Discography: Sen no Yoru to Sen no Hiru

01 Sen no Yoru to Sen no Hiru (Words+Music+Arrange: Gen Ueda)
02 Hakuya (Words: HUSSY_R Music+Arrange: Eric Mouquet from Deep Forest)
03 TRUE COLORS (Words+Music: Tom Kelly, Billy Steinberg Arrange: Kou Mamiya)
Epic Records Japan
Released: June 11, 2003
Catalog Number: ESCL-2410
Barcode: 4988010005870
Note: This is a COPY CONTROL CD (CCCD) that uses Sony’s Label Gate technology. Mac users (like me) can’t put this technology to work since the Mac OS is not currently supported by Sony. Windows users can insert the CD in their PC and access Sony’s Label Gate network which enables the purchaser of the disc to download a license. After downloading a license, the buyer of the disc will be able to playback the song as a MAGIQLIP (it has the same quality as an MD’s LP2 recording) using Apple’s QuickTime technology (go figure).

An interesting point

I received an email yesterday from a site visitor (who I assume is from Japan) who pointed out in the subject line of his/her email: “It (Chitose) is not okinawan music.” The contents (presented as is) of the email are as follows:

I think, Chitose hjime (sic.), she is not okinawan. Also, Amami music is big different then (sic.) okinawan music.

Okinawansongs (sic.) are not sung in falsetto.

My reply follows…

Yes, you are partly right. Chitose is not “technically” Okinawan and Amami music is “technically” different from Okinawan music. But, there are similarities in the culture, history, and music between these two islands.

As you know, Amami was part of the Ryukyu Kingdom some 400 years ago so despite the distance in space and time between the two islands, you’ll still find some similarities like language for instance.

Are you from Okinawa or Amami? I think this is a very good subject to discuss online and it would be great to have someone who is from either island give their view on this subject. Since I am here in Hawaii, it is quite simple for me to make a connection between Amami and Okinawa based on the shared history between the two. However, for someone who actually lives in the area, maybe he/she may not think this is a strong case (i.e., to make the assumption that Amami is “technically” still part of Okinawa).

I am not sure if you are aware of the collaboration between Rikki Nakano and Okinawan musicians from a few years ago. It was interesting for me to see an island I have heard so little about using the sanshin and the lyrics from their music having some similarities with the Okinawan language. This made (and still makes) me want to learn more about Amami’s music and culture.

Okinawan songs are not sung in falsetto and neither is Amami songs right? I believe Amami songs are sung in a higher register than Okinawan songs but that is not what I believe falsetto is. Falsetto is singing beyond the upper register beyond the singer’s normal range which is something we have in Hawaiian music (I’m from Hawaii) and it is very different from just singing in a higher register which is what I believe Amami music is. Perhaps the same can be said of Yaeyama music as they also use a higher register than Okinawan music.

Anyway, I apologize for the length of this email, and I must thank you for sending me your view of this matter. I will continue to support Chitose’s music because I simply like her music very much. :) For me, what is more important than this Amami/Okinawa issue is how great of an artist she is, so although it may seem strange for some to see her featured on an Okinawan pop culture site, that to me is secondary to my love of her music and talent.

Take care and I hope to hear from you again,

Richie Yamashiroya
riccin@internet-okinawa.com
http://pop.internet-okinawa.com/blog/

I think I’ve kept any mention of Okinawa (well, not counting this entry) out of this weblog so I believe his/her point is aimed at the fanblog being hosted as part of my Okinawan pop culture site. Any thoughts?

Discography: Shima Kyora Umui

01 Asabana Bushi
02 Naga Asabana Bushi
03 Shonjoshu Bushi
04 Kurudando Bushi
05 Kantsume Bushi
06 Shunkane Bushi
07 Rankan-bashi Bushi
08 Amagurumi Bushi
09 Shumichi Nagahama Bushi
10 Kadokunabe Kana Bushi
11 Kun-nyori Yonejo-ago Bushi
12 Naga Kumo Bushi
13 Mucha Kana Bushi
14 Choukikujo Bushi
15 Itokuri Bushi
16 Yoisura Bushi
17 Ikyun-nya Kana Bushi
18 Ikyoure Bushi
19 Kuba nu Ha Bushi
20 Magaryo Takachiji Bushi
21 Shougachigin Bushi
22 Hounen Bushi
Central Gakki
Released: n/a
Catalog Number: C-17
Barcode: n/a

Chito-ya, the top Chitose fan site in Japan

Chito-ya is the top fan site for Chitose in Japan. The site has been around since February 6, 2002, and has had over 80,000 visitors so far! It’s also a beautiful site and it seems to be updated quite often by Ryuca Natsuki.

The official site of Hajime Chitose?

While debating on whether to register a domain for Chitose, I stumbled upon a site — an official site — under the url: www.hajimechitose.com.


The site is produced by Chitose’s record label, Epic Records Japan Inc., but there’s no mention of it on any of her other official sites. That makes four official sites for her with three from her record label! The more the merrier right?

Discography: Hainumi Kaze

01 Sango Jûgoya (Words: Chitose Hajime & HUSSY_R Music+Arrange: Kou Mamiya)
02 Wadatsumi no Ki (Words+Music+Arrange: Gen Ueda)
03 Natsu no Utage (Words: HUSSY_R Music+Arrange: Kou Mamiya)
04 Hikaru Kaigara (Words: HUSSY_R Music+Arrange: Masayoshi Yamazaki)
05 Shinshin Raika (Words: HUSSY_R Music+Arrange: Kou Mamiya)
06 37.6 (Words: HUSSY_R Music+Arrange: Kou Mamiya)
07 Hatsu Koi (Words: HUSSY_R Music: Fukuji Kimosawa Arrange: Kou Mamiya)
08 Hainumikaze (Words+Music+Arrange: Gen Ueda)
09 Kimi o Omou (Words: Chitose Hajime & HUSSY_R Music: Hashiken Arrange: Kou Mamiya)
10 Rinto Suru (Words: HUSSY_R Music+Arrange: Eric Mouquet from Deep Forest)
Epic Records Japan
Released: July 10, 2002
Catalog Number: ESCL-2320
Barcode: 4988010002268

Still waiting for my copy of “Sen no Yoru to Sen no Hiru”

I won’t be receiving my copy of Chitose’s new single “Sen no Yoru to Sen no Hiru” till another week or two so I won’t be reporting about it till then. I’m a bit disappointed that it’s copy-protected since most of my collection is ripped as mp3 files so I can quickly access them with my old 5 gig iPod. In the meantime, I’ll try to have more lyrics up and complete her discography with two more albums. A reader requested English translations of her songs which is something I have planned in the future.

Chitose’s first nationwide tour

Chitose will be going on her first nationwide tour called “Mitsubishi Motors Presents: Hajime Chitose Concert Tour 2003 ∼ Hajimemashite”. The tour will go on the road from September 2nd to the 25th. She’ll be performing in Kagoshima on Friday, September 5, 2003. I’m sure it’ll be an awesome homecoming for her.

Site News 060603

I’ve been busy with the other sites so I must apologize for not updating this one as often as I’d like to. I’ll make it but by posting some song lyrics and discographies by the end of next week.

Chitose Hajime Fan Group

I received an email from Koek Wei Chew who told me about his Chitose fan group. Looks like he’s just starting out so I decided to join in too.

If you have a fan group you want announced on my Chitose Fanblog feel free to email me.