INTO THE SKY and BOYFRIEND A GOGO Lyrics and English Translation

This time I have two of them! I apologise if they're not the best, but as always I try hard. I'm a little tired from New Year's anticipation, but I'm excited too. I want to share the excitement with you, so please enjoy these lyrics and translations! I've tried to get the essence of the song and its tone.

I hope you will enjoy my work!
As always, a link is appreciated if you want to post my translations elsewhere.

INTO THE SKY

目覚めていつもの朝がきた
隣の君は変わらずオヤスミ
たまには朝食いい匂い
おはようキスとか夢膨らむ

理想・現実、かなり違う
ホントの答え何処?

(Into the sky) ほら、
知らない街にとびだして
(Into the sky) ねえ、
見つけたのは君が1番だってこと

春夏秋冬恋の予感
トキメキ感じる旅にでようか
ホントの答えは見つかるの?
小さな夢のツボミ膨らむ

運命の人あなたですか?
一年中恋曜日

(Into the sky) 今、
自分に問い掛けた
(Into the sky) ほら、
わかるのは君が1番だってこと

忘れないで、大事なこと
小春日和、君の隣、優しく包んで
夢をみよう、君の夢を、ぬくもりを感じてる

(Into the sky) ほら、
知らない街に飛びだして
(Into the sky) ねえ、
見つけたのは君が1番だってこと


INTO THE SKY

Mezamete itsumo no asa ga kita
Tonari no kimi wa kawarazu OYASUMI
Tama ni wa choushoku ii nioi
Ohayou KISU to ka yume fukuramu

Risou - genjitsu, kanari chigau
HONTO no kotai doko?

(Into the sky) hora,
Shiranai machi ni tobidashite
(Into the sky) nee,
Mitsuketa no wa kimi ga ichiban datte koto

Haru natsu aki fuyu koi no yokan
TOKIMEKI kanjiru tobi ni deyou ka
HONTO no kotae wa mitsukaru no?
Chiisai na yume no TSUBOMI fukuramu

Unmei no hito anata desu ka?
Ichinenjyuu koiyoubi

(Into the sky) ima,
Jibun ni toikaketa
(Into the sky) hora,
Wakaru no wa kimi ga ichiban datte koto

Wasurenaide, daiji na koto
Koharu biyori, kimi no tonari, yasashiku tsutsunde
Yume wo miyou, kimi no yume wo, nukumori wo kanjiteru

(Into the sky) hora,
Shiranai machi ni tobidashite
(Into the sky) nee,
Mitsuketa no wa kimi ga ichiban datte koto


INTO THE SKY

I wake up as usual, like every morning
And you, right next to me, haven't changed, sleep well
And sometimes the good smell of breakfast
Good morning kiss while still full of dreams

Ideal -- reality is quite different
Where is the real answer?

(Into the sky) Look,
Let's take off to an unknown town
(Into the sky) Hey,
Being found by you is the best

Spring summer fall winter premonition of love
My heart's thumping shall we take a trip
Can we find that real answer?
Our little dream is blooming

My soulmate -- is that you?
All year long, days of love

(Into the sky) Now,
I've asked myself a question
(Into the sky) Look,
Being understood by you is the best

Never forget, the important things
Indian summer weather, you beside me, gently covering me up
Dreaming, your dream, I can feel its warmth

(Into the sky) Look,
Let's take off to an unknown town
(Into the sky) Hey,
Being found by you is the best



BOYFRIEND A GOGO

朝から dance dance
ドレスを選んだら
土曜は go go
キミに会いにゆくの

きもちはもう high high
答えも決まってる
でも今夜は night night
プロポーズは早い

Baby きまぐれなオトコノコ
予想なら意味ないわ
いくじなしオトコノコ
かっこつけてばかりBOYFRIEND

きっと雲の上
天使が笑ってる
そんな不器用な恋だから
バラの花束に
驚いたふりして
瞳 見つめるわ
チャンスを逃さないで

二人は done done
離れられなくなる
ひとりじゃ so so
涙がこぼれそう

無口なのもキュート
悪くはないけれど
ハートは say say
スッキリするんじゃない?

Baby よくばりなオンナノコ
ヒミツさえ知りたいわ
さみしがりオンナノコ
だって わたしきみのGIRLFRIEND

いつか神様に
望みを聞かれたら
言っていいかしら ひとつだけ
ダイヤのリングも
お屋敷もいらない
明日もあさっても
キッスで目覚めたいの

Baby きまぐれなオトコノコ
予想なら意味ないわ
いくじなしオトコノコ
かっこつけてばかりBOYFRIEND BOYFRIEND

きっと雲の上
天使が笑ってる
そんな不器用な恋だから
バラの花束に
驚いたふりして
瞳 見つめるわ
チャンスを逃さないで


BOYFRIEND A GOGO

Asa kara dance dance
DORESU wo erandara
Doyou wa go go
KIMI ni ai ni yuki no

Kimochi wa mou high high
Kotae mo kimatteru
Demo konya wa night night
PUROPOOZU wa hayai

Baby kimagure na OTOKO NO KO
Yosou nara imi nai wa
Ikuji nashi OTOKO NO KO
Kakko tsukete bakari BOYFRIEND

Kitto kumo no ue
Tenshi ga waratteru
Sonna bukiyou na koi dakara
BARA no hanataba ni
Odoroita furishite
Hitomi mitsumeru wa
CHANSU wo no nogasanaide

Futari wa done done
Hanarerare nakunaru
Hitori ja so so
Namida ga koboresou

Mukuchi na no mo KYUUTO
Waruku wa nai keredo
HAATO wa say say
SUKKIRI surun janai?

Baby yokubari na ONNA NO KO
HIMITSU sae shiritai wa
Samishigari ONNA NO KO
Datte watashi kimi no GIRLFRIEND

Itsuka kamisama ni
Nozomi wo kikaretara
Itte ii kashira hitotsu dake
DAIYA no RINGU mo
Oyashiki mo iranai
Asu mo asatte mo
KISU de mezametai no

Baby kimagure na OTOKO NO KO
Yosou nara imi nai wa
Ikuji nashi OTOKO NO KO
Kakko tsukete bakari BOYFRIEND BOYFRIEND

Kitto kumo no ue
Tenshi ga waratteru
Sonna bukiyou na koi dakara
BARA no hanataba ni
Odoroita furishite
Hitomi mitsumeru wa
CHANSU wo no nogasanaide


BOYFRIEND A GOGO

Since this morning dance dance
I've already picked out my dress
Saturday is go go
It's a date, then?

Feeling high high
The answer is yes
But tonight is night night
It's too fast for a proposal

Baby fickle boys
Don't mean it if you expect it
Boys without self-confidence
Are all such cool BOYFRIENDS

Surely, atop a cloud
An angel is smiling
Because this love is so clumsy
Pretending to be surprised
At a bouquet of roses
Look into my eyes
I won't let this chance escape

When a couple is done done
But they just can't separate
Being alone is so so
It always feels like you're going to cry

Being tight-lipped is cute
It's not bad, but
My heart is say say
Isn't that clearer?

Baby greedy girls
Want to know even your secrets
Lonely girls
Because I am your GIRLFRIEND

Someday the gods
Will listen to my prayers
I think, just one:
I don't need a diamond ring
Or a mansion
I just want to be awakened with a kiss
Tomorrow and the next day on

Baby fickle boys
Don't mean it if you expect it
Boys without self-confidence
Are all such cool BOYFRIENDS

Surely, atop a cloud
An angel is smiling
Because this love is so clumsy
Pretending to be surprised
At a bouquet of roses
Look into my eyes
I won't let this chance escape

Colorful Heart Lyrics and English Translation

I've done it again! I'm on a roll today. Some days I cannot function in two languages effectively, but today I've been in the mood, and I was inspired. The song got into my head, and it is so beautiful, so I went ahead and transcribed and translated 'Colorful Heart'.

Just a few brief notes for this one: 'iroaseru' means 'to fade', but it has a connotation of colour, so 'iroasenaide' means 'don't fade', with the context being for one's colours not to fade.

As usual, the same things apply to this translation as to all of my others. I don't claim to be perfect at conveying meaning to others, even though I can understand the meaning. Japanese, as a language, is extremely context-heavy and also tends to love double-meanings and wordplay, so I've taken some poetic touches, here and there.

As always, please give me a link if you use my translation. Thanks, and keep rolling!

カラフルハート

沢山のモノを拾い集めてる
こぼれてしまった大事なことが
モノクロのように横たわって待っている

優しさ達 夢のカケラ
手にとってみよう また輝くさ

なくならないで あの日の永遠
やわらかな毛布の雲で泳ぐときを
色あせないで あの日の永遠
カラフルなハートをもう一度

掴めずに落ちた愛しい言葉が
星の砂かぶって見えない だけど
月明かりの下 反射してる 素敵だね

尖ってると傷つけあう

でも本当はまんまるだから

なくならないで あの日の永遠
流星のそよ風に髪なびく夜を
色あせないで あの日の永遠
カラフルなハートをもう一度

キラキラした私色の塊
いつか全部わたせるように Ah

抱きしめたいなあなたの永遠
星空のまなざしで包みこむように
守っていたいなあなたの永遠
カラフルなハートになって

あなたの永遠 Ah
祈っていたいなあなたの永遠
つながっていきますように・・・


Colorful Heart

Takusan no mono wo hiroiatsumeteru
Koborete shimatta daiji na koto ga
MONOKURO no you ni yokotawatte matteiru

Yasashisatachi yume no KAKERA
Te ni totte miyou mata kagayakusa

Nakunaranaide ano hi no eien
Yawaraka na moufu no kumo de oyogu toki wo
Iroasenaide ano hi no eien
KARAFURU na HAATO wo mou ichido

Tsukamezu ni ochita itoshii kotoba ga
Hoshi no suna kabutte mienai dakedo
Tsukiakari no shita hansha shiteru suteki da ne

Togatteru to kizu tsukeau

Demo hontou wa manmaru dakara

Nakunaranaide ano hi no eien
Ryuusei no soyokaze ni kaminabiku yoru wo
Iroasenaide ano hi no eien
KARAFURU na HAATO wo mou ichido

KIRAKIRA shita watashi iro no katamari
Itsuka zenbu wataseru you ni Ah

Dakishimetai na anata no eien
Hoshizora no manazashi de tsutsumikomu you ni
Mamotte itai na anata no eien
KARAFURU na HAATO ni natte

Anata no eien Ah
Inotteitai na anata no eien
Tsunagatte ikimasu you ni...


Colorful Heart

Collecting so many things
The overflowing things, so important
Lie in wait like monochrome

Warm kindnesses
Pieces of dreams
Take them in our hands, still full of radiance

Don't disappear
The eternity of that day
That time swimming in the gentle blanket of clouds
Don't fade
The eternity of that day
Colourful heart, once more

The precious words I couldn't hold onto, which fell
Couldn't put on the sand of stars, but
Under the moonlight
Reflecting
It's breathtaking

You can hurt yourself on a sharp point

But that's why it is really a perfect circle

Don't disappear
The eternity of that day
That night where your hair fluttered
In the gentle breeze of a shooting star
Don't fade
The eternity of that day
Colourful heart, once more

The me-coloured katamari sparkled
One day to be passed on Ah

I want to hold you
Your eternity Ah
To wrap you up in a look of the starry sky
I want to protect you
Your eternity
For our hearts to become colourful

Your eternity Ah
I want to pray for you
Your eternity
So we can be connected...

Harvest of Love Lyrics and English Translation

By popular request, I am doing more songs from the Beautiful Katamari soundtrack! This one is called 'Harvesting Rice of Love' or 'Harvest of Love'.

I left in something that some might be confused by, and that is the 'lovery'. I think this is a word pun, something that is very common in Japanese. Because there is effectively no difference between the 'l' and 'r' sound in Japanese, the word 'lovery' is a word that has a double-meaning. It refers to the lovers of the song -- a lovery day, as a descriptive word -- and also means lovely, which is of course what English speakers will understand from the word.

Madder is a colour of red, and 'akane iro' means 'madder-coloured'.

The rice shower she mentions is from a wedding, where rice is thrown to symbolise prosperity. I know some people won't get that immediately.

The Kobe line is a bit rambly and it's poetic licence that I put what I did, but it's essentially what the line means. I hope you don't mind.

Please do give me a link if you use my translation!

Enjoy, and keep rolling!

恋の稲刈り

金色の田んぼの中で
稲刈りに励んでるあなた
放課後のクラブを(野球)休んで
汗水流してる

駆け寄ってあいさつしたら
驚いて すぐにうつむいた
照れないで 頭の(真っ白)タオル
まぶしく輝いて 素敵(見とれちゃう)

知っていたよ 私への熱き恋は
もぅ少しだけ 強気で来ればいいのに
明日の休み 手作りのクッキーもって
わら集めの応援するね
Lovery harvest day

稲刈りに追い立てられて
ぴょんぴょんぴょんと逃げるカエルたち
かわいくて 後ろから(一緒に)ジャンプ
あなたがほほえんだ

「交替!」と呼ばれたあなた
コンバイン すぐに飛び乗った
真剣な顔して(両手の)レバー
華麗に操作する 素敵(見とれちゃう)

吹き出される お米の流れを見たら
ライスシャワー 思い浮かんでドキドキ
うちの嫁に 来てくれだなんて おばあちゃん
早すぎるよ 恋はこれから
Lovery harvest day

あかね色に空が(そっと)
染まる
染まる
染まる
明日も晴れる
(Bright shiny tomorrow)

いわし雲が拡がる果てない空に
飛び立ちそう 私のこころ軽くて
きっといつか二人で育てた苗が
実を結んでコウベを垂れる
Lovery harvest day

知っていたよ 私への熱き恋は
もぅ少しだけ 強気で来ればいいのに
明日の休み 手作りのクッキーもって
わら集めの応援するね
大好きよ!


Koi no Inekari

Kin'iro no tanbo no naka de
Inekari ni hagenderu anata
Houkago no KURABU wo (yakyuu) yasunde
Asemizu nagashiteru

Kakeyotte aisatsu shitara
Odorite sugu ni utsumuita
Terenaide atama no (masshiroi) TAORU
Mabushiku kagayaite suteki (mitorechau)

Shitteita yo watashi e no atsuki koi wa
Mou sukoshi dake tsuyoki de kureba ii no ni
Ashita no yasumi tedzukuri no KUKKII motte
Waraatsume no ouen suru ne
Lovery harvest day

Inekari ni oitaterarete
Pyonpyonpyon to nigeru KAERUtachi
Kawaikute ushiro kara (isshou ni) JUMP
Anata ga hohoenda

'Koutai' to yobareta anata
KONBAIN sugu ni tobiotta
Shinken na kao shite (ryoute no) LEVAA
Kirei ni sousa suru suteki (mitorechau)

Fukidasareru okome no nagare wo mitara
RAISU SHAWAA omoi yonde DOKIDOKI
Uchi no yome ni kitekure da nante obaachan
Hayasugiru yo koi wa kore kara
Lovery harvest day

Akane iro ni sora ga (sotta)
Somaru
Somaru
Somaru
Asu mo hareru
(Bright shiny tomorrow)

Iwashigumo ga hirogaru hatenai sora ni
Tobitachisou watashi no kokoro karukute
Kitto itsuka futari de sodateta nae ga
Mino wo masunde KOUBE wo tareru

Shitteita yo watashi e no atsuki koi wa
Mou sukoshi dake tsuyoki de kureba ii no ni
Ashita no yasumi tedzukuri no KUKKII motte
Waraatsume no ouen suru ne
Daisuki yo!


Harvest of Love

Amid the gold-coloured field
Working hard in the rice harvest, it's you
You took the day off from your after-school club (baseball)
Sweat is flowing

Rushing over with a greeting
You're surprised by me and hang your head
Don't be bashful
The towel on your head (pure white) is shining -- beautiful (I'm enchanted)

I knew it -- just a little more before you send your heated love my way
It's okay to keep coming on strong
On tomorrow's break I'll bring you homemade cookies
Straw-collecting cheer
Lovery harvest day

Ejected from the rice harvest
The frogs run saying pyonpyonpyon
So cute -- from behind (along with them) jump!
You were laughing

'Shift change!' you called
You jumped right on the combine
You put on a serious face (with both hands on) the levers
Operating it so beautifully -- beautiful (I'm enchanted)

Gushing out -- look at the rice!
It makes me think of a rice shower, my heart pounding
I must become your bride...and grow old with you
All too fast! Love is from here onward
Lovery harvest day

The sky has (softly) become
Tinted
Tinted
Tinted
Madder
Tomorrow will be beautiful too
(Bright shiny tomorrow)

Cirrocumulus clouds stretch into the endless sky
My heart is so light I feel like I might fly away
Surely one day we'll raise seedlings together
We'll make it happen in Kobe
Lovery harvest day

I knew it -- just a little more before you send your heated love my way
It's okay to keep coming on strong
On tomorrow's break I'll bring you homemade cookies
Straw-collecting cheer
I love you!

Sayonara Rolling Star Japanese Lyrics and Translation into English

A little gift for everyone, even those who may not know me or my work, or what I do.

I am a huge Katamari fan. I should probably explain, Katamari Damacy is a series of games where the object is very simple: roll a ball, called a katamari (it means 'mass' or 'lump' in Japanese) and collect things on it to make stars and planets. It sounds silly and odd, but it's actually one of the greatest game series ever made. The music always complements the unique visuals perfectly.

It's also a very special game to me, because webbychan -- my mate who passed away in 2007 -- suggested I get the first game when it was released. I will always associate him with 'Sakurairo no Kisetsu', or 'Cherry Blossom Times' as the title was translated.

Many of the songs have a certain 'mono-no-aware', which if you don't know what that is, is a kind of sadness. But it's a very Japanese concept that permeates Japanese culture: it is a sense of sadness of the impermanence of things, but a happiness as well that they were able to be experienced at all. It's often called the 'ah'-ness of things, because it reminds one of sighing in a mixture of happiness and sadness.

Anyway, the third console game, Beautiful Katamari, is one of the funnest of the series, and I dearly love the soundtrack. Pretty much every song on it is brilliant. It also features Matsumoto Iyo, a very famous idol from the 80s, doing a delightful song called 'Boyfriend a Go Go' which is one of my favourites.

But my absolute favourite is 'Sayonara Rolling Star', and recently I was trying to find a translation to show to a friend of mine who didn't speak Japanese but really loved the sound of the song.

The problem is, there isn't one that I could find. It was quite a challenge even to find the lyrics.

And so, even though my talent at translation is lacking, I thought I would supply them to you based on both my own hearing and what I confirmed at the handful of lyrics sites I managed to find with the song on them. I'm fine at understanding Japanese, it's just very difficult to convey that meaning to others, especially when so many things in Japanese have many levels of meaning, and sometimes double meanings that are necessary to understand the full meaning. But I did my best. I've included Japanese, Japanese transliterated, and English lyrics.

I did a few little inside jokes in translation that fans of the series should get, like the Eternal reference and some other things that are in the spirit of the lyrics, since there are references all over them about the game. It's such a beautiful song. Such a beautiful, beautiful song. I hope I have managed to convey its beauty.

I hope you'll all enjoy this. Please do give me a link if you're using these anywhere.

And keep rolling!


サヨナラ ROLLING STAR

どこに転がるか分からない
でも私たち 幸せだった
傷つけてはすりへるような感じ
わだかまり の かたまりね

どうして このまま
進んで いけないんだろう
不思議だね

Good to see you. You are my rolling star.
強く まわり 続けよう
Good to see you. You are my rolling star.
綺麗な○(まる) にしようね

気持ちが高ぶっては消える
打ち上げ花火のような せつな
毛糸球がほどけていくように
小さくなる この気持ち

いつまで いられる？
つないだ 手が 少しずつ 離れてく

Good to see you. You are my rolling star.
それぞれ大きくなって
Good to see you. You are my rolling star.
○く転がっていこうね

Good to see you. You are my rolling star.
さよならは つらい けど
Good to see you. You are my rolling star.
前を 向いて 生きていこう

さみしいよ 改札で 手を振って笑い合う
こらえきれない前に 後ろ 振り向いて 涙

Good to see you. You are my rolling star.
小さな○をかいたら
Good to see you. You are my rolling star.
大きな○で支えてあげて

Good to see you. You are my rolling star.
一番大好きだった
Good to see you. あなたのこと
忘れないよ 絶対に

Good to see you. You are my rolling star.
いいかな？
いいよね？
またどこかで...


SAYONARA ROLLING STAR

Doko ni korogaru ka wakaranai
Demo watashitachi shiawase datta
Kizu tsukete wa suriheru you na kanji
Wadakamari no katamari ne

Doushite kono mama
Susunde ikenaindarou fushigi da ne

Good to see you. You are my rolling star.
Tsuyoku mawari tsudzukeyou
Good to see you. You are my rolling star.
Kirei na maru ni shiyou ne

Kimochi ga takabutte wa kieru
Uchiage hanabi no you na setsuna
Keitodama ga hodoketeiku you ni
Chiisaku naru kono kimochi

Itsumade irareru?
Tsunaida te ga sukoshizutsu hanareteku

Good to see you. You are my rolling star.
Sorezore ookiku natte
Good to see you. You are my rolling star.
Maruku korogatteikou ne

Good to see you. You are my rolling star.
Sayonara wa tsurai kedo
Good to see you. You are my rolling star.
Mae wo muite ikiteikou

Samishii yo kaisatsu de te wo futte waraiau
Koraekirenai mae ni ushiro furimuite namida

Good to see you. You are my rolling star.
Chiisa na maru wo kaitara
Good to see you. You are my rolling star.
Ooki na maru de sasaete agete

Good to see you. You are my rolling star.
Ichiban daisuki datta
Good to see you. Anata no koto
Wasurenai yo zettai ni

Good to see you. You are my rolling star.
Ii ka na?
Ii yo ne?
Mata dokoka de...


SAYONARA ROLLING STAR

I don't know where we're rolling to
But we were happy
This feeling like injuries wearing us down
It's a mass of ill feeling

Why is it this time
We can't seem to keep going
It's so strange

Good to see you. You are my rolling star.
Keep rolling strongly
Good to see you. You are my rolling star.
Make a beautiful ball

All that self-confidence vanished
Like fireworks, in a twinkling
Came unwound like a ball of yarn
Feeling smaller

Can you do it eternally?
Our joined hands are little by little coming apart

Good to see you. You are my rolling star.
Every time you're becoming bigger
Good to see you. You are my rolling star.
Let's roll

Good to see you. You are my rolling star.
Goodbye is painful, but
Good to see you. You are my rolling star.
Live your life looking forward

So lonely at the ticket taker
Waving and smiling
I couldn't stand it
Before I got there, I turned around and cried

Good to see you. You are my rolling star.
If you take care of that little ball
Good to see you. You are my rolling star.
You can make it into a big ball

Good to see you. You are my rolling star.
I loved you the most
Good to see you.
I will never, ever forget you.

Good to see you. You are my rolling star.
Okay?
Is that okay?
Until we meet again, somewhere...

be

I know most all of my readers are aware of these things, but to those who may not be, I'd like to offer a gesture of tolerance, understanding, and acceptance this holiday season. If more people would take these things to heart, so much suffering in the world could disappear.

Sexism is discrimination against anyone because of gender or gender identity. 'Reverse sexism' is itself a sexist term, because it presumes that the person being discriminated against is always necessarily sexist and already discriminated against the other person. Sexism is discrimination due to gender or gender identity against anyone, male, female, hermaphrodite, transsexual -- anyone. And it is wrong.

Racism is discrimination against anyone because of race. In the modern world, most people have mixed and rich heritage of many races of people. Racism is ludicrous to begin with, but especially today. Most distinguishing by race is merely cataloguing by physical characteristics.

Ageism is discrimination against anyone because of age. In a world where life expectancies are longer than ever, and medical technology is more advanced than ever, people are more capable for longer. Yet attitudes persist that after 50, a person's worth is lessened. Similarly, people under certain ages are also discriminated against by others and sometimes even denied fundamental human rights.

Discrimination and intolerance know no bounds. You can be racist against your own race. You can be sexist against your own gender. In short, a person can be discriminatory against his or her own social groups.

Discrimination exists against sexual preference. This essentially makes any non-heterosexuals into second-class citizens, unable to enjoy fundamental rights that are afforded to heterosexuals. It can lead to abuse, attacks, and hate crimes, and it is every bit as wrong as racism, sexism, or ageism. Non-heterosexuals are often completely and unfairly disregarded in casually discriminatory statements, practices, or laws.

But I would like to give you a little reminder. You can download the images below (please do not link them directly from here) and upload them to your own blogs, comics, webspace, and whatever else you want.

The message is a simple one: be.

Be who you are, and allow others to be who they are. Help to stand against intolerance, injustice, and all other forms of detrimental discrimination in the world. Don't be afraid to say 'I don't agree with this' or 'this makes me uncomfortable', regardless of who is doing it. Intolerance is intolerance, regardless of its source.

The road to ruin is paved with good intentions, as the old adage goes. Even charities and non-profit groups may promote intolerance without understanding why. If more people contacted them and let them know this, they may be more willing to change, to be more inclusive.

Before you support any group, ask yourself the following questions:

Are they helping one group by discriminating against another? This is not uncommon, especially in today's world. For example, in many communities, men -- and most especially heterosexual men -- are not supported in any way if they are victims of sexual abuse or rape. Similarly, specific men's health issues are often overlooked or downplayed, and male sufferers of diseases commonly associated with women -- such as breast cancer -- are significantly overlooked because of promotion, publicity, and popular misconception. Beneficial groups can help those suffering from a common condition without being exclusionary or promoting misinformation that in turn causes others to be exclusionary. In a world of dwindling attention spans, it is important to present a balanced view concisely. If more people speak up and contact these groups, it may be possible to help them and, by so doing, help others.

Are they actually helping people? For example, there are plenty of shelters and similar places run by religious-affiliated groups who help the less fortunate and victims of abuse and other crimes. However, some of these have been shown to use the opportunity to force their views on those they help, which can lead to other problems and can be very harmful to a delicate emotional state. In some cases, if these victims do not agree, they are denied any help. It is one thing to have the religious information available to those who are interested, but a very different thing to impose these beliefs upon those who have no other choice.

Are they addressing an actual problem? People have only limited funds and other material support to dedicate to problems that affect them. Several groups exist to combat the adult entertainment industry, for example -- an industry more heavily regulated than virtually any other industry in the world, made up of adult professionals who are paid for their work, like any other job. It is common for these groups to misrepresent the industry as abusing and exploiting women and children (overlooking the facts that abuse is illegal, men also work in the industry, that all-male adult videos exist, and that children are not allowed in adult film because it is illegal), but what are they doing to actually help those they claim are victims? Often, nothing. It may be better to find a group who actually works with legitimate abuse victims and helps them to repair their lives and heal, or a group who works to stop illegal exploitation.

Does their approach make you uncomfortable? If so, you may want to look for another cause to support, or contact them and let them know why you feel uncomfortable. If anyone attempts to judge you for choosing not to support any group, you can remind them that it is your choice in the first place. If you feel that a group is presenting itself in a way that makes you feel excluded, weigh the positive and negative and ask yourself: are they being tolerant? Are they letting others be who they are, or are they promoting discrimination against others, implicitly or explicitly?

Above all, the most important thing is to be who you are, to allow others to be who they are, and to consider the people and causes that you support. It is your choice, to weigh the benefit and detriment of each and every group, cause, and person. Sometimes, the best thing you can do is tell them if you have a problem with a part of their approach, because they might not even realise that it is offensive or objectionable to someone, or that it is misrepresenting facts.

If you support being yourself and letting others be themselves, please feel free to add one of the following images to your internet presence. Remember to download them from here, don't directly link them, and upload them to your own space on the web. If you'd be so kind, please do make the buttons link back here (http://hushicho.blogspot.com/2010/12/be.html), so people can read and find out about be.

Urgent Petitions

For all of you regular readers, you know how important it is to me that these petitions be signed as quickly as possible. They do make a difference.

If you can't sign them yourself, at least spread the word and try to reach those who can. These are all issues that affect the world at large, not just the US, but some petitions are restricted by geographical area. Nonetheless, you can still do an immense amount of good by telling others who might be able to sign, or who might know people who can.

Save Wolves - This petition is to stop a very rash move by a very foolish man, who may endanger the lives of thousands of endangered animals if he does what he intends to do. If he is allowed to do as he pleases, protection for all endangered species will be compromised by his actions. This administration has allowed more than enough destruction of nature and wildlife. It should not be permitted to do any further.

Clicking the link will take you to Defenders of Wildlife, one of the foremost wildlife protection charitable organisations that exists in the world.

Protect Human Rights - The recent wikileaks debacle has polarised people. However, things have -- as usual -- gone much too far. And, as usual, the strongest supporter of insanity is Joe Lieberman, a politician whose disturbingly extreme policies have caused him to be rejected by both major parties in the United States.

Please sign this petition, which aims to stop proposals by Lieberman and his supporters to implement laws that would be retroactive in nature. If they are allowed to do this, it's over. The justice system, the Constitution...I'm not exaggerating when I say that will all be in danger. If they're allowed to implement laws that are retroactive, it would be like outlawing potato chips tomorrow and then punishing everyone who ever bought, owned, or ate potato chips then, despite them not having been illegal before then.

You can see where this is a worrying issue. So whatever your thoughts on wikileaks, this goes far beyond that. This is undermining the very nature of law, and it must not be allowed to happen.

Honestly, if these politicians had either maturely owned up to their actions or let it blow over, it would not be such a huge disaster. But they have made a huge fuss over it, which says nothing so much as 'we know what we did was wrong and we did it anyway', even if they actually didn't. Since there are no longer legal protections for government whistle-blowers (thanks, Supreme Court, for protecting politicians from being responsible!) -- people who can point out wrongdoing in government -- this country and indeed the world needs an anonymous place in which to do that.

Governments must be made accountable to their people. They cannot be allowed to make decisions the people overwhelmingly oppose, cannot be allowed to oppress their people, and above all cannot be allowed to imagine that they are above the system of checks and balances that are supposed to restrict them and make them accountable. The United States government especially has been guilty of this very 'teenager-ish' behaviour, and it must stop. It is time for politicians to think about the people that they have wronged and understand that politicians are held accountable by the very people whom they have shamed by their actions.

It is not wikileaks or any other third party who should be held accountable here. It is the government and specifically the people who committed these disgraceful acts that have been revealed to the public. They are embarrassing to the American people, they are in violation of international law, and they are unethical and unscrupulous. These people have brought shame on an entire country of people.

Don't be angry at wikileaks or the person who revealed it. That's just silly. That's as stupid as getting angry at a waiter because your food was bad. He didn't cook it. That's a 'kill the messenger' mentality, which is a mistake.

Be angry at the people who did these things. These same people are trying right now to ride roughshod over the law so that they can punish someone who did nothing wrong, simply because he enabled their own indiscretions to be revealed.

Each and every politician who was and is a part of this should be forced to apologise to the American people on national television and resign his or her post. There is no excuse for this kind of behaviour. None.

So please consider that when you are considering whether or not to sign this petition. You need to sign it. If you have read this far, you know you need to sign it too. So please do, and please spread the word. Tomorrow will be too late.

COLOR OF LOVE

I thought today I would share with you one of the most powerful and moving songs that I have heard in recent years, coupled with one of the most poignant videos I have ever seen.

ARIA - COLOR OF LOVE

The lyrics are below, with my own quick translation. I'm still unfortunately under the weather, and I understand very well but I don't always convey what I understand to others very well. I hope they will give you some idea of how beautiful the lyrics are anyway.


COLOR OF LOVE
words and music by ARIA

Far-off days smile from this sky
Even the tear-stained nights seem precious

Multicoloured canvases
Piled up one by one
Are the greatest gift from you

Pure white sky and
Deep red streets
Melt together this day
As if they would forever continue that way

When I embrace a dream painted as a child
Someone by my side always came to protect me

Multicoloured kindnesses
Met by chance one by one
Now are my greatest treasure

Gentle wind and
Warm love
Meet by chance that day
As if wrapping you in their embrace

Can you see the color of love?
Can you see the color of love?
Can you see the color of love?

Pure white sky and
Deep red streets
Melt together this day
As if they would forever continue that way


COLOR OF LOVE
words and music by ARIA


Toozakaru hibi ga kono sora hohoemu kara
Namida someta yoru sae itoshiku omoeru

Hitotsu hitotsu kasaneta
Irotoridori no CANVAS wa
Anata kara no saikou no okurimono dayo

Masshiroi sora to
Kurenai no machi ga
Tokeau konna hi ga zutto tsudzukimasu you ni

Kodomo no goro egaita yume o dakishimeru toki
Dareka ga soba de itsumo mimamotte kureta

Hitori hitori deaeta
Irotoridori no yasashisa ga
Ima dewa sou nani yori no takaramono dayo

Yawarakai kaze to
Atatakai ai ga
Meguriau sonna hi ga kimi o tsutsumimasu you ni

Can you see the color of love?
Can you see the color of love?
Can you see the color of love?

Masshiroi sora to
Kurenai no machi ga
Tokeau konna hi ga tsudzukimasu you ni…

(from AS Lyrics)


COLOR OF LOVE
words and music by ARIA

遠ざかる日々がこの空微笑むから
涙染めた夜さえ愛しく想える

ひとつひとつ重ねた
色とりどりのキャンバスは
あなたからの　最高の　贈りものだよ

真っ白い空と
紅の街が
とけ合うこんな日がずっと続きますように

子供の頃描いた夢を抱きしめる時
誰かが傍でいつも見守ってくれた

一人一人出逢えた
色とりどりの優しさが
今ではそう　何よりの　宝ものだよ

やわらかい風と
あたたかい愛が
巡り会うそんな日が君を包みますように

Can you see the color of love?
Can you see the color of love?
Can you see the color of love?

真っ白い空と
紅の街が
とけ合うこんな日が続くように…

(from AS Lyrics)

Japanese Web Lamentation

I remember in the late 90s, when I used to surf the Japanese internet and just enjoy the refreshing difference of the kind of sites I'd find, as well as the different aesthetic and, oftentimes, the different kinds of art and different things they did. It was always something new and exciting.

However, recently it's been more depressing than anything else. It's a reflection of the society, admittedly, and right now Japan isn't in a good way thanks to some dodgy direction for the country and a lot of upheaval as the generational shifts force society into new ways, even as the old guard try to cling to the old.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that I understand some of the secrecy. I understand the need that some of them feel to add a password or a hidden URL to access their sites.

But you know what? Most of the time, it's just stupid.

The most common reason that these people give for them putting their sites behind a password or a generally stupid URL is to prevent 'foreigners' from reproducing the pictures and reposting them elsewhere.

News flash, guys: most reposting and reproduction is done by Japanese people on the Japanese internet, not the all-inclusive label of 'foreigners'. There were some isolated incidents over ten years ago where a handful of American sites attempted to lift art from Japanese sites and charge visitors for the privilege of viewing it, but that was pretty much dealt with quickly. It was also completely blown out of proportion, and more or less zero of the modern Japanese internet has ever had to worry about the same.

It's just xenophobia, and it's crass.

As for reposting of images, don't put them online if you don't want them to find their way around again. Most of the time, the images are jpg anyway, which means that they're incredibly lossy. They're not suited for print. Any professional would be able to tell you this. If you're worried about people not finding their way back to your site or you getting the credit you need, learn how to comment in the file of a gif or put a watermark on the image that can't be covered or removed without disrupting the image itself.

Another thing about Japanese websites is that they aren't around forever. Most websites are impermanent by nature, but Japanese websites are the example of ephemeral web presences. If a website owner loses interest in the fandom or doesn't want to draw anymore, as many of them are hobbyists, the site can just close overnight and you will never see the art again. This is one of the reasons why people will save and sometimes later repost the art. It is also not uncommon at all that site owners will remove work that they no longer like, or work of a series that they no longer follow, without any warning.

Having a website for your art is wonderful, but it's self-defeating if you make visitors jump through so many hoops to see it that they end up quitting because it's not worth the trouble. Who wants to sit there and try to figure out the (usually misspelled) answer to a puzzle that only makes sense to the person who wrote it, to see art that may or may not wow them? It's a shame, but a lot of people just decide they'd rather click on another site that doesn't have the ridiculous restrictions and actually, you know, gives them content that they don't have to work so hard just to see. Attention spans are devastatingly low, especially online; if you haven't gripped an audience in half a minute, you're not going to get them to stay and figure out a quiz for the next five.

Most of the time, the content hidden by these endless tests isn't even controversial, or worse yet, the creator thinks it's much more prone to excite than it actually is. When I can be bothered to figure out the inane clues, most of the time I'm greeted with content that reaches such stunning extremes as two male characters having a drink together, or a character with his shirt off at the beach, or something. This is not controversial.

There's really no reason to put a password or hidden URL on your website. It's going to end up posted online somewhere, no matter how much you try to persuade your visitors not to do so. And even doing that and posting it on your site is going to tempt countless visitors to do it, simply because you asked them not to. It is an incredibly ill-considered tactic.

If you are going to go to the trouble, however, use some logic. Yes, you'll have an extra layer of assurance because all visitors obviously wanted to access the content if they bothered to figure out the password. However, any password is going to give them pause. If you wrote down the password in a paragraph on the index page, it would still make them have to read that paragraph in order to find out what it is.

If you are determined to make it a guessing game, at least make it something that people in the fandom would know. Most sites aren't dedicated to a single series. But those that are could have the password or URL be something from the series. However, it does no good if this is some obscure reference that not even many of the fans will know.

To illustrate, I went to one site looking for Lord of the Rings work. The site I found was a great site, but there was a hidden URL to access part of it. So I sighed and read the question.

'In what year did Bilbo adopt Frodo as his heir?'

I used to be pretty conversent in Middle-Earth, but who memorises things like that? To boot, it's not like there is a single dating convention for Middle-Earth, since Tolkien never liked anything that was straightforward or simple.

Virtually no member of the fandom is going to know that. They shouldn't be expected to know that. It would be much better to ask something like 'what is the name of the Hobbit who claimed the Ring from Gollum?' or 'what is the name of the grey wizard?' or 'how many rings were made for the Elves?' At least people would know them offhand, and they're things that any fan of the series can be expected to know.

But I did some searching and found it out. It wasn't that easy, but it wasn't ridiculously difficult. I still shouldn't have had to take the time doing that.

The unfortunate thing is, that's one of the easier times you will have if you go to surf the Japanese web.

So many sites now have two-part guessing games, too. So you end up with two obtuse clues and a frankenword that makes less sense. You end up with a word like 'dildofruit' or something and you wonder why on earth you had to spend so much time figuring it out. Usually it's wrong and you have to try to guess what the writer originally intended, because they write riddles that they don't realise only make sense to them.

I know there probably aren't many people reading who will understand what I'm talking about, but I hope some of them might know and feel they're not alone by reading this. I'd write more of the Japanese sites, but I can't figure out all the hints to get to them!