[Relaxing Exotica]
No.96 "Hara-iso" by Haruomi Hosono
Hi. Today's song is "Hara-iso" (Heaven, originated from a Portuguese word "Paraíso".) by "Haruomi Hosono".
"Hara-iso"
"Hara-iso" is an old Japanese word means "Heaven", used by some of the Japanese Christians since 400 years ago. The term was derived from a Portuguese word "Paraíso" (Paradise in English).
This word was originally brought by the Missionaries from Portugal to explain the concept of "Heaven" to the first Japanese Christians of the 16th century.
Christianity was welcomed and flourish at first. But in the 17th century, the government changed the attitude and initiated a harsh repression.
"Kakure Kirishitan"
After a few of historical tragic episodes, Christians in Japan seemed extinct, but were.
(Please check this Wikipedia article also : "Christianity in Japan" for more precise information.)
In mid western part of Kyushu island, though it was a limited number, eager Christians were survived by hiding their religion, and acted as Buddhists.
Nowadays, those people are called "Kakure Kirishitan"(hidden Christians).
They had kept such life style for nearly 2.5 centuries until the ban for Christianity was lifted in 1873.
"World heritage site"
The churches, or other religious sites which they had retained are in fact precious historic monuments need to be reserved.
Luckily in June 2018, this series of site are registered as a "World heritage site" by UNESCO under the name of "Hidden Christian Sites in the Nagasaki Region".
If you have a chance to visit Nagasaki, please have a look.
Some articles have been put away in a "Memo" tab in each section, so please click it to read.
If the "Memo" tab does not open, please enable the Java script in your browser.
Thank you.
Index
1. Song data
| Title | Paraiso(Hara-iso) (Heaven) |
|---|---|
| Artist | Haruomi Hosono |
| Album Title | Hara-iso |
| Catalog Number | MHCL-509 |
| Track No. | 9 |
| Duration | 4:38 |
| Released | 1978 |
| Publisher | Alfa |
| Lyricist | Haruomi Hosono |
| Composer | Haruomi Hosono |
| Arranger | Haruomi Hosono |
- About the creators
Haruomi Hosono
Haruomi Hosono is a composer, arranger, lyricist, singer, bassist, and a music producer active since the late '60s.
He has been a front runner in Japan's rock and pop music, and a techno pop(Electro) band "Yellow Magic Orchestra", he formed in the late '70s, became popular internationally.
Today's song is written and sung by him, so we would like to refer to him some more in the later section.
Cover art
- Sound impressions
Like a Hawaiian
There might be an exact word to describe the melody like this, but it's a Hawaiian like, or exotica like leisurely music.
The percussion, drums and high fret strum by folk guitar open the introduction, then the bass, acoustic and electric piano, electric guitar join.
In the bridge, there is a beautiful session of chorus and the synthesizers, namely CS-80(Yamaha) and ARP Odyssey(Korg).
Haruomi Hosono croons the songs in gentle way. His soft bass voice is attractive and there are many fans.
Interestingly, he didn't like singing when he was young even he had a good voice.
But now he is 70, and the first time in life, he is feeling the singing enjoyable, according to the article on recent interview for him.
- Reference
- About the artist
A giant star of the J-pop
Haruomi Hosono debuted in 1969 with single "Apryl Fool"(textually). Since then, 7 singles, and 21 original, 0 live, and 10 best albums have been released until now.
(Ref: Wikipedia, Haruomi Hosono)
Revolutionary musician
Haruomi Hosono is one of the most respected man in the modern J-pop, as a musician brought revolutionary changes to the pop music of Japan many times since debut.
Notable topics"
Among the many of fascinating stories on him, we think the following 4 might be the most curious for watching his innovative achievements, such as,
- A battle on rock in Japanese
- Creating "New music"
- Yellow Magic Orchestra
- Seiko Matsuda project
Each subject is interesting but might need some minimum explanation to grab the story.
So, we would like to write on the topic 1 this time. Would come back on the other themes in a different opportunity.
A battle on "Rock in Japanese"
His first leader band "Happy end", which he was formed in 1969, was now recognized as a pioneer of singing "rock" in Japanese.
The late '60s was the timing that the incubation period for Japan's rock music were about to end.
Quite a few of rock band graduated from copying western rock bands, and some noticeable groups were struggling to establish their own style.
Can you rock in Japanese?
Among the rock bands at that time, there was an argument which is good for singing rock music, English or Japanese?.
"English" side says,
- Rock is cool and hot(excitable), because it is sung in English. We cannot rock in Japanese.
- We should be ambitious to be a international rock star. So, English is essential.
"Japanese" side says,
- Accepted the Japanese is not good for rock. But we are delivering a message to the listeners whom the vast majority is doubtlessly Japanese. How many percent of them understand English?
- "Rock" in Japanese is purely our original, not just a copy of the Western bands. Isn't it precious?
It might not be so accurate, but the above were the main points of discussion.
No winner
Our Hosono's band "Happy end" was representing the Japanese side, by creating a quality rock in Japanese lyrics.
And in 1971, their 1st album "Happy end" was awarded as the best rock album of 1970 from a famous music magazine.
In fact, what they were arguing was just a matter of style, and for modern eyes, it is not a fundamental issue need to be disputed.
Actually, rock in Japan was grown dramatically in the next 1 decade, and people became not to care for such.
So, the battle is a old small topic now. But from music history point of view, "Happy end" is often mentioned as the pioneer for rock in Japanese.
Indeed, their success made a formerly serious language issue tiny one, and opened a new horizon.
(Ref: Wikipedia, Haruomi Hosono)
(Ref: Nihon-go rock-no ikishōnin, artmania)
We would like to stop now, and wish to continue for the next occasion before the article become too long.
Thank you.
- Samples from online music stores
About the samples
Please go to the page below, and just play or click track No.9.
Trial button is on the left side of the song title.
AD : Free listening samples
Amazon JP(en)
recochoku.jp
Apple Music(jp)
9
8. Japanese Letters
| Song Title | はらいそ (Hara-iso) |
|---|---|
| Artist | 細野晴臣 (Haruomi Hosono) |
| Album Title | Paraiso(はらいそ) |
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