In 2014, the compass of Johei Nobuo's life changed dramatically. In April of that year, her father suddenly passed away from an aortic rupture. At the age of 20, Nobuo had moved to Tokyo with the aim of becoming a singer, but she decided to take over the family dry cleaning business and left Tokyo, where she had lived for about 13 years.
The words, which sublimate the gaping sense of loss in her heart and express her feelings for her father, were included in four songs, including "Hare Hare," on the mini-album "Ichibanboshi," released in June 2019.
"Hareha" begins with the lyrics, "Last night, my mother hurriedly put udon noodles on top of rice and put curry on top." It is a light-hearted song with a comical scene. In the same year, it was used as the ending song for the RBC Ryukyu Broadcasting's lunchtime program "A Lunch," and became a hot topic.
From the opening lyrics, one would think that the song is describing the daily life with one's mother, but then there is an appeal to the father: "What is dad doing in the sky? Is the cat he picked up warm to him? I want to talk to him. The ordinary days pass by without a trace, and sometimes I miss him, I miss him. The gaunt moon is full before I know it, and I will send it to him in song, remembering the days we've spent together."
"Hare Hare" is paired with "Ichibanboshi" and seems to be a song of encouragement to oneself as they choose to live positively in a new environment.
Kuno has 10 original songs, 8 of which were written in his 20s. "Ichibanboshi" and "Hare Hare" were written in his 30s on Ishigaki Island after returning home. "I express my feelings directly as they are," says Kuno. Dreams that could not be achieved when he was healthy. Feelings that were on the verge of his throat... words of gratitude that he wanted to say. Feelings that flowed out like spring water became songs.
SONG INFO
"Clearly."
2019 Lyrics: Johei Nakuno Music: Strike Company
Words by
Hisano Yohena
Born in 1980 in Ishigaki City. In 2011, he self-produced his first album, "Hajimete no Shunkashuto." In 2019, he released his mini album, "Ichibanboshi," nationwide. Based in Ishigaki Island, he performs at music events on and off the island, at local live music venues, and at major hotels.
