Friday, August 31, 2018

Koinatsu (Summer of Love) - CY8ER [English Translation]

Translation notes: As far as I'm able to tell "Ari ori haberi imasokari" (sung at the beginning of the song and several times throughout) originates from old Japanese literature and is a line used to remember irregular verb forms. Therefore, I've substituted an English learning sentence for it in my translation. However, I went with a modern sentence as I was unable to find an archaic one.

恋夏 - Koinatsu - Summer of Love


I before e except after c
The spirit of summer is aiding me
Now, I before e except after c
Summer begins for me

I feel the light breeze and the night wind, it's an evening rendevous
I can't get used to it, the yukata-clad figures crowding the summer festival
My heartbeat is steadfast, while shoving through the surging crowd
I grip your right hand tightly, I'm feeling kind of hot

My wishes bloom in the sky
This summer of love belongs to just you and me

There, I before e except after c
The spirit of summer is aiding me
Now, I before e except after c
Summer begins for me

Gently, gently, the flower petals fall, a vanishing flash
an unending ringing sound, this hot palpitation urged me on

I can't let go of your hand because
This summer of love belongs to just you and me

Faintly blooming love, only fix your eyes on me
Until our shaved ice melts, let me show you a faint dream

Oh! I before e except after c
The spirit of summer is aiding me
Now, I before e except after c

My summer begins

My summer begins

Saturday, August 18, 2018

Kouisho Romance (After-Effect Romance) - Yunomi [English Translation]

Translation of another Yunomi favorite of mine, Kouisyo Romance.


後遺症ロマンス - Kouisho Romance (After-Effect Romance)


I returned to safety from my 72-hour trip into the deep sea under the tatami mat
My respiratory organs seamlessly resumed working
The long bridge that continues to the neighboring town made a sound and crumbled
A hooligan without a place to go jumped in
A wolf strikes the door
Strikes the door
Strikes the door
I'll sweep away the children!
Let's fire to the end of the telephone line
Let's set a fire
Let's set a fire, my breath stopped again and I dove in

Even now the tiny needle left behind by you in the cave
Is till stuck in my chest
The atmosphere of the sepia summer sky and the shadow
Still look down on me and laugh

3...2...1 loosen the lock and let's return
Pleasant everyday wishes
Change the address and let's regain it
Okay, this is the last thing that bound my arms
The hour is too late
There's already no place for me to go
Regret strikes my eardrums
Strikes my eardrums
Strikes
My perplexed self
I'll call a doctor soon
Hey, a bell is ringing
Bell is ringing
A bell is ringing but the phone isn't working

Even now the tiny needle left behind by you in the cave
Is still stuck in my chest
The atmosphere of the sepia summer sky and the shadow
Still look down on me and laugh

The tip of my nose is tickling
The blue of the soft wind that day
Extends its hand to anywhere
I'll lose something after this point too

Even now the tiny needle left behind by you in the cave
Is till stuck in my chest
The atmosphere of the sepia summer sky and the shadow
Still look down on me and laugh
And laugh

Somatou Labyrinth (Revolving Lantern Labyrinth) - Yunomi [English Translation]

Yunomi is a recent favorite of mine, I strongly recommend checking them out on Bandcamp if you enjoy cute songs with dark undercurrents (though they also have stuff that's just cute!). With no further ado, here's my translation attempt for Somatou Labyrinth.

走馬灯ラビリンス - Somatou Labyrinth (Revolving Lantern Labyrinth)


Turn, turn
The liquid that reveals the new world is flowing
Boiling up, boiling up, the temperature rises plenty past the needed point
Preparations, preparations, were made once more
Up until now I haven't been able to leave the district
It seems like tonight the day is reborn
I tightly closed my eyes
The dark space between six tatami mats is warping
To a journey to forget you
But it's strange-
The inside of my chest is hot like it's burning

Hey, why do revolving lanterns
stop floating around you?
It can't be helped, I continue slipping into the night

It seems like, it seems like
The new world was a fake that existed in name only
The headache I had for three days and three nights became a little better
A labyrinth in the dark space between six tatami mats
Still, still I can't slip out
Again you come out in a dream
Like recollections of a hot summer

It seems I still quietly wish
In a corner of my foggy consciousness
I've lost my way and wish to find you
Why do revolving lanterns
Grow hazy and distant like this?

Why do revolving lanterns
Stop floating around you?
It can't be helped, I continue falling into the night

Thursday, August 16, 2018

Kataomoiwazurai (Unrequited Love Sickness) - CY8ER [English Translation]

As a lover of rain it was only natural for me to end up liking this song, and hence try to translate it. Both "suki" and "daisuki" can be confessions of love in Japanese, but "daisuki" is very strong. In that sense translating the "suki" parts as "like" might not be entirely accurate, but I couldn't figure out a better way to set them apart from the lines where "daisuki" is used.


カタオモイワズライ - Kataomoiwazurai (Unrequited Love Sickness)


My chest feels tight, looks like I'm falling in love
Drip drip, incessantly pouring rain
Startled, startled, feelings throb inside me

You advance today as well, while I stand still
Close, far away, even though it seems like the feelings reach why don't they arrive

Hey wait wait wait wait! unrequited love agony
I like like like like like, feelings of love agony
I like like like like you, I want to tell you!
A confession of liking liking liking liking liking
Do you like like like like me?
Just kidding, I can't say it, however!

I love you

I like like like like like, feelings of love agony
I like like like sukiyaki, roasted rice cake, because it's grilled
I really want to eat
Hey, I want to eat before it gets cold
My pulse and the overlapping sound of rain, drip drip, incessantly pouring rain
Startled, startled, feelings throb inside me

If the rain grows stronger I'll tell you
My cowardly self couldn't say it
I wish my emotions could reach you, I said

Hey wait wait wait wait! unrequited love agony
I like like like like like, feelings of love agony
I like like like like you, I want to tell you!
A confession of liking liking liking liking liking
I wonder if it will reach

Rainy season of love, rain clouds kick about in the city hills
Cumulonimbus clouds, a chance to elevate one's fate in love, Saikyou railway line
If I get used to thinking about tomorrow's weather it'll surely clear up
The weather forecast is a love indicator
My overflowing feelings are a hurricane

Hey humanity is still going nonstop, so let's practice how to have a good time once more
You're mixing spices in your dream, the extremely hot CY8ER Q
I say goodbye to the me of yesterday, the crybaby who fails to be upfront about her feelings every time
I want to meet you right now

Look, look, there's a rainbow, I' going to see you
I might take my time but I'll definitely, definitely be going

Hakuchu-Mu (Daydream) - CY8ER [English Translation]

Translation notes: This song contains several names of Asian food dishes, greetings and thank yous in several languages, as well as altered or nonsense words. Many of these are left in their original form.

はくちゅーむ - Hakuchu-Mu/Hakuchuumu (Daydream) 

Namaste! Hallo! Merhaba!
Annyeonghaseyo!
Xiexie! Thank you! Shukran! Thankchuu!

From Japan Harajuku Akiba, spin and turn
Nihao from Shanghai Hong Kong China! Drive through the world
Taiwan South Korea Singapore, turning and spinning
Hello from Jiufen Seoul Merlion! Totter through the world

Nice to meet you! Hello how are you totter turn turn
My dizzy head feels light in a stylish, magical dream

Birdie Tonkotsu Shio Ramen
Bibbi bibbin's Xiaolongbao
Sassa Samgyeopsal I want to eat
Huh, where am I?

Chu chu day dream chucchu chururira
chucchu chuuru daydream
chu chu day dream chucchu chururira
chuchuchuchuuuru daydream

Chu chu day dream chucchu chuuru daydream
chu chu day dream chuchuchu chuuru daydream

Half awake and half asleep, out-of body experience
The circle of death and rebirth, karma
Exploshuun from a nervous morning

Waiwai Wait a bit turn once turara
Waiwai Wait a bit go around returara
Waiwai Wait a bit turn once turara
One rotation around the circumference

From here on and to the end of the world, all the long way out
Asia pari pappa pararira turn turn school backpack
sock it
chuchu chuuru daydream
it's not stopping
chuchuchu churru daydream

Definitely again (definitely still more to come!)
chucchu chuuru daydream
chu chu day dream chucchu chururira
chuchuchu chuuru daydream
Chu chu day dream (yay!) chucchu chuuru daydream
chu chu day dream chuchuchu chuuru daydream