Pictures in Decay

Requested by Kappashiro, another one of my favourites from the album, and a bit more liberal of a translation than usual at some points. Linjin had a lot of fun with しまう and trailing しまえばs here. The lines in (brackets) were transcribed by ear, and are also the lines heard in the background.

Darn, I’m tired. Work hard to keep your sleep schedule in check, or you’ll regret it.

Unnecessary notes: Was kind of unsure whether I should take the first stanza as one big sentence or multiple, but I figured it would probably sound strange to be telling yourself “don’t wake up like this” after I thought about it. The interpretation of telling someone else not to wake up is out the window too, with the final stanza, as the たい form can only be used when referring to oneself or asking someone else (if they want to ____). Would have to be たがる if it was someone else. There’s some Amen logic for you out there, if you’ve ever wondered about my thought process through things like this, though it’s not much.

★ Title: PICTURES IN DECAY
☆ Album: PHOTOGRAPHIC DESTINATIONS
★ Album Artist: ZYTOKINE
☆ Vocals: aki
★ Arrangement and lyrics: Linjin (隣人)
☆ Original Title: Sleepless Night of the Eastern Country (東の国の眠れない夜)
★ Website: http://zytokine-web.com/


このまま 目覚めないで このまま 溶けてしまって
消えてしまえば 色褪せてしまえば

kono mama mezamenai de kono mama tokete shimatte
kiete shimaeba iro asete shimaeba

If only I were to disappear, to lose all colour
melting away as is, without waking up like this

このまま 起こさないで このまま 沈めておいて
揺れてしまえば 思い出してしまうから

kono mama okosanai de kono mama shizumete oite
yurete shimaeba omoi dashite shimau kara

Keep me submerged as is, without waking me up like this
If I stir I’ll end up remembering after all

そっと触れて 崩れ落ちて
あの日の影 あの日の色

sotto furete kuzure ochite
ano hi no kage ano hi no iro

Touching gently, toppling down
The shadows of that day, the colours of that day

ひとつふたつ 思い出して
優しい夢を 優しい嘘を

hitotsu futatsu omoi dashite
yasashii yume o yasashii uso o

One, two, I remember
The sweet dream, the sweet lie

誰かのために 灯されていた 今もあるかな ドアの向こう側
戻りたいけど 戻りたくない 美しい夢

dare ka no tame ni tomosareteita ima mo aru kana doa no mukou gawa
modoritai kedo modoritakunai utsukushii yume

Lit up for somebody’s sake, I wonder if they’re there, even now, beyond the door
I want to go back, but I don’t want to return, to that beautiful dream

愛してしまうから 愛してしまったから
傷つけたいけど 色褪せてしまえば
懐かしさに沈み やがて空へと昇り
光る星へと 心は凪いでいく
さあ行こう 手を 繋いで 長い旅路 手を 繋いで

aishite shimau kara aishite shimatta kara
kizutsuketai kedo iro asete shimaeba
natsukashisa ni shizumi yagate sora e to nobori
hikaru hoshi e to kokoro wa naide yuku
saa ikou te o tsunaide nagai tabiji te o tsunaide

Because I’ll fall in love, because I fell in love
I want to get back at you, though if it means losing colour
sinking into nostalgia, before long rising up to the sky
towards the shining stars, my heart will calm down
Come now, let’s go, take hold of my hand, it’s a long journey, take my hand

(希望笑い合ってた夢)
(奇跡信じ合ってた夢)
(願いを許し合ってた夢)
(奇跡通じ合ってた夢)

(kibou warai atteta yume)
(kiseki shinjiatteta yume)
(negai o yurushiatteta yume)
(kiseki tsuujiatteta yume)

(A dream where we smiled about our hopes)
(A dream where we believed in miracles)
(A dream where we allowed our wishes)
(A dream where we understood miracles)

そっと揺れて 風に乗って
誰かの影 誰かの声

sotto yurete kaze ni notte
dare ka no kage dare ka no koe

Gently swaying, riding the wind
Someone’s shadow, someone’s voice

ひとつふたつ 思い出して
哀しい夢を 哀しい嘘を

hitotsu futatsu omoi dashite
kanashii yume o kanashii uso o

One, two, I remember
The sad dream, the sad lie

誰かのために 許されていた 景色に映る 愛の向こう側
汚したいけど 汚したくない 美しい夢

dare ka no tame ni yurusareteita keshiki ni utsuru ai no mukou gawa
yogoshitai kedo yogoshitakunai utsukushii yume

Forgiven for somebody’s sake, reflected in the scenery, beyond the love
I want to dirty it, but I don’t want to spoil it, the beautiful dream

壊してしまうから 壊してしまったなら
夢見ていたいけど 目覚めてしまうから
独り 歩き初めて 強くなれた気がして
だけど 遠くて 何も 愛せないままで

kowashite shimau kara kowashite shimatta nara
yume miteitai kedo mezamete shimau kara
hitori aruki hajimete tsuyoku nareta ki ga shite
dakedo tookute nani mo aisenai mama de

Because I’ll accidentally ruin it, if I accidentally ruined it
I want to keep dreaming, but I’ll end up waking up after all
It’s my first time walking alone, I felt like I had become stronger
however I’m still far, as I can’t love anything

(希望笑い合ってた夢)
(奇跡信じ合ってた夢)
(願いを許し合ってた夢)
(奇跡通じ合ってた夢)

(kibou warai atteta yume)
(kiseki shinji atteta yume)
(negai o yurushi atteta yume)
(kiseki tsuuji atteta yume)

(A dream where we smiled about our hopes)
(A dream where we believed in miracles)
(A dream where we allowed our wishes)
(A dream where we understood miracles)

このまま 目覚めないで このまま 溶けてしまって
消えてしまいたい 色褪せてしまいたい
このまま 起こさないで このまま 沈めておいて
遠い旅路で 思い出してしまうなら
そうさ 手を 繋いで 長い旅路 手を 繋いで

kono mama mezamenai de kono mama tokete shimatte
kiete shimaitai iro asete shimaitai
kono mama okosanai de kono mama shizumete oite
tooi tabiji de omoi dashite shimau nara
sou sa te o tsunaide nagai tabiji te o tsunaide

Without waking up like this, melting away as is
I want to completely disappear, I want to lose all colour
Keep me submerged as is, without waking me up like this
if I’ll end up recalling on this far journey
That’s right, take hold of my hand, it’s a long journey, take my hand

(希望笑い合ってた夢)
(奇跡信じ合ってた夢)
(願いを許し合ってた夢)
(奇跡通じ合ってた夢)

(kibou warai atteta yume)
(kiseki shinji atteta yume)
(negai o yurushi atteta yume)
(kiseki tsuuji atteta yume)

(A dream where we smiled about our hopes)
(A dream where we believed in miracles)
(A dream where we allowed our wishes)
(A dream where we understood miracles)

妖々 「全て桜の下に」 | Bewitching Spectre 「Everything Under the Sakura」

Requested by Amilka, another one of my favourites of the album. Seen in the booklet and subtlely shown in the lyrics, this is coming from Youmu’s point of view, taking place just before the events of Perfect Cherry Blossom. At one point, Yuyuko was my favourite character. Not so much anymore, but Ultimate Truth is still a great song. Here, we see a lot of RD’s unique punctuation style in action.

★ Title: 妖々 「全て桜の下に」
☆ Album: 奉 -Sasage-
★ Album Artist: 凋叶棕
☆ Vocals: ΦKushiΦ (Φ串Φ)
★ Lyrics and arrangment: RD-Sounds
☆ Original Titles: Ultimate Truth (アルティメッとトゥルース)
・Border of Life (ボーダーオブライフ)
★ Website: http://www.rd-sounds.com/


遠い昔、問うたことがある。

tooi mukashi, touta koto ga aru.

As far as I recall, I have questioned something.

”桜の下に何が“

“sakura no shita ni nani ga”

“What’s under the sakura tree?”

それに返る、答えは終ぞなく。

sore ni kaeru, kotae wa tsuizo naku.

Never yet has an answer come to me.

”おそろしいもの“とだけ。

“osoroshii mono” to dake.

Only “Something terrifying.”

桜が咲くことがあるならば。
それが目覚めるならば。

sakura ga saku koto ga aru naraba.
sore ga mezameru naraba.

If the sakura would bloom.
If it would awaken.

おそろしいものが何であるか。
知ることが叶うのか。

osoroshii mono ga nan de aru ka.
shiru koto ga kanau no ka.

What would the terrifying thing be?
Will my wish to know come true?

不甲斐無さと、焦燥と。己の未熟を苛んで。
傷つく体を抱えて、走る。

fugainasa to, shousou to. onore no mijuku o sainande.
kizutsuku karada o kakaete, hashiru.

Gnawing at my cowardice, and impatience. And my own inexperience.
Bearing my hurting body, I run.

ただ只管に、主の下へ。何が出来るでもないのに。
胸騒ぎの静まらぬままに。

tada hitasura ni, aruji no moto e. nani ga dekiru de mo nai noni.
munasawagi no shizumaranu mama ni.

With one goal in mind, I’m off to the mistress. It’s not about what can be done though.
While the racket in my chest won’t calm down.

桜の下に。眠る何かに。
主は何を思うのだろう。

sakura no shita ni. nemuru nani ka ni.
aruji wa nani o omou no darou.

Underneath the sakura. Whatever sleeps there.
I wonder what the mistress thinks of it.

あれの下には。恐ろしい何かが。
眠っていると聞いたのに…

are no shita ni wa. osoroshii nani ka ga.
nemutteiru to kiita noni…

Though I’ve heard. That something terrifying.
Is sleeping under there…

かつて教わった、旧い記憶が。桜に重ね見せた幻は。
翅を広げた二匹の蝶となる。
何よりも幽雅に。

katsute osowatta, furui kioku ga. sakura ni kasane miseta maboroshi wa.
hane o hirogeta nihiki no chou to naru.
nani yori mo yuuga ni.

Memories of old, those that I once was taught. The visions they repeatedly showed to the sakura.
Become two butterflies with their wings spread.
More noble than anything.

只、立ち尽くすのみ。

tada, tachi tsukusu nomi.

I merely stand still.

この光景はきっと。

kono koukei wa kitto.

I’m sure this sight.

生きては見えず。死しても見れず。

ikite wa miezu. shishitemo mirezu.

Can’t be seen alive. And neither can you see it dead.

放たれる光の彩。
広がる。集まる。四散する。
苛烈に舞い続ける紅白の蝶。

hanatareru hikari no iro.
hirogaru. atsumaru. shisan suru.
karetsu ni mai tsudzukeru kouhaku no chou.

The colours of the light being emitted.
Spread. Gather. Scatter.
As red and white butterflies that continue to violently dance.

追いすがっては、爆ぜる光に。
ひらりひらりと遊ぶように。
優雅に舞うは桜色の蝶。

oi sugatte wa, hazeru hikari ni.
hirari hirari to asobu you ni.
yuuga ni mau wa sakura iro no chou.

Upon reaching you, in the bursting light.
Nimbly nimbly, as if playing.
Dancing elegantly are sakura coloured butterflies.

桜の下に。眠る何かが。
夢見る光景を重ね見る。

sakura no shita ni. nemuru nani ka ga.
yume miru keshiki o kasane miru.

The thing that sleeps. Underneath the sakura.
Repeatedly I see the scene that it dreams of.

生きるも死ぬも
その境目までもがここでは酷く曖昧で。

ikiru mo shinu mo
sono sakaime made mo ga koko de wa hidoku aimai de.

The entire way
to the border of life and death is awfully vague here.

二匹、舞い戻る。桜の下へ。
最後のときとばかり相向かう。

futari, mai modoru. sakura no shita e.
saigo no toki to bakari ai mukau.

The two dance back. Underneath the sakura.
Only to face each other in the end.

咲かぬ桜を、今、咲かさんとして。
再び舞い上がる。

sakanu sakura o, ima, sakasan toshite.
futatabi mai agaru

Just as she’s about to make the unflowering sakura now bloom.
They will soar again.

芽吹く花。
吹雪く花片。
何か見てはいけないものをみて。

mebuku hana.
fubuku hanabira.
nani ka mite wa ikenai mono o mite.

Budding flowers.
Storming flower petals.
I saw something that I shouldn’t have.

どの桜より。
それは、美しくて。そして、怖ろしくて。

dono sakura yori.
sore wa, utsukushikute. soshite, osoroshikute.

More than any sakura.
It’s beautiful. As well, frightening.

桜の下、眠る貴女が。
”誰“なのか今―それがおぼろげに。

sakura no shita, nemuru anata ga.
“dare” nano ka ima― sore ga oboroge ni.

You, who sleeps under the sakura.
“Who” you are― that is now unclear.

おそろしいものは、きっと、はじめから。私の傍にいた。

osoroshii mono wa, kitto, hajime kara. watashi no soba ni ita.

I’m sure, the terrifying thing, from the beginning. Was by my side all along.

只、立ち尽くすのみ。

tada, tachi tsukusu nomi.

I merely stand still.

この光景はきっと。

kono koukei wa kitto.

I’m sure this sight.

生きては見えず。死しても見れず。

ikite wa miezu. shishitemo mirezu.

Can’t be seen alive. And neither can you see it dead.

Seeds of Life

First of all, I have to say that the lyricist, Blue E, has some nice English. That final stanza is just great. Secondly, I love slow songs like this, though Yurika generally does more hardcore ones.

Notes: The sephirot is this thing, basically the Jewish tree of life, if I understand correctly.

★ Title: Seeds of Life
☆ Album: 怪 -KAI-
★ Album Artist: SOUND HOLIC
☆ Vocals: YURiCa (ユリカ)
★ Lyrics: Blue E
☆ Arrangement: 8STYLE
★ Original Title: Plastic Mind (プラスチックマインド)
・Alice in Wonderland (不思議の国のアリス)
☆Website: http://www.sound-holic.com/


Dreamin’ 微睡むように
Breathin’ 囁くように
星の行方が証すのは
愛の理の儚さ

Dreamin’ madoromu you ni
Breathin’ sasayaku you ni
hoshi no yukue ga akasu no wa
ai no kotowari no hakanasa

Dreaming, as if in a slumber
Breathin’, as if whispering
It is the transience of logic in love
that the whereabouts of the stars prove

遥か古の不可思議な調べを
月明かりの下で呟くだけ

haruka ishinie no fukashigi na shirabe o
tsuki akari no shita de tsubuyaku dake

I merely mutter a mystical song
from days long past under the moonlight

I’ll give my heart to my belief 灯すは気高き焔
幾つもの幻が浮かび消えて逝く
誰も気づけない手掛かりを手繰り寄せて
描き出すセフィロト 罪深き性 seeds of life

I’ll give my heart to my belief tomosu wa kedakaki honoo
ikutsu mo no maboroshi ga ukabi kiete yuku
dare mo kidzukenai tegakari o taguri yosete
egaki dasu sefiroto tsumibukaki saga seeds of life

I’ll give my heart to my belief, I’ll light flames of nobility
Countless numbers of apparitions float up, disappear, and die
I reel in a clue that nobody is able to notice
The sephirot that draws forth, grave sin in nature, seeds of life

風が景色を揺らして 永遠の誓いを霞ませた

kaze ga keshiki o yurashite towa no chikai o kasumaseta

The wind rocked the scenery, caused this eternal vow to grow hazy

禁じられた術 偽りの生命を
人形に宿して操るだけ

kinjirareta sube itsuwari no inochi o
hitogata ni yadoshite ayatsuru dake

It’s a forbidden art, to merely puppeteer a human shaped doll
with an artificial life conceived within

I miss my love for my soul 閉ざした記憶の欠片
彷徨える魂が拉がれて歪む
誰も応えず 冷たい笑みを浮かべて
創り出すレプリカ 愛すべき業 art of words

I miss my love for my soul tozashita kioku no kakera
samayoeru tamashii ga hishigarete yugamu
dare mo kotaezu tsumetai emi o ukabete
tsukuri dasu repurika aisu beki waza art of words

I miss my love for my soul, the locked fragments of my memory
My wandering soul, being crushed, twists
Nobody responding, wearing a cold smile
A replica that creates forth, a lovable work, art of words

ああ 心が孤独な旅路の果てに
辿り着く物語 抱き締めて

aa kokoro ga kodoku na tabiji no hate ni
tadori tsuku monogatari daki shimete

Ah, embracing the story of my heart struggling
on to the ends of a solitary journey,

I’ll give my heart to my belief 灯すは気高き焔
幾つもの幻が浮かび消えて逝く
誰も気づけない手掛かりを手繰り寄せて
描き出すセフィロト 罪深き性 seeds of life

I’ll give my heart to my belief tomosu wa kedakaki honoo
ikutsu mo no maboroshi ga ukabi kiete yuku
dare mo kidzukenai tegakari o taguri yosete
egaki dasu sefiroto tsumibukaki saga seeds of life

I’ll give my heart to my belief, I’ll light flames of nobility
Countless numbers of apparitions float up, disappear, and die
I reel in a clue that nobody is able to notice
The sephirot that draws forth, grave sin nature, seeds of life

An imitation life that is without a light
Nobody could save my pain, so I’ve given up
I am a lonely mage who is just in a maze
Nothing heals or cures my forever loneliness

Blow Us Apart

I love these kinds of Nana Takahashi songs, the ones like “Dead Souls,” and “Raising False Hopes.” I like to call Haruka the master of depressing lyrics, but Linjin can do a pretty amazing job too. Honestly, I feel a small lack of satisfaction with this translation, not because I think it’s inaccurate or a poor job or anything, but I just don’t think it’s possible to capture the beauty of the masterly crafted original Japanese here. The same can be said of a lot of RD songs as well, of course.

★ Title: BLOW US APART
☆ Album: PHOTOGRAPHIC DESTINATIONS
★ Album Artist: ZYTOKINE
☆ Vocals: cold kiss (Nana Takahashi (高橋 菜々))
★ Arrangement and lyrics: Linjin (隣人)
☆ Original Title: Wind God Girl (風神少女)
★ Website: http://zytokine-web.com/


哀しさを抱えて  寂しさに揺られて
空しさに抱かれて 宙に舞う 金色
矛盾だらけ 夢の果て 憎んではまた信じて

kanashisa o kakaete samishisa ni yurarete
munashisa ni dakarete chuu ni mau kin iro
mujun darake yume no hate nikunde wa mata shinjite

Bearing my sorrow, being shaken by the loneliness
being embraced by the emptiness, colours of gold dance in the air
At the end of a dream riddled with paradox, hatred breeds faith again

触れて信じて壊して許して歪んで夢見て信じて忘れて

furete shinjite kowashite yurushite yugande yume mite shinjite wasurete

Touch, believe, destroy, forgive, twist, dream, believe, forget

忘れたはずの 崩れた Melody
ああ バラバラ 粉々 砕け散った頃に またきっと思い出す

wasureta hazu no kuzureta Melody
aa barabara konagona kudake chitta koro ni mata kitto omoi dasu

I thought I left it in the dust, the crumbled down Melody
Ah, piece by piece, bit by bit, when it’s all shattered up, I’m sure I’ll remember it again

独り夢見ている  言の葉に舞う夢
正しさは ただ無常 胸を刺す 銀色
矛盾だらけ 成れの果て 信じてはまた憎んで

hitori yume miteiru koto no ha ni mau yume
tadashisa wa tada mujou mune o sasu gin iro
mujun darake nare no hate shinjite wa mata nikunde

All alone I have a dream, a dream dancing in words
Righteousness is plain ever-changing, colours of silver pierce my heart
A shell of my former self riddled with paradox, faith breeds hatred again

触れて信じて壊して許して歪んで夢見て信じて忘れて

furete shinjite kowashite yurushite yugande yume mite shinjite wasurete

Touch, believe, destroy, forgive, twist, dream, believe, forget

忘れたはずの 崩れた涙
ああ キラキラ ゆらゆら 砕け散った頃に またきっと思い出す

wasureta hazu no kuzureta namida
aa kirakira yurayura kudake chitta koro ni mata kitto omoi dasu

I thought I left them in the dust, all the tears that crumbled down
Ah, twinkle twinkle, shaking shaking, when it’s all shattered up, I’m sure I’ll remember again

哀しさを砕いて 吹く風に砕いて

kanashisa o kudaite fuku kaze ni kudaite

Crushing the sorrow, crushing it in the blowing wind

忘れたはずの 崩れた Melody
ああ バラバラ 粉々 砕け散った頃に またきっと思い出す

wasureta hazu no kuzureta Melody
aa barabara konagona kudake chitta koro ni mata kitto omoi dasu

I thought I left it in the dust, the collapsed Melody
Ah, piece by piece, bit by bit, when it’s all shattered up, I’m sure I’ll remember it again

死に際に 空を飛んだ鳥の夢
いまだ掴めないままで
独り 鳴いていた鳥が 落ちて 朽ちていく

shinigiwa ni sora o tonda tori no yume
imada tsukamenai mama de
hitori naiteita tori ga ochite kuchite iku

As of yet I remain unable to grasp the dream of a bird
A bird that flew through the sky on the brink of death
Resembling the figure of the falling and perishing bird

姿に似ていて

sugata ni niteite

that had been singing alone

美しくて

utsukushikute

it’s beautiful