New Shiina Ringo album this November!

So the rumours were true: Ringo is indeed releasing a new album this year (and new single), right before the announced Arena Tour 2014! The Rocking'On website released all the juicy info we need, so here I'll provide a romaji conversion of the tracklist and all the important dates.

The new album is called 日出処 (Hiizuru Tokoro), which means something like "The Place of the Rising Sun". Among old songs, the 13 tracks of this album include 6 new songs and a new arrangement for "Kodoku no Akatsuki" (perhaps similar to the one we heard here). Oh, and a studio version of "Ima". I find it a bit weird she would include such an old song as "Ariamaru Tomi", which was single-exclusive until now, but Ringo has been known to bring old material back from the dead (Sanmon Gossip I'm looking at you).

The contents of the limited editions DVD/Blu-Ray are not very exciting and actually make us contemplate the hypothesis that we'll stop getting new Seiteki Healing releases... This probably has to do with the change of labels. Sad.

Another interesting fact is the 6th track, ちちんぷいぷい (Chichin Puipui), which is both the name of a popular MBS TV daily gossip show and also an expression said to children to heal wounds (kind of like magic words). One has to wonder which of these meanings does the song actually intend to use.

Needless to say, the tracklist presents the usual Ringo symmetry, although only concerning the number of characters and not kanji/kana combinations like other albums. It's no surprise that "Ima", the only single character song title, is the central track.

Title: 日出処 (Hiizuru Tokoro)
Release Date: 2014.11.05
Limited Edition A (CD + Blu-ray) TYCT-69069 ￥4,968
Limited Edition B (CD + DVD) TYCT-69070 ￥4,212
Normal Edition (CD) TYCT-60053 ￥3,240

01 - 静かなる逆襲 (Shizuka naru Gyakushuu)
02 - 自由へ道連れ (Jiyuu e Michizure)
03 - 走れゎナンバー (Hashire wa Number)
04 - 赤道を越えたら (Sekidou wo Koetara)
05 - ＪＬ００５便で (JL005 Bin de)
06 - ちちんぷいぷい (Chichin Puipui)
07 - 今 (Ima)
08 - いろはにほへと (Iro wa Nioedo)
09 - ありきたりな女 (Arikitarina Onna)
10 - カーネーション (Carnation)
11 - 孤独のあかつき（信猫版）(Kodoku no Akatsuki) (Shinnekohan)
12 - ＮＩＰＰＯＮ
13 - ありあまる富 (Ariamaru Tomi)

Contents of DVD/BR: 6 PVs (Ariamaru Tomi, Carnation, Jiyuu e Michizure, Iro wa Nioedo, NIPPON, Arikitarina Onna)

One month before the actual album, we'll get the chance to listen to one of the new songs, ありきたりな女 (Arikitarina Onna). It will be released exclusively as a digital single and will have a PV. The release date on iTunes and Rekochoku is October 1st.

Title: ありきたりな女 (Arikitarina Onna)
Release Date: 2014.10.01 (digital release only)
01 - ありきたりな女 (Arikitarina Onna)

This year sure is turning out to be one of the most exciting for Ringo fans!

Shiina Ringo Arena Tour 2014 announced!

So the rumours were true after all, Ringo will indeed pursue a big arena tour this year. Although it's untitled so far, priority access to tickets is included with every purchase of Gyakuyunyuu and all 5 dates have been fixed.

Shiina Ringo Arena Tour 2014

November 29, Saturday - Saitama Super Arena

November 30, Sunday - Saitama Super Arena

December 9, Tuesday - Osaka Jou Hall

December 10, Wednesday - Osaka Jou Hall

December 21, Sunday - Marine Messe Fukuoka

More details about this new tour will be posted in Kronekodow next month.

Sheena Ringo "Chottoshita Reko Hatsu 2014" - Setlists

Here are the set-lists for each day of the new (and short) Shiina Ringo tour: ちょっとしたレコ発2014 (Chottoshita Reko Hatsu 2014). The first two days happen in Yokohama and the last two in Osaka. Please refer to this post for more information.

It should be known that there are rumours about a new big arena tour this year, in November and December. I'll try to report about it once it gets clearer...

Ringo will provide the NHK theme song for Soccer World Cup 2014

Big news everyone! Even tho we're still anxiously waiting for the release of Reimport, Shiina Ringo thinks ain't nobody got time for that! After showing her passion for sports, our diva queen was offered the task to create NHK's theme song for the Soccer World Cup 2014, that will happen in Brazil. What this means is that every program related to that matter will feature Ringo's song, throughout the NHK TV channels. Much better than hearing the vuvuzelas non-stop, don't you think?

Ringo will surely make an impact in

the World Cup results, looking as gorgeous as this.

So far, the title of the song is still a mystery and it's also unknown if there will be a retail release or if it's digital-only (some rumours point out for a retail release actually...). But what we do know is that the first preview of the song will appear in a May 12 segment of a program called "生中継　ワールドカップ日本代表　発表", which will cover the different types of promotion created to support the japanese soccer team in the World Cup. After that and througout June, Ringo's music will be part of the daily NHK broadcasts.

Source: Oricon

UPDATE: The single will indeed have a physical release, scheduled for June 11!

Another Ringo penned song in Sayuri Ishikawa's new album!

The new Sayuri Ishikawa album will be released later this month (April 23) and news about its full tracklist have surfaced. There will be 3 Ringo penned songs in it!

Besides 暗夜の心中立て and 名うての泥棒猫, a third song is going to be part of the album. 最果てが見たい will have lyrics and music by Shiina Ringo herself, while the arrangement will be done by Hayashi Masaki, the pianist from the Toutaikai shows.

As a side note, the artwork found in the album's cover and booklet is by Yoshitaka Amano (known for his Final Fantasy illustrations).

Title: X -Cross II-

Release Date: 23/04/2014

01 - 暗夜の心中立て X 椎名林檎 (Anya no Shinjuudate)
Lyrics/Music: Shiina Ringo; Arranger: Saitou Neko
02 - 永久にFOREVER X 御徒町凧・森山直太朗
Lyrics: Okachimachi Kaito; Music: Moriyama Naotaro; Arranger: Kurata Nobuo
03 - 雨のブルース X 奥田民生
Lyrics/Music: Okuda Tamio; Arranger: Mori Toshiyuki
04 - Ra.n.se X TAKURO(GLAY)・Marty Friedman
Lyrics/Music: TAKURO; Arranger: Marty Friedman
05 - 空を見上げる時 X 御徒町凧・森山直太朗
Lyrics:Okachimachi Kaito; Music: Moriyama Naotaro; Arranger: Kurata Nobuo
06 - 千年逃亡 X TAKURO(GLAY)・Marty Friedman
Lyrics/Music: TAKURO; Arranger: Marty Friedman
07 - こころの色 X 樋口了一
Lyrics/Music: Higuchi Ryouichi; Arranger: Mori Toshiyuki
08 - 名うての泥棒猫 X 椎名林檎 (Naute no Dorobou Neko)
Lyrics/Music: Shiina Ringo; Arranger: Saitou Neko
09 - 最果てが見たい X 椎名林檎 (Saihate ga Mitai)
Lyrics/Music: Shiina Ringo; Arranger: Hayashi Masaki

Let's hope all three songs are performed in this week episode of NHK SONGS, April 12.

EDIT: Previews for every song are available on iTunes Japan already. Thanks for the heads-up deadgrandma!

Gyakuyunyuu will be broadcast by WOWOW

Satelitte channel WOWOW announced today two new programs for the May schedule, part of the Gyakuyunyuu promotion. One is a special program concerning the self-covers album (free broadcast!) and the other is none other than a direct-feed broadcast of the May 27th show in Yokohama (payed broadcast!).

The news by Rockin'On don't mention if the whole concert will be broadcast or just a portion, so I'm going to take a guess and say all of it.

Here are the full details.

May 25th

Timeslot: 4:45 PM

Title: 生中継直前！椎名林檎 WOWOW特別番組 ～セルフカバーアルバム「逆輸入」の件～

English: Just before the live broadcast! A Shiina Ringo special program by WOWOW concerning the ~Self-Covers Album Reimport~

May 27th

Timeslot: 7:00 PM

Title: 生中継！ 椎名林檎 思い付きライブ ちょっとしたレコ発2014 ～横浜港へ逆輸入～

Please be excited!

Update: WOWOW's special page for these programs was created. See it here.

New Tour and New Album for Shiina Ringo!

Disclaimer: It's not exactly a new SOLO album, it's a self-covers album!

Ok, now that your hearts are less excited because of the post title, let's see what Ringohan brought us today. Very soon, Shiina Ringo will be live touring again and will release her first (and much begged) self-covers album. Themed around importation and exportation, these activities will mainly concern the songs she wrote for other artists throughout her career. Different producers will provide unique arrangements to the songs, in what will certainly be similar to a "Utaite Miyori" 2 experience (but with more than 2 producers this time). Who else was expecting a self-covers album?

If you track "KKTU 7327385" in the K-Line website,

you can see the recent life of that red cargo next to Ringo.

Arrived January 27, left March 7.

Without further ado, here's all the information!

 
Title: 逆輸入 ～港湾局～ (Gyakuyunyuu ~Kouwankyoku~)
Translation: Reimport ~Port and Harbor Authority~
Release Date: 27/05/2014
Limited Edition: TYCT-69017 (Y3.780)
Cardboard case with hardcover booklet (like Ukina/Mitsugetsushou) + B2 Poster
Regular Edition: TYCT-60035 (Y3.240)

01 - プライベイト(Private)
By: Hirosue Ryoko (07/10/1998)
Arranged by: Ken'ichi Maeyamada (Momoiro Clover, AKB48, SMAP, etc)
02 - カプチーノ(Cappucino)
By: Tomosaka Rie (27/01/1999)
Arranged by: Takeshi Kobayashi (Lily Chou-Chou, etc)
03 - 雨傘 (Amagasa)
By: TOKIO (03/09/2008)
Arranged by: Takamune Negishi (Cocco, Quruli, Mika Nakashima, etc)
04 - 渦中の男 (Kachuu no Otoko)
By: TOKIO (03/09/2008)
Arranged by: Takeshi Ueda (The Mad Capsule Markets, etc)
05 - 日和姫 (Hiyori Hime)
By: PUFFY (25/02/2009)
Arranged by: Tooru Hidaka (Beat Crusaders, etc)
06 - 主演の女 (Shuen no Onna)
By: PUFFY (17/06/2009)
Arranged by: Yoshihide Ootomo (Ground Zero, Kahimi Karie, etc)
07 - 決定的三分間 (Keitteiteki Sanpunkan)
By: Chiaki Kuriyama (02/03/2011)
Arranged by: Nobuhiko Nakayama (Shouso Strip, Sanmon Gossip, etc)
08 - 青春の瞬き (Seishun no Matataki)
By: Chiaki Kuriyama (23/11/2011)
Arranged by: Tomita Lab
09 - 真夏の脱獄者 (Manatsu no Datsugokusha)
By: SMAP (08/08/2012)
Arranged by: Shinichi Osawa (Mondo Grosso, Boa, Crystal Kay, Namie Amuro, pretty much anything Avex)
10 - 幸先坂 (Saisakizaka)
By: Youko Maki (27/05/2013)
Arranged by: Yoshiaki Sato (accordionist in Toutaikai and Hantaikai)
11 - 望遠鏡の外の景色 (Bouenkyou no Soto no Keshiki)
By: Noda Igeki (06/09/2012)
Arranged by: Youichi Murata (Pizzicato Five, Southern All-Stars, SMAP, TOKIO, etc)

Shiina Ringo
Chottoshita Reko Hatsu 2014
~Yokohama Kou he Gyakuyunyuu~

Dates: 26/05/2014 and 27/05/2014

Venue: 横浜大さん橋ホールは (Yokohama Daisan Hashi Hall)

Doors Open: 06:15PM

Start: 19:00PM

Shiina Ringo
Chottoshita Reko Hatsu 2014
~Oosaka Kou he Gyakuyunyuu~

Dates: 05/06/2014 and 06/06/2014

Venue: Sankei Hall Breeze (Osaka)

Doors Open: 06:15PM

Start: 19:00PM

Tickets for the shows will be on sale through Ringohan, as usual.

Credits to Yahiko and Chris for helping me put this together. You guys rock!

Sheena Ringo 15th Anniversary "Toutaikai" - Translations

Here are some translations from the Toutaikai shows, mainly what Ringo said in some of the MCs and the voice-over tracks of the "The Truth About the Rumours Corners".

All of these were found in the 2ch Shiina Ringo board and are rough translations done by me and Yahiko. I'll put the original text too, of course.

Sheena Ringo 15th Anniversary "Toutaikai" - Setlists

Another concert tour, another setlists post. This time I'll try to gather the setlists for each of the 5 days of the 党大会 (Toutaikai) shows and also of the 2 班大会 (Hantaikai) shows.

The Hantaikai shows are limited to Ringohan members and the last one will be live broadcast at a large number of cinemas, so it's likely that's the day we'll get on the future DVD/BR release.

The Toutaikai shows will all happen at the Bunkamura Orchard Hall, and the Hantaikai shows will happen at the Hamarikyu Asahi Hall. Also, every concert will open doors at 6PM and start at 7PM.

"IT WAS YOU" and "Netsuai Hakkakuchu" both get a PV

Most of you should be aware of this, considering the 1 million views the Yasutaka Nakata collab-song already has, but in case you weren't, I'll just leave this here.

PS - Let's hope for another million in 2 days.

EDIT: Full version of "Netsuai Hakkakuchu" was uploaded too.

Ringo 15th Anniversary Releases

There's a lot of excitement building up with the approach of Ringo's 15th anniversary in the music industry. A little bit like what happened during the 10th anniversary, with the unforgettable Ringo EXPO 08 and a couple of other releases that culminated with her 5th (or is it 4th?) solo album, Sanmon Gossip.

This time it won't be different: actually it will be better!

The anniversary concerts, called 党大会 (Toutaikai), will run for 5 days in Shibuya's Bunkamura concert venue, and we can pretty much rest assured that there'll be a DVD/BR for that later on. But before all that, we'll have a bunch of stuff to spend money on. A "Collaborations Best Of" album, a "Live Best Of" album, all of the 4 Seiteki Healing discs released in a combo Blu-Ray and all of her live concerts released in Blu-Ray as well. All of it will be released on November 13.

Here are the cover artworks and tracklists, released by kronekodow.

Title: 浮き名(Ukina)
Release Date: 20013.11.13
01 - やさしい哲学／冨田ラボ
02 - CRAZY DAYS CRAZY FEELING／ZAZEN BOYS
03 - ロッキンルーラ／MO'SOME TONEBENDER
04 - IT WAS YOU／椎名林檎と斎藤ネコカルテット
05 - Rock & Hammer／谷口 崇
06 - You make me feel so bad／ZAZEN BOYS
07 - 熱愛発覚中／椎名林檎と中田ヤスタカ（CAPSULE）
08 - MY FOOLISH HEART 〜crazy on earth〜／SOIL&"PIMP"SESSIONS×椎名林檎
09 - あまいやまい feat.椎名林檎／マボロシ
10 - 危険すぎる／浅井健一
11 - becoming／谷口 崇
12 - きらきら武士 feat.Deyonna／レキシ
13 - 殺し屋危機一髪／SOIL&"PIMP"SESSIONSと椎名林檎
14 - APPLE with Ringo Sheena／TOWA TEI
15 - Between Today and Tomorrow／椎名林檎と斎藤ネコカルテット
Bonus Track
16 - MY FOOLISH HEART 〜crazy on shibuya〜／SOIL&"PIMP"SESSIONS×椎名林檎

Translation:
01 - Yasashii Tetsugaku / Tomita Lab
02 - CRAZY DAYS CRAZY FEELING / Zazen Boys
03 - Rockin' Ruler / MO'SOME TONEBENDER
04 - IT WAS YOU / Shiina Ringo & Saitou Neko Quartet
05 - Rock & Hammer / Takashi Taniguchi
06 - You make me feel so bad / ZAZEN BOYS
07 - Netsuai Hakkaku Chuu/ Shiina Ringo & Yasukata Nakata (Capsule)
08 - MY FOOLISH HEART ~crazy on earth~ / SOIL&"PIMP"SESSIONS x Shiina Ringo
09 - Amai Yamai feat. Shiina Ringo / Maboroshi
10 - Kiken Sugiru / Asai Kennichi
11 - becoming / Takashi Taniguchi
12 - Kira Kira Bushi feat. Deyonna / Rekishi
13 - Koroshiya Kikiippatsu / SOIL&"PIMP"SESSIONS & Shiina Ringo
14 - APPLE with Ringo Sheena / TOWA TEI
15 - Between Today and Tomorrow / Shiina Ringo & Saitou Neko Quartet
Bonus Track
16 - MY FOOLISH HEART ~crazy on shibuya~/ SOIL&"PIMP"SESSIONS x Shiina Ringo

Title: 蜜月抄 (Mitsugetsu Shou)

Release Date: 20013.11.13
01 -  本能　＜“下剋上エクスタシー”2000.4.26 NHKホール＞
02 - 歌舞伎町の女王　＜“座禅エクスタシー”2000.7.30嘉穂劇場＞
03 - ありあまる富　＜NHK「SONGS」2009年放送＞
04 - 迷彩　＜“第一回林檎班大会の模様”2005.12 恵比寿ガーデンホール＞
05 - 今夜だふ　＜発育ステータス"御起立ジャポン"2000.7.8 新宿リキッド＞
06 - 茜さす帰路照らされど…　＜“座禅エクスタシー”2000.7.30嘉穂劇場＞
07 - 積木遊び　＜“下剋上エクスタシー”2000.4.26 NHKホール＞
08 - 浴室　＜“座禅エクスタシー”2000.7.30嘉穂劇場＞
09 - 茎（STEM）　＜“Ringo EXPO 08”2008.11.30さいたまスーパーアリーナ＞
10 - りんごのうた　＜“第一回林檎班大会の模様”2005.12 代官山UNIT＞
11 - 罪と罰 　＜“Electric Mole”2003.9.27 日本武道館＞
12 - 丸ノ内サディスティック　＜“Electric Mole”2003.9.27 日本武道館＞
13 - 密偵物語　＜NHK「SONGS」2009年放送＞
14 - あおぞら　＜“下剋上エクスタシー”2000.4.26 NHKホール＞
15 - ポルターガイスト　＜“賣笑エクスタシー”2003.5.27 九段会館＞
16 - この世の限り　＜“Ringo EXPO 08”2008.11.30さいたまスーパーアリーナ＞

Translation:

01 - Honnou (Gekokujou Xstasy 2000.4.26 NHK Hall)

02 - Kabukichou no Joou (Zazen Xstasy 2000.7.30 Kaho Gekijou)

03 - Ariamaru Tomi (NHK SONGS broadcasted in 2009)

04 - Meisai (Dai Ikkai Ringohan Taikai no Moyou 2005.12 Ebisu Garden Hall)

05 - Konya Dafu (Hatsuiku Status "Gokiritsu Japon" 2000.7.8 Shin Yado Liquid)

06 - Akane Sasu Kiru Terasaredo... (Zazen Xstasy 2000.7.30 Kaho Gekijou)

07 - Tsumiki Asobi (Gekokujou Xstasy 2000.4.26 NHK Hall)

08 - Yokushitsu (Zazen Xstasy 2000.7.30 Kaho Gekijou)

09 - Kuki (STEM) (Ringo EXPO 08 2008.11.30 Saitama Super Arena)

10 - Ringo no Uta (Dai Ikkai Ringohan Taikai no Moyou 2005.12 Daikan Yama UNIT)

11 - Tsumi to Batsu (Electric Mole 2003.9.27 Nippon Budokan)

12 - Marunouchi Sadistic (Electric Mole 2003.9.27 Nippon Budokan)

13 - Mittei Monogatari (NHK SONGS broadcasted in 2009)

14 - Aozora (Gekokujou Xstasy 2000.4.26 NHK Hall)

15 - Poltergeist (Baishou Xstasy 2003.5.27 Kudan Kaikan)

16 - Kono Yo no Kagiri (Ringo EXPO 08 2008.11.30 Saitama Super Arena)

Title: The Sexual Healing Total Care Course 120min

Release Date: 20013.11.13

Disc 1 - Seiteki Healing ~Sono Ichi~

Disc 2 - Seiteki Healing ~Sono Ni~

Disc 3 - Seiteki Healing ~Sono San~

Disc 4 - Seiteki Healing ~Sono Shi~

Title: LIVE

Release Date: 20013.11.13

Disc 1 - Gekokujou Xstasy

Disc 2 - Hatsuiku Status "Gokiritsu Japon"

Disc 3 - Baishou Xstasy

Disc 4 - Electric Mole

Disc 5 - Zazen Xstasy

Disc 6 - Ringo EXPO 08

Disc 7 - Dai Ikkai Ringohan Taikai no Moyou

Disc 8 - Senkou Xstasy Document

Shiina Ringo will participate in Tomita Lab's new album

Update: Inserted the tracklist and other tidbits revealed through Natalie.mu.

Continuing with the collaborations that have marked most of the last years in Ringo's career, there is news of yet another project.

This time, producer Tomita Keiichi, known as Tomita Lab, requested her participation in his upcoming 4th studio album: Joyous. It was revealed that Ringo will lend her voice to 3 different tracks, and also her lyricist skills in one of them, "Yasashii Tetsugaku".

Joyous will have the participation of 3 other vocalists: Yuko Hara (Southern All-Stars' pianist), Yokoyama Ken (Crazy Ken Band) and Sakaiyuu. The album will have two editions: first-press and normal-press. The first-press will come with 2 CDs, the second of which will contain instrumental versions of the songs from the first CD (8 tracks in total). The first CD will have 10 tracks.

Title: Joyous
Release Date: 23.10.2013
01 - やさしい哲学 feat. 椎名林檎 (Yasashii Tetsugaku)
03 - 都会の夜 わたしの街 feat. 原 由子, 横山 剣, 椎名林檎, さかいゆう (Tokai no Yoru, Watashi no Machi)
09 - この世は不思議 feat. 原 由子, 横山剣, 椎名林檎, さかいゆう(Kono Yo wa Fushigi)

Bonus Disc:
02 - やさしい哲学 -Instrumental-
04 - 都会の夜 わたしの街 -Instrumental-
08 - この世は不思議 -Instrumental-

For a bit of related trivia, Tomita Lab arranged Yumi Matsutoya's cover of "Kaede", in the Sweets for my Spitz covers compilation album. Ringo participated in that album with a cover of "Spica".

There is room for speculation too: is this a new path for Ringo? Considering how Kameda has been producing most of her releases since a long time, is she trying to work with different people now? Maybe Tomita Lab?

She has done a awful lot of collaborating in this year already and, after Jihen's break-up, I think that means a lot. Let's see how it goes after the 15th anniversary shows in November.

"Koroshiya Kiki Ippatsu" PV out now

Enjoy it.

Ringo collaborates with Soil & "Pimp" Sessions once again

There's a new Ringo song around the corner, and this time it's a collaboration with Soil & "Pimp" Sessions, a band she has worked with a lot of times before. It's called "殺し屋危機一髪" (Koroshiya Kiki Ippatsu), meaning something like "The Assassin's Close Call" but officially translated as "The Assassin's Assassin".

The lyrics were written by Ringo herself and the song was composed by her and Tabu Zombie, the band's trumpeter and one of the founding members. The arranger is Saitou Neko, another regular, and the song will feature a small orchestra.

There is a special teaser clip on YouTube and NicoNicoDouga, and a full PV will be released on June 7. The song in the teaser clip is called "ピンプパンサー" (Pimp Panther), which will either be a B-Side of the single or another track of a future album, if I may take any guess.

If the title of the song and video can tell us anything is that this is probably going to be reminiscent of spy action songs like "Mayonaka wa Junketsu", "Mittei Monogatari" or maybe "Karisome Otome".  The video is also very reminiscent of "Konya wa Karasawagi".

But that's just taking guesses, we'll have to check it out on June 7.

This collaboration represents the 2nd stage of Soil & "Pimp" Sessions 10th Anniversary, following April's release of "Jazzy Conversation", a collaboration with Rhymester, one of Mummy-D's hip-hop bands. You should remember Mummy-D from all the collaborations with Ringo, as well.

These anniversary releases point out to an eventual Soil's album this year, with "殺し屋危機一髪" included.

The following image, posted on kronekodow as a "mysterious photograph", looks pretty much like what the single cover will look like, without any words on it.

"Jazzy Conversation" was a digital-only release, but this time it will be a retail release also.

Title: 殺し屋危機一髪 (Koroshiya Kiki Ippatsu)

Release Date: 26/06/2013
Price: 1200 Yen
VICL-36788

Lastly, here's a bunch of screens from the teaser clip.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Official YouTube Channels

After a long time, both Shiina Ringo and Tokyo Jihen have official YouTube channels, through Vevo. Most of the videos are uploaded there, with 240p to 360p maximum resolutions. Some of the old ones are 480p, but, in the case of "STEM", the aspect ratio is incorrect: 4:3 instead of 16:9.
Not great, but not bad either, since we can finally share most of them legaly and without worrying about their eventual take-down.

However, it isn't a perfect solution, since some of the videos are locked outside of Japan. Kind of lame, if you ask me.

Shiina Ringo Official YouTube Channel

Tokyo Jihen Official YouTube Channel

Wake up everyone, there's a new Ringo single coming!

Long time since worthwhile news, am I right?

Shiina Ringo is releasing a new single next month and it's a double A-Side, made of two tie-ins. She does like to tie-in, doesn't she?

The first song, いろはにほへと, serves as Fuji TV's new dorama series, 鴨、京都へ行く。(Kamo, Kyoto e Iku.), which already started airing. The second song, 孤独のあかつき, ties-in with NHK-E's new cross-interview show, SWITCHインタビュー 達人達 (SWITCH Interview Tatsujin-tachi), whose first episode aired last Saturday.

Here are the release details, with the official cover picture.

Title: いろはにほへと／孤独のあかつき (Iro wa nioedo / Kodoku no Akatsuki)

Release Date: 27 May 2013

01 - いろはにほへと (Preview)

02 - 孤独のあかつき (Preview)

Both songs were composed by Ringo, and while the lyrics for いろはにほへと were written by her as well, Watanabe Aya was in charge of 孤独のあかつき 's lyrics.

Pre-orders are available at the usual online stores.

Ringo was invited to Nakamura Kenzaburou XVIII's NHK Memorial TV Program

Because of their close friendship, Shiina Ringo shared some words about Nakamura Kenzaburou XVIII's, at a NHK-G special memorial program about the kabuki player's life who died last week. Nakamura Kenzaburou was responsible for the "Sannin Kichisa" play, for which Ringo wrote the song "Tamatebako".

Her part on the memorial program was very brief, but I took some snapshots either way because it's the most recent pictures we see of her. I'd say she seems pretty fit for a KZK 2, don't you think?

SWITCH March 2010 Scans

Here are my scans for the March 2010 issue of the SWITCH magazine, featuring loads of Ringo and Jihen content, during the Sports era.


SWITCH - 2010.03
Download (24 PNGs)

As the cover says, there's a Shiina Ringo x CHANEL photoshoot inside, one of her collaborations with the fashion house before the recent THE LITTLE BLACK JACKET exhibition/book.
I didn't include the pages where there was only text/interviews, by the way.

Shiina Ringo - 2007.03.11 - Otakara Show at NHK

After the (still shocking) Tokyo Jihen dissolution, we still don't know what plans Ringo has in her mind for the future of her career. So let's take a look at what she was doing in a not so distant past.

Otakara Show was a NHKG Special made to promote the Heisei Fuuzoku album. In it, Ringo spoke about her career and how she was approached to make this soundtrack for the Sakuran movie. There's also appearances by violinist Saitou Neko and Ringo's brother, Shiina Junpei.

The glamorous concept of the show is very similar to what can be found in the Baishou Xstasy or Dai Ikkai Ringohan DVDs, and the 8 performances are sure to please any fan of the Heisei Fuuzoku era.

01 - 歌舞伎町の女王 (Kabukichou no Joou)
02 - 罪と罰 (Tsumi to Batsu)
03 - 茎 (Kuki)
04 - パパイヤマンゴー (Papaya Mango)
05 - 錯乱 (Sakuran)
06 - 意識 (Ishiki)
07 - この世の限り (Kono Yo no Kagiri)
08 - 迷彩 (Meisai)

Download (MP3 V0)
Download (MP4 H264 848x420)

Sadistic News

The word is out: Tokyo Jihen have disbanded.

Through a series of messages from every member, posted on Kronekodow and the official band page, Tokyo Jihen announced the end of this Phase and also the band itself.

It is truly a sad day for every fan, including myself.

I can only find hope in believing that Shiina Ringo will not stop being a musician and continue her solo career.

But I'm not here to express my feelings on this matter, I have done it in other places.

Tokyo Jihen have announced a farewell tour to start next month. Tickets will be sold from January 13th to January 23rd, and the dates/venues are as follows:

February 14th

神奈川県 横浜アリーナ

Kanagawa Prefecture - Yokohama Arena

February 15th

神奈川県 横浜アリーナ

Kanagawa Prefecture - Yokohama Arena

February 21st

大阪府 大阪城ホール

Osaka - Osaka Jo Hall

February 22nd

大阪府 大阪城ホール

Osaka - Osaka Jo Hall

February 28th

東京都 日本武道館

Tokyo - Nippon Budokan

February 29th

東京都 日本武道館

Tokyo - Nippon Budokan

Price of the tickets will be 8888 JPY for all venues (approx. $115).

They will also participate in the January 20th episode of Music Station. A chance to promote color bars and talk about the disbanding, I'm sure. Hopefully also about the future.