Yoshiwara Lament

Waggaki Band

A really unique art piece. Let’s discuss it!

Video! Let’s get it out of the way, so we can discuss the song.

The video is the live performance of the band. I would love if anyone who is reading, watches it.

The lyrics of the song does not match the video at all. The way everyone is happy and jolly, fooling around like normal people.

But the lyrics are pretty rough. Even this is sung in a different way.

Japanese artists know how to bring all emotions out properly.

It was written by the bass guitarist Asa. A male bass guitarist with a manly voice, but he dresses up like a girl. The song represents his persona pretty well.

Towards the song!

On the streets of Edo, the deep curtain of night falls down again.

Yoshiwara was the red light district of Edo Japan. A place where the high class courtesans named Oiran stayed.

This might be the story of one of them.

Over time, all I can see are blue flowers. Even so, I don't sell for cheap.

Blue flowers probably represent the ‘new’ prostitutes.

She doesn’t sell cheap even after having so much competition out there.

Well, kinda sad. It gets sadder ahead.

In truth, I only wanted to bloom for one person ever—

but fate stole my freedom, and the wheels merely kept turning.

All the make up, confidence, personality; a facade.

Too late to remember or understand your own desires. A never ending regret, that will only end with your life.

How worse fate must have been for someone to end up there? But is it really that bad?

I am just trying to look at things through different glasses.

Was it an instant regret? sadness? or a regret that built up with time?

A curiosity that turned into a regret?

Personally, I think it was just unfortunate fate. A patriarchal era that forced men into wars, and women into prostitution.

NOTE to you:

I am never afraid to challenge my thoughts like you. You are way too scared to think otherwise. I wonder why is it so. Am I unfortunate for being like this, or are you?

Must be me.

To be a Zebra among wildebeasts lol. I love that analogy at times.

First a passion laced with lies, and then you will purchase me, won't you?

Amongst the bloom of umbrellas, I turn wet. I am its rain.

“Today in Yoshiwara, it rains”

A passion laced with lies. Must be a hint towards how Oiran try to act all passionate and everything to attract their customers.

Is this hard to read?

It’s hard to write. Words like ‘prostitute’, ‘customers’, and stuff is hard to write.

I feel like dehumanizing them.

Moving on. I couldn’t understand the second line properly. If you could, let me know.

NOTE to you:

I wonder why I didn’t brainstorm for the second line. Maybe because I got disturbed by my own writing.

I am weird for real lol!

In truth, I forever lost my destination long ago—

but the scenery from this cage alone could always soothe me, without fail.

Accepting it as your world.

There was a time when she was a blue flower.

Once bloomed, she turned even more beautiful.

As beautiful as one could imagine.

As the petals withered from her sorrow,

she realized there was no hope.

What will she do once she gets old? Any sort of facade won’t be able to cover her maturity. What would she do?

She will welcome other blue flowers.

To think how that rainy scenery soothes her, it’s clearly a hopeless attempt at experiencing satisfaction.

Wishing. Stain after stain, dully—they pierce into my heart.

A flower heavy with a look of sorrow. Wishing. No more. "Welcome, do come in."

Self explanatory, and beautifully written.

Asa must have known a lot to understand a woman’s sorrow. Specially a prostitute’s sorrow.

Waggaki band is a folk rock band. One of the finest out there. I am not talking about musicality much because I love the lyrics more than anything in this one.

Next, I might write about Episode 0.

Take care homies!

NOTE:

I feel like a prostitute for some reason. Damn, just had to let that thought out. Not a cheap one obviously.

But I am sure, I am less of a prostitute than you.

A prostitute that sold their nature, thoughts, and art for people’s comfort.

Obviously I mean that metaphorically. This ain’t a diddy party.