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Masha's live video release today was a performance of Melody, a song from early in his career. I've always been a bit meh about it, but this performance gave me a new appreciation.
I've never known what the object is that he's holding in the video for the studio version.
Masha's first single from 超新星 is coming out on 10 August! It's 邂逅 (Kaikō / Encounter), which impressed me so much in concert. I can't wait!
福山雅治オフィシャルサイト – 最新情報、ディスコグラフィー、バイオグラフィー、オフィシャルオンラインストア「福山屋」、オフィシャルファンクラブBROS.入会案内、BROS.会員限定サイトへのログイン・会員限定コンテンツの配信など。
RIP Victor Willis. Here's Masha performing a Japanese-language version of YMCA at an AIDS benefit concert in 1994.
Today my 365 Days of Jpop project led me to Miwa Akihiro, a Nagasaki-born singer, actor and drag queen who died just over a week ago at the age of 91. I'm sorry not to have known about him before, but glad to have learned now.
This is one of his* most famous songs - apparently he didn't wear drag when performing it.
When I heard he was from Nagasaki, you know I had to check for any connection to Fukuyama Masaharu, and guess what? They were friends. On his radio show, Masha once said he would often text or email Miwa and Miwa would phone him in reply - one of the few people to call him directly.
My condolences to Masha on the loss of his friend. I'm glad that everything I'm learning about him suggests he's comfortable with LGBTQ people.
*Personal pronouns aren't nearly as frequently used in Japanese as they are in English, so I can't be sure what Miwa would have preferred, but it seems like he generally presented as male when not performing.
A few thoughts on Masha's livestreamed concert today
- This was the first time I'd properly heard 邂合活. A very touching song with real earworm potential. I'm really looking forward to all the songs on the new album.
- In particular, I NEED a proper recording of 未来絵, because it gets stuck in my head every time I hear it & then I can't listen to it again.
- It was great to hear several songs I think of as deep cuts (maybe they're not in Japan): 無敵のキミ, Escape, Ultramarine.
- I like 万有引力 more with every performance I hear.
- Jupiter works surprisingly well as a solo performance. I still prefer the duet, but I GUESS Masha can't take Koshi with him everywhere.
- 蜜柑色の夏休み is one of my favourites - I sort of wish we'd heard the whole thing, but having one slow chorus from it lead into Kusunoki was very moving.
- Masha gave 100% for the whole three-hour concert. At times his voice gave away that this was the last show of a long tour, but his energy never flagged. I hope he has a well-earned rest now.
I'm so grateful to Masha for livestreaming this concert to international fanclub members. Although I live far away from most of his fans, I really felt like I was taking part alongside those in the venue.
If you'd like to see the concert, there's still time - just join the fanclub to buy access to the recording. It's available till 1 July. I'm sure I'll watch it again and probably have some additional thoughts.
福山雅治オフィシャルサイト – 最新情報、ディスコグラフィー、バイオグラフィー、オフィシャルオンラインストア「福山屋」、オフィシャルファンクラブBROS.入会案内、BROS.会員限定サイトへのログイン・会員限定コンテンツの配信など。
Masha's video premiere today was this 2000 hometown performance of All My Loving. I like the song anyway, but the energy here is something else. Much love to the crew member who has to run after him.
My copy of Higashino Keigo's new novel (newly translated in English, that is) arrived today. This isn't about the same camphor tree as Masha's song, but I like to think the two friends had a chat about it. I could read the Japanese title by myself.
Masha just announced he'll be livestreaming his concert this Sunday (28 June 2026) exclusively for fanclub members. If you're an overseas fan and you haven't joined BROS+, there's still time! I've watched a few of these livestreams and they're very high quality, & you can watch it again for a few days afterward if the timing doesn't work for you.
福山雅治オフィシャルサイト – 最新情報、ディスコグラフィー、バイオグラフィー、オフィシャルオンラインストア「福山屋」、オフィシャルファンクラブBROS.入会案内、BROS.会員限定サイトへのログイン・会員限定コンテンツの配信など。
