Jou no ka / Kiryu

Kanji & Romaji: hiphopvomit
Translation: myself

Lyrics & music: Sakai Mitsuki




情ノ華 [Jou no ka]
Flower of emotions



That hand [of yours] which waits, playing the song of its first experience
What can be wished for     Or maybe nothing can be wished for
Chasing the shadow of an unknown person     A kid lost in many colors
Trying hard to continue the "love"     The void burnt to black
Like looking through the heart swaying to the evening calm
These petals that touched my fingertip, now they left pressure on the back
Flying high like this, what are you seeing now
The path of life     Indeed, the voice resounded along with it
Ah     Screaming it all out
The heart is still beating     It must not die
The rustling heartbeat has disappeared into the sound of rain
If I cleaned my ears I'd walk alone     Leaving someone behind
Hitched words of petals in between of dream and reality
Being in full bloom like this, what are you asking for now
If we both licked this wound out, we would be happy though     Revolving "flower of emotions"
Ah     Even though it hurts, every time the life burns out
The heart is still beating     It must not die
Even though that body [of yours] rots away, withering, scattering and disappearing      The lingering scent is still floating on the dew
Being in full bloom like this, what are you fluttering about now
Being in full bloom like this, what are you thinking of now
Being in full bloom like this, what are you asking for now
So is the life pale, the sun can show through it       Revolving "flower of emotions"
Ah      Raise your voice as you're choking with tears
The heart is still beating     It must not die

Discussion:

Most likely a song about love. This time I'm going to let you interpret it by yourselves as I didn't spot any fancy motifs in the lyrics. orz
One thing I can tell is that this is a happy version of Oborozukiyo which I'm yet to translate.

Misemono kitan / Kiryu

Kanji & Romaji: hiphopvomit
Translation: myself

Lyrics: Kurosaki Mahiro
Music: Kujou Takemasa

見世物鬼譚 [Misemono kitan]

Bizarre ghost show

Somewhere over yonder, both here and there, candied apples are sweet talk made to deceive

The gatekeeper:

"Come, come on, alas, please, stand up everyone! The one presented to your eyes is..."

The fool:
"Applause?!"

Your imprinted fate is to be detested by an inexperienced, innocent young lady covered in tears

Chorus:

"Parent's karma is to repay the child!"

Audience:

"Hey, hey ho!"

Going in is easy, but returning is hard

Take your disguise off (you may pass) (1)

Chorus:

"Clap your hands and whatnot, please, take a look!"

Boiling dullards:

"Love and peace!" (2)

-Repertoire-

Kannon's opening (3)

Three generations    Of     Good     Intoxicated     Night  (yoiyassa)

Ocharaka ochara ocharaka hoi! (4) (saisai)

Even if one bends over     Besiege    And show no mercy (once again)

High praise     Great joy     Agonizing cries (5) (hey, hey)

Nonsense     Complaints     Grumbling

Crotch blooming inside the peeping hole of pleasure has been caught when dripping wet

The judge:

"Right into the phallus! Thousand needles!"

A person reborn into the animal realm:
"Stab it! Stab it! Stab it!"

To chop the ears off     And scoop the eyeballs out      Walls have eyes, doors have ears

Myriads of peasants: (6)
"Throat is already night, ended up being caught"

Curious onlookers:
"Hey, hey ho!"

Going in is easy, but returning is hard
Take your skin off (you may pass)

Chorus:
"Clean your bloodshot eyes and please, look carefully!"

Silhouette of many wriggling evil spirits: (7)
"Love and peace!"

-Repertoire-

Kaitai Shinsho (8)

Three realms    Of     Good     Intoxicated     Night  (yoiyassa)

Ocharaka ochara ocharaka hoi! (saisai)

Madmen    Idiots    Brutes (once again)

Wrecks     Remains     Shameless cruelty (hey, hey)

Lunatic dance performance of the six paths of transmigration

-Repertoire-

Western Paradise (9)

Three pierces    Of     Good     Intoxicated     Night  (yoiyassa)

Ocharaka ochara ocharaka hoi! (saisai)

Conceit    Drinking    Spinning top (once again)

Feast     Ecstasy     Pandemonium (10) (hey, hey)

A storm of applause


Footnotes:

1. A reference to Japanese children tune (warabe uta) - Tooryanse
2. Wasshoi is a shout during Japanese festivals; it means something like bring the peace
3. 観音開き [kannonbiraki] actually stands for double doors opening from the center, however the 観音 [kannon] part of it is a reference to the bodhisattva of mercy - Kannon; she comes in a plethora of forms and six of them are believed to rescue the beings of each path of transmigration
4. A reference to Japanese children game - Ocharaka; this part is a line from warabe uta associated with this game which is actually made up words
5. 阿鼻叫喚 [abikyoukan] - agonizing cries; this word consists of two out of eight hot buddhist jigoku (see: discussion): 阿鼻 [abi] - the most severe jigoku of endless torments, one cannot be reincarnated from it and the dweller is entrapped there for eternity; 叫喚 [kyoukan] - jigoku of screams, for murderers, thieves, swindlers and lechers
6. Actually, 1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 of peasants; that's a lot of peasants
7. 鬼 kanji can mean either demon or spirit
8. It was the very first book of human anatomy and medicine in Japan; translated from Dutch to Japanese in the Edo period
9. A place in buddhist Heaven; pure land Sukhavati
10. 百鬼夜行 [hyakki yakou] - Night parade of one hundred demons (more: Hyakki yakou), veritable pandemonium or just many monsters and spirits

Discussion:

Since you cannot spell funeral without fun, today I'm going to talk about things that happen after you die, of course according to Buddhist doctrines. So grab your popcorn and enjoy the show!

As I probably told many times, the very basics of Buddhism is believing in reincarnation and because the human's nature varies between individuals, you may end up at one of the six paths (of transmigration) available, depending on how good or bad you were during your previous lives (karma). If you were good enough you may achieve Enlightenment, as shown in my Hadoma yori translation. However, Enlightenment is not the main topic of this song, so let's focus on the transmigration alone for the time being.

Well, the aforementioned paths are:

1. Divine beings/Deva (tennou):
   You've been reborn here? Well, congratulations. That means you were good enough to get your well deserved rest from pain, distress and all those unhappy things. Mind the fact it's only temporary and it's still not Enlightenment and you may be too lazy to work towards it. Good luck next time!
2. Humans (ningen):
   I'm a human. What now? Humans possess the highest awareness as said before and it is actually the shortest path to achieve Enlightenment, yet very tricky and that's why you will probably be reborn as something more sketchy or as another human (if you were lucky enough) rather than become enlightened.
3. Fighting ghosts/demons (ashura):
   If you're in this realm, this is your punishment for being angry and hateful. Ashura are technically demigods, semi-blessed beings, since they have a slightly more pleasurable existence than humans. However, this realm is by no means a piece of cake. Here, you will continuously combat and struggle as a violent warrior, endlessly die in your battle and reborn again to continue the fight. You will be forever jealous and envious towards the Deva whatsoever. Medieval Japanese believed that those warriors who died at the battlefield would be reborn as Ashura haunting the human realm at night to continue the skirmish with their enemies.
4. Hungry ghosts (gaki):
   But what if you were too lustful and possessive in your previous life or lives? Welcome to the Gaki realm! Now you are unable to soothe even your hunger or thirst, you will die in pain in order to be reborn again and suffer more.
5. Animals (chikushou):
   This is your reward for being a retard intellectually disabled, I mean, utterly stupid. And because non-human animals don't possess enough awareness, it is really difficult for one to be reborn as something different than another animal.
6. Hell dwellers (naraka):
   This realm is something that will most likely make Christian hell seem like a spa&wellness center. Essentially, Naraka considers every kind of sins, hence it consists of eight hot and eight cold "hells" (jigoku). Each jigoku has its own lesser hells, for each of you, sinners! Naraka is also structured. The jigoku are placed one after another and the deeper, the more severe and merciless they become. Be kind, otherwise, one of more than 270 places of tortures will be your new home. 

Now with this brief explanation, I can tell you what's actually happening in this song. It is written in a form of a script, because it is meant to be a spectacle of sorts. But not just any spectacle. A misemono, that is. During the Edo period (1603 - 1868), misemono were a form of cheap entertainment, urban mainstream of sorts. It could've been anything from your freak-shows, through circus kind of things, to regular (but weird!) performances. The more bizarre, the better. They were often set during local festivals (matsuri) or near temples and shrines in order to raise funds whatsoever.

Summing up, Mahiro's version of misemono revolves around (ha ha, pun intended) the six path of transmigration, where the beings of each path are the main subjects of the show.

Watashi ha kairai, sarugutsuwa no ningyou / Kiryu

Kanji: rocklyric, hiphopvomit
Romaji: hiphopvomit
Translation: myself

Music & lyrics: Sakai Mitsuki





私ハ傀儡、猿轡ノ人形 [Watashi ha kairai, sarugutsuwa no ningyou]
I am a puppet, a gagged doll



Scratching the scabs off     Thoroughly     Unworn
Tracing with a finger
To make sure of the "I"
Virtuous blade forcibly stuffed into oneself chops one's veins up
Coming off     Crumbling down
A vague distortion has been left
Will I be able to see through the other side, from that point through this side
Leftover scum in between of meat and fringernails
It was once a beautiful joke I deeply yearned for
Now as well...
It's washing away     Breaking down
Certain, unknown substance has been left
Drinking up even the vomit     Biting the hand crawling out of my troat
"I am a puppet, a gagged doll"
Rusty voice drowned in saliva violates and eats me up
Overflowing when asking     Yet another "hole" appears
Having no reflection     One silent puppet bound to black handcuffs
If I tried to touch... Slithering... Slithering...


Discussion:

What is this song all about? Hmm, I wonder. Though! I have a theory.

Suicide, that is.

When one commits a suicide, they generally believe to get to a better place after death. But there's a catch when you are a Japanese.

I once talked about dying and funerals in Japan under my Rengoku translation. I mentioned there that Buddhist Japan performs cremation rite in order to purify the soul of a deceased. so it can transmigrate and start a new life. Essentially, if you kill yourself at an unknown place, your soul cannot go through the cycle of death and rebirth, because the cadaver couldn't be cremated. Therefore, the subject of the song was ultimately unable to reach their deeply yearned better place and they ended up left to decay at their place of death.

The translation, as shown, can seem a bit messy. I did my best with those lyrics written in such a weird manner though. And my interpretation might be a bit far-fetched, although the MV for the song gave me a glimpse of its meaning.

Amaterasu / Kiryu (DOUBLE DELUXE..of sorts)

Kanji & Romaji: hiphopvomit (天照 | アマテラス)
Translation: myself

Lyrics & music: Sakai Mitsuki




天照 [Amaterasu]
Amaterasu / Goddess of the Sun



Spit lie fell down     Making a faint noise
If told, it would easily collapse     An obsolete, tender song

Clapping and cheering when dancing to a comedic tragedy

If I tried to look up without tears running through my cheeks

Even now, the heavens (1) are like that of THAT day     Unchanging    "Dull colored pattern"(2)
Nevertheless, the love speaks of dreams     Laughing while facing the heavens up
Even though I hold my mind to stop crying    Cheeks are getting wet by     "Dull colored pattern"
At vapors of the dream    The heavens are evilly laughing

At the end of loitering in the darkness, what will come out, a demon or a snake (3)
Lie     Truth    In the middle [of them]  appearing and disappearing "Amaterasu"

I'm unable to reach THIS hand, even though I'm following it    I can't get rid of the handcuffs because of a lie
Deceiving and ridiculing, singing and dancing (4)     The truth disappears into the darkness

Clapping and cheering when dancing to a comedic tragedy

Pretending not to see the mind that laments "It hurts"

Even now, the heavens are like that of THAT day     Unchanging    "Dull colored pattern"
Nevertheless, the love speaks of dreams     Laughing while facing the heavens up
Even though I hold my mind to stop crying    Cheeks are getting wet by     "Dull colored pattern"
At vapors of the dream    The heavens are evilly laughing

Is it yet...
Not yet... (5)

Echoing power of language (6)

Burst and flew away on the wind towards the other side     Love, dream, everything

Even now, the heavens are like that of THAT day     Unchanging    "Dull colored pattern"
Nevertheless, the love speaks of dreams     Laughing while facing the heavens up
Love is illusion    Dream is evanescence     Will it vanish or scatter    "Dull colored pattern"
When killed, dazzingly glittering flower blooms

______________________________________________________________ 

アマテラス [Amaterasu]
Amaterasu / Goddess of the Sun



One lie stuck to lips    Is a faint noise
Brittle when told     Crumbling from the old age     Therefore, it's a tender melody
I'm unable to reach THIS hand, even though I'm following it    Handcuffs I can't get rid of are a lie

Deception is the reason     Ridiculing, singing and dancing     The truth disappears into the darkness

Cheering when dancing to a comedic tragedy

Even now, the heavens are like that of THAT day     Unchanging dull colored pattern

Nevertheless, the love speaks of dreams     The dream is laughing while facing the heavens up

Even though I clench my teeth to stop crying    Cheeks are getting wet by the dull colored pattern

The dream is still in vapors   The heavens are laughing while facing me up

Is floating on the fate of loitering the path of a snake

Resounding lamentation

In the middle of the lie and the truth, appearing and disappearing

"Amaterasu"

Will the love disappear in the illusion or    Will the dream scatter into the evanescence if I touch it

When killed, dazzingly glittering flower blooms     The heavens are laughing while facing me up

Footnotes:

1. Sung as 空 [sora] which means (astronomical) sky
2. Wordplay (??): 鈍色模様 [nibuiro moyou] actually stands for dark grey pattern, but if we dissect it into 鈍 [nibu] - dull and 色模様 [iromoyou] - colored pattern, we can translate it to dull colored pattern; 色模様 can also mean love scene
3. It's an actual proverb in Japan (鬼が出るか蛇が出るか [oni ga deru ka, ja ga deru ka]); means an outcome which is difficult to predict
4. A play on 歌舞伎 [kabuki] - traditional Japanese form of performance
5. A reference to Japanese version of hide and seek (kakurenbo): the one who "seeks" counts and asks is it yet? (mou ii kai?) while people who "hide" themselves reply with not yet (maada da yo) when not ready or It is yet (mou ii yo) when ready
6. In accordance to Japanese beliefs, the words have their own spirit and magical powers, therefore we ought to be careful what we say, because it may have a huge impact on ourselves or surrounding us people; this power of words is called kotodama

Discussion:

The one who illuminates the sky, I mean, Amaterasu. This most important god of Japanese Shintou is the one who had been sent to the heavens to be the Sun of the world. I often stated that she's the progenitor of Japanese imperial family and the emperors themselves. However, she's also a symbol. Of things. I mean, Amaterasu represents life and fertility as the sacred embodiment of the Sun. 

I think that she can also represent hope and mercy, since her buddhist counterpart is Kannon which would make sense here.

The rest of the song is relatively easy to understand. Our well known motif of lost love which was meant to last forever. Appearing and disappearing Amaterasu, like the sun illuminates the sky stand for a bright day and happiness/well-being for the subject.

Again, I decided to put two songs that correspond with each other. Lyrics are basically the same, just paraphrased.

Kasane / Kiryu [R]

Kanji: rocklyric
Romaji: my ears did well
Translation: myself

Lyrics & music: Sakai Mitsuki

Tenge / Kiryu

Kanji & Romaji: hiphopvomit
Translation: myself

Lyrics: Kurosaki Mahiro, Tokai Junji
Music: Kujou Takemasa




天華 [Tenge]
Beautiful flower blooming in the heavens



Beloved ____,

It is already Fall in full swing, the treetops have turned crimson as well.
-omission-
This chest, it seems to [still] experience the pain of love.
The warmth     Even now     Still can be felt.
I miss you.

Brilliantly illuminating sunbeam streaming through leaves painfully pierces through heart

Where are you, dear (1)... I am always waiting for you
Damaged sky (2)     Changes color to red
Since he passed away (3)    He withered alive      Turning into the wind
In the light of demise     I hold up both hands over my head

Dear ____,

It is continuously raining (4), the cloudy (5) sky is crying.
-omission-
I'll certainly come back with a smile on my face
A bashful photography as a memento.
Please     That is all...

Gently swaying bonfire is rapidly and heavily sparkling

Where are you, dear... I am always calling you
Damaged sky     Changes color to red
Since I passed away (3')     I have broken down (6) and perished     Turning into the wind
In the light of demise     I held up both hands over my head

"My love, turned out unfortunate"

Where are you, dear... I am always blooming
Believing to grasp [your hand]    I held up both of my hands over my head
He passed away (3) and      Because I passed away (3')      Even though still falling apart...
Withering away as it is    The flower does not rot away

Being reborn as a single beautiful flower blooming in the heavens (7)


Footnotes:

Note: sentences written in italics aren't sung in the song

1. The word used here is 君 [kimi] - nowadays used as a very informal you, mostly by men as a part of male speech, however as an obsolete part of the language, it used to be a humble reference to the imperials, feudal lords and other important people involved in ruling or a very affectionate way of saying you (used by lovers); though, in red light districts, they called prostitutes that way as well
2. Wordplay of sorts: used 蒼 [ao] - blue, young but sung as 空 [sora] - the sky
3. For regular (3) - 行く [iku / yuku] - to go (physically); for (3') - 征く [iku / yuku] - to go (mentally, spiritually)
4. Cold rain, that is
5. Lit. the sky in its dominant colors
6. As in soul detaching from one's body, I reckon
7. 天華 [tenge] may actually refer to either that aforementioned flower or to paper lotus flowers scattered before the Buddha's image; here it is a simile to the human soul; fun fact: 天華 [tenka] - snow

Discussion:

Letters. The way of communication, still alive even though we live in the era of computers, even in Japan. But how do Japanese people write letters?

Let's go back to the Kamakura period (1192 - 1333 AD), when the actual epistolary style, known as 候文 [souroubun] had started to shine. The name is derived from an auxilary, archaic verb 候ふ [sourou] used as simply to be or as a form of polite language. This verb was also a requirement when expressing oneself in souroubun.

The structure itself involved the usage of kobun (bungo). This form of language derives from Heian period (794 - 1185/1192 AD) and was preserved later on (being the standard until around 1930) as a literary language. As Japanese writing system consists of kana (katakana + hiragana) and kanji, what is characteristic for kobun is a phenomenon called rekishiteki kanazukai - historical kana usage (in a general use until the end of World War II though). It means additional, obsolete pieces of kana (ゐ & ヰ [wi], ゑ & ヱ [we]; sometimes still used in names in some regions) as well as major spelling differences in both words and grammar structures. However in souroubun, those grammar structures of kobun were replaced by their China speak equivalents making it look like Chinese, but it was actually Japanese regardless of the differences in word orders between both languages.
(Chinese is subject-predicate-object whereas Japanese is subject-object-predicate in case you were curious)

Until the Edo period (1603 - 1868 AD), souroubun had been perceived as a casual, literary form of writing letters in spite of its polite style. Later on, it turned into an official epistolary style of the government whatsoever, giving it a very formal overtone. In 1920, it fell out of fashion.

Nowadays, souroubun is no longer used and the style isn't particularly specified, yet the modern way of writing letters is still structured and certain expressions are essential. The style may be casual, polite (neutral) or even humble, depending on who is your recipient. Also, the structure and the nature of the letter change when you write horizontally or vertically (horizontal are considered formal), yet the core itself is the same regardless. I'd like to focus on the core though, because it's universal and it actually matters in the lyrics.

Basically, you are supposed to follow a certain template:

1. Note your current weather, make a reference to the following season, wish for good health
2. Write your main text, mind appropriate expressions
3. Close the letter with your request, again wish for good health

Now, why did I produce this much text on the letters? Simple: the construction Tenge harbors letters. Love letters, that is. Those letters are written in a polite language with elements of rekishiteki kanazukai and make the stanza of the song. I believe, it is meant to mimic souroubun in a way (but without the sourou thing and involvement of Chinese), to preserve the very literary and poetic style of the lyrics. The chorus however, is written in kobun with a female first person narrative.

In this intricate setting, a certain tragic story takes place. I think, it's about an unfortunate couple. A girl, whose lover dies prematurely, decides to look for him in the afterlife, meaning, she also passes away. I reckon, the boy died in a war or something because the first letter is probably from the girl and the second letter comes from the boy and they do say that the couple was however separated, but my suspicions might be far-fetched.

I'm not an expert when it comes to letters and resources on souroubun are relatively limited and not consistent in terms of facts, but I hope I somewhat managed to present the topic in a fairly palatable way.

Koigokoro / Kiryu (original vs. rearranged)

Kanji & Romaji: hiphopvomit (original | rearranged)
Translation: myself

Lyrics & music: Sakai Mitsuki





恋心 [Koigokoro]
Enlivening love
Original version from Shuugetsuheika EP (2008)



Because my wishes (1) weren't fulfilled
I drew you within my imagination
Night after night, I'm alone
With you as my secret

Yet, I'm not satisfied
So I drew you within my imagination
What if someday everything about you was snatched away...

These relapsing conflicts
What should I do to overcome them?
Nobody can see the real intentions (2)
Or speak... Still, I...
Become the sacrifice for the sake of "enlivening love"

My feelings have been betrayed...
My tears trampled on...
I just wanted to protect you, yet
I'm too powerless in current state...
Your tears dried up already...
Your smile vanished as well...
To get rid of unrest of begging you,
I just want to protect happiness...

                                                                                                                              

恋心 -再構築- [Koigokoro -saikouchiku-] (no vid available)
Enlivening love -rearranged-
Rearranged version from Hyakki yakou full album (2016)



Unfulfilled thought is tempting me     What's the meaning of one's happiness, and...
Unfulfilled thought pulled my hand     What's lost for one's happiness

I come and go around in circles      Dizzy decomposition (3)
I approach and return to rot in stagnation     Brilliantly crumbling down

Entrusting the body alone to the thought     I got lost in a twisted distortion
Calamity given to you     Tender feelings unable to turn into "love"
Lies and fiction     Dripping honey     Tingling sweetness     Getting indulged [in that]
While lamenting alone... I wish from the bottom of my heart

"I want you to be happy"

Tears and even smile withered away, yet you're my aesthetics


Footnotes:

1. Or thought, feeling
2. 本音 [honne] - what one really thinks; the opposite is 建て前 [tatemae] - what one says to people (usually fabricated)
3. I came up with a clever response to what Mitsuki commited there: ROTation; I humbly apologize for my unfunny dad jokes

Discussion:

No hidden meanings, no intricate motifs... And I hope that the translations are clear enough to understand what's going on. However, if something is not really comprehensible, tell me in the comment section, I shall elaborate.

The reason why I decided to put these two versions in one post is my pure curiosity itself. Also, I thought that it would be easier for you to compare them.

Musically, original Koigokoro was relatively crazy enough as a song. In the rearranged version, Mitsuki added some more spice which is also noticeable in lyrics. To the point I almost accused him of composing another eroguo-esque song. This 8 year time skip made me realize that I really should start translating Kiryu's older songs. I believe, it is a good way to see how the band has changed throughout years. I remember Mitsuki saying that he has become more wild and brave in what he composes now.

It's a decade this year after all.

Bakeneko / Kiryu

Kanji & Romaji: hiphopvomit
Translation: myself

Lyrics & music: Sakai Mitsuki




化猫 [Bakeneko]
Bakeneko / Monster cat



The karma of a person who wields the powers of life and death     Countless heartburn episodes
Blearing disguise (1) reflects in the eyes of a decapitated head

The thirst for your privation suffering... Soundly rings inside the throat (2)

Shaking from fear is but pathetic
The panic is kind of laughable
Screaming from grief is but pathetic
Shall be severely punished by the sharpened claws

If I was able to love...
If I were loved...
A silent cadaver would suffice...
Put into a cage     The experienced warmth is painful
Stolen words...
Broken heart...
Fall into the hell...

"Complete (3) darkness"

Regret of grudges is left behind... As I greedily devour

A request that leaked out of the mouth, spreaded the odor of rot around
The end of being dragged around     Revolving crimson lantern

The thirst for your privation suffering... Soundly rings inside the throat

Footnotes:

1. As in 化けの皮を剥ぐ [bake no kawa wo hagu] - to unmask one's true nature / intentions; lit. to rip off one's disguise / face's skin
2. Fun thing to notice: it is written 咽喉 [inkou] - throat, but sung as 喉 [nodo] - throat; 咽 in and of itself may stand for simply throat or choked
3. 丸い [marui] actually means round, spherical, but for me round darkness sounds, well, anile so I went a bit deeper; 丸 alone can mean inter alia round or perfection

Discussion:

Almost everyone I know loves kitties (including myself). Fluffy and warm, cute balls of fur. But if you are Japanese and your lovely feline companion manages to live over whopping 10-13 (some legends say it's 40) years, is a bit too fluffy and/or has an extraordinarily long tail (there's a reason why bobtail cats are a thing in Japan; safety first), it may transform into a mythical creature, known as bakeneko (lit. monster cat). Essentially, bakeneko are shapeshifters, much like their fox counterparts kitsune (I have already talked a bit about kitsune in Kyuubi [R]), they also possess a unique ability of making puppets out of fresh dead bodies - necromancy. They jump a couple times over a corpse in order to revive and control it.

With this brief explanation in mind, one might figure the reason behind the title Bakeneko out. I reckon, it is about a demon cat disguised as a human that wanted to be loved, but it turned out that their beloved one broke her (yup, I think it is feminine narration) heart in some way, hence our bakeneko kills her lover and since she still harbors some feelings for them, she performs necromancy on him.

Wow, Mitsuki and your love stories.

Nochi no koyoi / Kiryu [R]

Kanji & Romaji: hiphopvomit
Translation: myself

Lyrics: Kurosaki Mahiro
Music: Kujou Takemasa

Note: Okay, this one might be truly disturbing for some individuals. Not recommended if you're a sensitive person. Like, really.