Momusu both old & new.

A short post.

First for those who follow Dorimusu ( Dream Morning Musume ) they have a new website with some videos that can be found on YouTube at Up Front channel . I am still expecting some sort of DVD concert release this late Fall after thier tour is finished.

For those who follow Ogawa Makoto she moved her blog .

Lastly if you follow the 9th generation of Morning Musume they will begin a weekly Ustream broadcast every Wednesday at 8pm / 20:00 hours ( Tuesday for us in the U.S. at 6am / 06:00 hours central time ) starting this week.

P.S. Hiroko is still having issues with Paypal. It will probably be at least 30-45 days before she can get a Japan based Paypal account setup & running. The whole problem is her account was created in the U.S. when she was here attending college & thus subject to America tax laws. You can read more at Hiroko Channel .

All things Japan

Well it has been a long time since I blogged . . . like anyone cares or reads this anyway. So lets start with the obvious, the natural disaster in Japan. What can you say? All I did was stay glued to the NHK - World - English broadcast that was on Ustream for two weeks straight. Sure donating money is easy for it allows you not to get directly involved, but I feel for those affected & wish I could of been there in person to help. I tried over a couple of days to keep a friend of mine informed / relay news casts, but felt I was hindering then helping. That & her own country men/women were doing a by far better job in doing so & lifting her spirits where I could not. Sometimes you just have to acknowledge your limitations. 

At the same time I was ashamed to be an American and further re-enforced my love of Japan over my own country for two reasons. One was the American media way over exaggerating the Nuclear accident & down right fear mongering to the point private citizens here were buying iodine pills & radiation detectors. Eh?!? Two were those intentionally, on the previously mentioned Ustream broadcast, spreading mis-information when the turth was being broadcast on the very channel they are commenting on without a shread of proof. Then there were those adding insult to injury to the people of Japan telling Godzilla jokes, that they derserved it because of either Pearl Harbour or whaling, etc.

For those who wish to continue to follow the real news from Japans NHK-World in English just click the following http://jibtv.com/ then click the " On Air " tab.

Pretty much everyone who are going to donate have all ready. However if you would like to continue to do so long term & what to know beyond all reasonable doubt your donations are getting to the people please goto HirokoChannel and make a direct donation. Though she is currently having problems getting it setup please visit the site once a week for by her own admission it should be up & running in another week or so.

Another way to donate & show or rather wear your good deed with pride you can visit CafePress . 10% of all sales from the " Japan relief " merchandise namely the T-shirts will goto the Red Cross.

Well with all this despair one could use some cheering up. Then by all means if you like Japanese comedy specifically Batsu-games you can download them here Ggakifiles.Blogspot . Some are sub-titled & some not, but if you are a fan like me you'll laugh just the same.

Lastly there is the latest Morning Musume release of thier 45th single. I like the song, not so much the outfits & even less the PV, but as they say "everybody is a critic". It's good to see the 9th Generation finally. I feel they did very well & despite being thrown to the wolves, sort of speak with a Spring concert right around the corner plus school ( people tend to forget about that ), I have high hopes they will do just fine. The following is thier PV. Enjoy courtsey of thier offical YouTube channel.

Maji de suka suka 

Interview with english subs ( view on YT & turn on cc )

The American Media

A Happy Birthday to Linlin.

A Happy 20th Birthday to Linlin formerly of Morming Musume.

Whaa! Where to begin. She joined first as a Hello!Project Egg in January of 2007 then later with Junjun & Mitsui Aika as the 8th generation of the group in the Summer of the same year. Great credit to her for over coming the language barrier though both her & Junjun were largely ingored in the beginning she more then proved herself as a worthy member.

A 2nd "happy girl" to Niigaki Risa she is one whom has an aura about her. A light if you will flowing from her pure heart. One who has mastered unconditional love at such an early age in which impresses me the most. I love her quirks of how she laughs, by dropping to the floor/ground & either pointing or over doing it with arm movements. Also she tends to be gullible at times at the amusement of others. She takes love serious & never for granted for if you are lucky enough to be called a friend of hers you are turely blessed.

After returning to China she's has been quite busy and/or lazy to blog much anymore. It remains to be seen what she will doing for a living, but I'm sure we'll hear something by years end. I can only hope she takes the time to celebrate her birthday with family & old friends.

Linlin's Graduation message & solo

Lillin's Blog

Disclaimer: I am in no way condoning you or anyone else to up/down load Copy Right material. Do with the information below as you will.

If you wish to download her & Junjun's graduation memorial first do the following.

1.) Download & install uTorrent 

2.) Goto the website Hello!Online ( a Hello!Project fan site ) an register

3.) Now that you have access to the " Tracker " section of the website after logging in. Here is the link to thier Memorial Special 

4.) Open media with Windows Media Player upon download completion

Morning Musume's 45th Single "Maji Desu ka Ska!" radio rip

I've been harsh or critical in the past of Tsunku-sans writing, specifically the music. Therefore most of Morning Musume's singles in the past I never seem to like upon there release. However I do in the end for they "grow" on me over time. For example "Kimagure Princess" took 10 months before I finally liked it, though see'ing it performed live helped.

So as you might of guessed I don't care to much for the music set to this one, but not as badly as previous releases. Listening to it over & over as I'm blogging here lol. Overall I do like how it's sung though. I think the 9th generation did a good job however it will take some time getting use to the "new" sound for I keep trying to look for & hear Eri, Junjun & Linlin voices *cries*. I can only imagine more songs with youth in mind then the adult ones we have become use to of late.

Well that's my two cents worth so here is the preview untill such time as it found & removed by Up Front Agengcy/Works.

Morning Musume's 45th Single

Blogger couldn't find the video thus the link

9th Generations recordings part 1/2

part 2/2

Dance practice

Get to know the 9th Generation of Morning Musume

It has nearly been two months all ready since the 9th Gen. joined, wow where does the time go! I realized I don't know a thing about them & sense I care about the soul / personality then physical beauty I went out of curiosity to see if any one had complied something on the new members & sure enough someone did so. Disclaimer: There is no way I can independently verify the information presented thus one must take such with some scepticism.

So first a closer look at Fukumura Mizuki 譜久村聖

Some were disapointed that Tsunku-san added an Hello!Porject Egg member to the group. In which makes no sense to me why some would think in this way for what is the point in having them to begin with? I'm surprised some have not been added to C-ute in my opinion. Sadly there are a number of them in or reaching thier late teens & with a culture obsessed with youth the remaining Eggs may find no place among the exsisting groups. Time will tell.

I myself am happy for her being added & was disapointed that my favorite Egg member Saho Akari wasn't, but better then nothing.

Points of interest for me. One, she's a wota of the very group she now finds herself apart as Niigaki Risa was when she joined being a big fan of Abe Natsumi. I feel this is a great part of her persona for it keeps her grounded & humble like Takahashi Ai. There have been times when the reality of her dream hits her & has been emotional at times. Understandable. 

Two, her "motto" is her faith in others. Something I lack for I've lost my faith in my fellow man ( too much Fox News / following Politics ). She is an inspiration to me.

Third, "She seems to be getting attached to Mitsui Aika". I can not think of a better Senpai for her. Aika-chan has such a pure heart & shouldn't be leaving MM anytime soon.

And now a closer look at Ikuta Erina 生田衣梨奈 

Quickly becoming the least popular member because her facial looks aren't good enough & being reserved doesn't help. Much like Konno Asami suffered till she became well endowed. Men! So hollow & simple minded. Yes I know I'm one thank you very much, I strive to be a honorable good man.

Points of interest for me. One, though there is no replacement for Kamei Eri she does have simularities in her persona when Eri-chan joined. Shy & "sleeping" as a favorite hobby & can "sleep anywhere"? MM seems to have a new "turtle" among them.

Two, I feel she will be the backbone of the 9th Gen. simply by observing her behavior. What she lacks in beauty by some peoples opinion in mine she more then makes up for it spiritualy. She has potencial to develop a pure heart as Konkon, Linlin & Aika have before her. If she continues to be ignored I'll be more then happy to be her sole American fan 8)>

And now a closer look at Sayashi Riho 鞘師里保

Clearly full of so much potencial & promise. Her previous experience obviously shows and seriously I'm looking forward to the upcoming Spring tour ( in which I feel is way to soon putting them all under excessive stress / pressure ). A late Summer tour would of been more idea.

Points of interest for me. One, her unbelieveable level of confidence.

Two, and who does she choose to look up to? None other then Ai-chan herself. Of course we all know she will be leaving us soon in which is the sad part. I'd of liked for her to grown under her leadership & can only hope she can learn from Ai-chan in what time that there is, though Risa the last member of the "golden era" will be there for her 8)

And now a closer look at Suzuki Kanon 鈴木香音



Credited for reminding the fans of Ogawa Makoto when she joined being energetic, extroverted & chatty I find her some what annoying, but nothing on the level of Kasumi Kohura ( no offense ) in which I just couldn't stand *laughing*. I'm sure she will surprise me over the years & I might just eat my words ( like anyone will remind me ) in time.

Points of interest for me, one being clearly the weakest member ( dancing ) her looking to Sayashi Riho will only improve her skills & like Konkon before her I am looking forward to see that progress.

Two, the further similaities to Mako-chan of "she wants to learn foreign languages and travel around the world" 8)

So who do you think who among these four is my favorite member? The only hint you get is "not who you first think of or the obvious choice". Anyhoo enjoy reading about them & time we will tell if the information provided is acurate.

Credits: Hello!Project Wiki Morning Musume  & to Raffi for the images.

My all time top artist ~ Kitaro 喜多郎

I had never seen before or since in my lifetime anyone that as talented ( plays multiple instruments ), gifted ( conducts / writes ) & passionate about thier form of art then Kitaro. I was in my late teens when I started spending a lot of time with my cousin Jim whom introduce me to him way back in 1987 and have been a fan ever since. The first CD I bought was " Ki " & loved every song. Over the decades, yes thats right decades , I have been able to support him & own roughly 80% of his CD releases. His music hits me on a spiritual level & thus equate such to my worship of God. Why? Can not stand gospel music. No offense, but to me it is like kissing Gods butt. Gods know of your love, do so in secret for God sees in secret, for I say unto you those who do so in public have thier reward among men ( paraphrasing ). Anyhoo as you have seen he has been around for over 40 years thus I am sure you will find songs that you will like ( Samples ) . The following is just to get you feet wet.

Note:Custom videos set to his music.

Romance

Clouds in the Sky

I had the pleasure to see him live in concert in 1995. The feelings, the emotions were / are indescribable. So if you choose to follow his works all I can say is enjoy! You will not be disapointed.

You Tube channels of J-vloggers

For those interested in Japan here are some video bloggers I follow.

The Japan Channel An old Aussie living in the country with great wisdom & understanding of the people & its culture. Funny how I've learned more from him then actual Japanese bloggers. A Great place to start is his "How to" playlist.

Tokyo Cooney A American living in Tokyo for the past 10+ years now. Originaly a stand up comic with his twisted point of view of life. Sure to give you a few laughs as you follow his journey.

Hiroko Channel A Japanese women point of view of the country. Great personality, intelligence & wisdom in equal measure. Her website should wish to support her HirokoChannel.com

Last, but not least Heavenly Swan . Sadly he is no longer with us, but well worth your time. Follow his life as he lived it from both first as a foreign exchange student then returning as a teacher.

They are by far quite a few others out there so happy hunting!