ( Literally meaning "We're Alive My Asia" or "My Asia, Where We Live" )

Here are the jacket images:



The positioning are as follows:
Niigaki Risa, Goto Maki, Abe Natsumi, Kusumi Koharu, Iida Kaori

I must say that the whole image of the group is fantastic. The blue theme, long flowing hair...etc. Delighted to see Niigaki Risa finally getting to share the spotlight in a shuffle with other big stars of Hello! Project.


Tsunku has mentioned before, after the selection of the new 8th member in Morning Musume Happy 8 Audition, and after the setup of his new company TNX, that he aims for Asia as next market. And with what I see in the single's jacket photo, I think it's pretty good so far. Heh, the motivation for world domination has always been in the hearts of any ambitious Japanese, eh?

There were many speculations on how this team was formed. As recently highlighted by commenter it is to represent the original 5 Momusu members, by matching the age.

Abe Natsumi / Iida Kaori ===> Nakazawa Yuko
Goto Maki ===> Ishiguro Aya
Kusumi Koharu ===> Fukuda Asuka
Niigaki Risa ===> Abe Natsumi / Iida Kaori

Back to basics? Reintroducing Morning Musume to the world?

[ Will update this portion later. ]



I am definitely looking forward for this single, and see how it turns out. If in fact, it is going back to the basics and following the style of the original members, I'm expecting some harmonizing bits. The jacket photo suggests that it may be an fast-tempo song, but then again, it may turn out to be another "Aruiteru", where the photos and the song doesn't have to relate.

So, we'll just wait and see...


Related Posts:
Morning Musume 10th Anniversary Team Lineup... Bleh~~
Morning Musume 10th Anniversary Celebration... but what about Aibon?

Sources:
Up Front Works
Witch Hunting Girlscouts
tvstation.jp
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