Japanese news - Yahoo! Trend News

A short animation film and a theme song for opening "OTAKON 2010" is anounced today.
"OTAKON 2010" is a convention held in the U.S. to introduce Japanese Anime and comics.

Production I.G. is making the short animation film and Nekomataya will be directing its animation. Production I.G. is well-known for "Ghost in the Shell", "Eden of the East", and "Sengoku BASARA". Nekomataya had directed "EUREKA SEVEN" and "Full metal Alchemist.”

The original theme song “Shacles of Nights” has Hiroki Kikuta (Legend of holly sword series) as a producer, Hiroaki Yura (founder of eminence orchestra) as a supervisor and Shihori (singer-songwriter who wrote several songs for Nana Mizuki and co-wrrote the lyrics for “Universal Bunny” of “Macross Frontier, the Movie” with Yoko Kamno)

You can purchase “Shackles of Night” at the following site.


Otakon is a convention that has started in 1994 to introduce Japanese anime and comics. It is the second biggest convention: first on is Anime Expo which is held in L.A. every year and the biggest one in the east coast. - Ota Lab

About the theme song for NY Yankees Masahiro Tanaka, which Shihori provided for Japanese No1 Idol Group "Momoiro Clover Z" - NY POST

Idol Group "Momoiro Clover Z" won Japan Academy Award (Popularity Award) which they acted as actors on the movie "The Curtain Rises".

Movie theme song "Seishun-Fu"
is composed by SHIHORI, sung by Momoiro Clover Z. Theme song for the movie “Maku ga agaru” in 2016. - Music Ntalie

As a J-POP singer songwriter, I usually write lyrics first, and write melodies along with them because the messages are the most important for me, like about love or life to encourage listeners, and this procedure can make melodies more free from common theories of writing habits. - A.V.A Radio

Japanese traditional religion called Shinto has the idea that the words can have spirit called as "Kotodama", which can have strong power to create life in words, I truly believe this idea to write lyrics or talk to people. - A.V.A Radio

Japanese vocalist and songwriter's 'half-silent world' is full of beautiful music

Shihori is an artist who started out life with what many perceived as challenges. She was born deaf in her left ear and it was later discovered that she also had a form of dwarfism and Asperger’s. Her family and those around her sought to correct these things but because of the unique combination of the Asperger’s and partial deafness, Shihori was largely unaware of these things as problems. What she called her “half-silent world” helped her develop her creativity and her extraordinary singing voice.

Many may not know this and it’s quite complicated, but the left ear is generally considered to be the “conversational” ear while the right is the “musical ear.” Since Shihori only ever heard out of her right ear, she only say the things people were saying to her as music.

Despite having to learn how to converse and how others heard, “I never hated my hearing in my life,” says Shihori, “because I love the sound of silence on my left side which always helps my creation. I have rather considered my deafness as a ‘gift’ and the other ear is a ‘gift’ as well because my right ear has a perfect pitch by nature.”

Shihori never fully understood why people saw her hearing and other differences as a problem. She pushed forward with her talent anyway and released a number of breathtaking singles in Japan to wide acclaim. Her song “TSUBASA” became the ending theme song of the anime Kishin Taiwan Gigantic Formula. She also has dozens of charted hits in Japan, she’s been Gold Disc Certified and worked with multiple top-notch producers both writing and singing.

In Japan, Shihori’s style was a combination of opera-style vocals, pop and musicals. She sings with a strength and freedom while maintaining perfect pitch that doesn’t often shine through in pop music. Unfortunately in Japan’s rigid society, she never felt fully accepted and the rigidity of the record label she worked with was fraught with control and even violence, resulting in her being kidnapped. She managed to break free and eventually move to New York City where she lives now and says she finally found the diversity and inspiration she’d been craving her whole life.

“I was so surprised when I came to NY for the first time. Independent and strong women are respected and there are lots of different preferences in music and style. I thought, ‘oh my God! This place really accepts uniqueness and freedom! I didn’t know there is a place like this totally different world that allows you to be yourself. Everybody looks so different. So many races, colors, cultures, fashion, ideas…I am so happy to be surrounded by colorful people!”

Shihori’s singles since moving to the US are much more EDM-based but still with that operatic flare and her pitch-perfect vocals. For her latest single “Perfect Imperfection,” she teamed up with well-known EDM and pop producer to create a bold, beautiful future bass-style pop single. With both lyrics and music, Shihori expresses the culmination of everything she’s come to know about her journey and the amazing differences between human beings that don’t make them flawed but even more perfect. - YOUR EDM

“Perfect Imperfection” is a beautiful song.
The song's message is uplifting, hopeful and truly inspiring, a reminder to look after ourselves at the most fundamental level. Isn’t that something we all need so much right now? Shihori’s voice is other worldly, open and vivid. She sings from her soul, from her hard-won experience, from her own life full of obstacles, trials, and a deep understanding of the unceasing struggle to be seen and respected just as she is.

Conformity is something close to Shihori’s heart, as a person not like everyone else around her growing up in Japan, where being different is often considered undesirable and to be avoided at all costs. Growing up with disabilities, both physical and neurological, Shihori has seen the world in a way that most of us never do. But as an artist, this uniqueness only drives her creativity, fuels her music and her writing, and produces a voice and an energy all her own.

thumbnail 239286

Now based in New York, Shihori can embrace all the variations and the richness of life all around her and feel gloriously surrounded by “different.” This single is a collaboration with the producer Dibs and a gorgeous mix of poetry, future bass beats, spiraling ambient classical piano, and layers upon layers of her heartbreaking vocals. It’s a wonderful song, telling a story we need to hear right now more than ever. To be strong and brave, and to revel in our differences, to embrace our uniqueness, to honor our selves and to celebrate our lives….just as we are. Love this record!!!

Shihori will be donating all Bandcamp proceeds from the single to Joyful Heart Foundation (http://www.joyfulheartfoundation.org/), who help victims of sexual abuse, DV and child abuse. - NOHO Arts District

Independent singer-songwriter Shihori debuted her new single this week.

Shihori debuted her new single ‘Perfect Imperfection’ Friday. The song is a flowing pop song that will appeal to fans of Adele and other similar acts through the use of its vocals, beat and keyboards.

The lyrical theme at the center of the song matches well with the song’s deeply emotional musical arrangement. The theme in question is one of self-acceptance. That message is delivered clearly in the song’s lyric video, which debuted July 31.

‘Perfect Imperfection’ is available to stream and download through Spotify, Soundcloud, Amazon, Google Play, and Apple Music. The song is also available to stream through her official Bandcamp page. All proceeds from the sale of Shihori’s new single through bandcamp will benefit the Joy Heart Foundation, which aids victims of sexual abuse, domestic violence, and child abuse. - Philspicks

Shihori is an artist that should serve as an inspiration to all. Born in Japan with natural hearing loss in the left ear and perfect pitch in the right ear, she also overcame being kidnapped. Yet she has pushed forward in her own way, making a successful career for herself in the J-pop industry for the past decade.

She’s since relocated here in New York and has released a pair of new singles with all of the proceeds from Bandcamp will benefit the Joyful Heart Foundation who help victims of sexual abuse, DV, and child abuse.

“Perfect Imperfection” is the a-side of the release and it features a moving and sincere emotional performance from Shihori that lands in a moving dramatic fashion that feels every bit as empowering as you imagine.

Here’s a personal statement about the song from Shihori, followed by a stream of the track.

“(My) half-silent world got me into extreme concentration; I lived in my own imagination world. I didn’t hear anything, just created…people thought I was ignoring them many times but I just didn’t hear anything from my left side and my other ear was only for my imagination. I never hated my hearing in my life, because I love the sound of silence on my left side which always helps my creation. I have rather considered my deafness as a “gift”, and the other ear is a “gift” as well because my right ear has a perfect pitch by nature.”

If you can find the funds, you can support her and the foundation by buying the song from Bandcamp. - WE ALL WANT SOMEONE TO SHOUT FOR

“Embrace who you are.” We’ve all heard this, probably many times throughout our lives. Sometimes these words were uttered by beautiful people with minimal flaws, as they tried to persuade us to engage in self-love and buy a product. Other times, they were spoken to us by people who have embraced us long before we did, such as friends, family, and mentors. But to Shihori, a remarkably talented artist who's dealt with a number of difficult trials and challenges, these words are the mantra she has been living and breathing since the day she was born.


ShihoriShihori
Shihori

Her start in the world was a rough one. Shihori was born with left-ear deafness, dwarfism and Asperger's Syndrome. And even though she was fortunate to have a loving family, their desire to give her a “normal life” resulted in many attempts at fixing her looks, treating her conditions, and changing much of what nature gave her. This left Shihori feeling empty, depressed, and somewhat perplexed about how to navigate the rest of her life. Realizing that she had a gift for music at an early age, Shihori decided to focus her attention on developing her talent.


Although left-ear deafness is usually seen as a negative, the young artist was able to find a way to turn it into a positive. Leaning into the silence, rather than away from it, she allowed it to get her centered and focused, a state of mind that enabled her creativity. "I have rather considered my deafness as a 'gift,' and the other ear is a 'gift' as well because my right ear has a perfect pitch by nature." Her latest single “Perfect Imperfection” is very much about this journey.




For the track, Shihori employed the help of Dibs, a well-known “electronic and pop super-producer.” Fusing their distinct sounds, the collaboration features incredible melodies over electronic music inspired by Indie pop. "Shihori is one of those rare artists that can combine emotion with musicality in a way that hits you at your core,” explained Dibs. “With a beautiful voice and a powerful story to match, Shihori's music is truly something special, and I have no doubt it will touch the hearts of so many."


"Perfect Imperfection" is set to release on all digital platforms on August 7th, 2020. Shihori will be donating all Bandcamp proceeds from the single to Joyful Heart Foundation. Check out more of her work here. - Art Publika MAgazine

New York-based singer-songwriter, pianist, and actress Shihori teams up with mega-producer Dibs to release “Perfect Imperfection,” a song/lyric video about realizing our flaws are what make us so uniquely special.

Originally from Nagoya, Japan, Shihori was born almost deaf in her left ear, while her right ear has perfect pitch. She also suffered from dwarfism and Asperger’s Syndrome and was even kidnapped. Yet she rose above her infirmities, singing by the age of 2, writing music when she was seven-years-old, followed by formal training as a classical pianist when she was nine-years-old.

Shihori explains, “(My) half-silent world got me into extreme concentration; I lived in my own imaginary world. I didn’t hear anything, just created…people thought I was ignoring them many times but I just didn’t hear anything from my left side and my other ear was only for my imagination. I never hated my hearing in my life, because I love the sound of silence on my left side which always helps my creation. I have rather considered my deafness as a “gift,” and the other ear is a “gift” as well because my right ear has a perfect pitch by nature.”

Perfect ImperfectionShihori – ‘Perfect Imperfection’
When she turned 17, Shihori elected to become a singer, sharing her message of love and peace with others. By the time she was 18, she was recording and performing, as well as writing hit songs for other artists, songs topping the Oricon Chart and achieving gold status.

On “Perfect Imperfection,” Shihori blends her exquisite voice with future bass, pop, and EDM flavors to generate a dazzling indie-pop treasure brimming with visceral energy.

Commenting on the way the song came together, Dibs says, “Shihori is one of those rare artists that can combine emotion with musicality in a way that hits you at your core. With a beautiful voice and a powerful story to match, Shihori’s music is truly something special, and I have no doubt it will touch the hearts of so many.”

Shihori will be donating all Bandcamp proceeds from the single to Joyful Heart Foundation, which aids victims of sexual abuse, DV, and child abuse.

“Perfect Imperfection” opens on an elegant piano, followed by the entry of Shihori’s delicious voice. As the rhythm takes hold, riding a potent bassline and crisp drums, the melody assumes coruscating textures topped by gleaming sonic accents. Radiant vocal harmonies infuse the lyrics with depth and resonant dimension.

“You should know you have the perfect imperfection / Every moment, every color / Within me all I discover / Shadow and light both together / Living in harmony / Who will be with you forever? / Isn’t that yourself?”

Wonderfully wrought and bursting with vibrancy, “Perfect Imperfection” delivers a sumptuous message of self-love and self-acceptance.

Follow Shihori Website | Facebook | Instagram | Spotify | Bandcamp | YouTube - Tatoo.com

Turning flaws into power, Japanese artist Shihori embraces all components of her persona in her new single “Perfect Imperfection.” Influenced by her journey of juggling left-ear deafness, dwarfism, and Asperger’s Syndrome, “Perfect Imperfection” is a chest-swelling pop piece where she works from a treasure box of synthetic, bursting beats and moments of soothing stillness. Nestled on an ethereal haze, the single initially invites us into a softcore soundscape before the gauzy atmospherics and quivering riffs kick in and draw its listeners into a starry-eyed dimension. It’s an avant-garde anthem where the siren-like vocals of Shihori channel the art of self-love and turning what may be considered as disability into an empowering source. Smash that play button:



Speaking of her latest single, Shihori shared:

“(My) half-silent world got me into extreme concentration; I lived in my own imagination world. I didn’t hear anything, just created…people thought I was ignoring them many times but I just didn’t hear anything from my left side and my other ear was only for my imagination. I never hated my hearing in my life, because I love the sound of silence on my left side which always helps my creation. I have rather considered my deafness as a “gift”, and the other ear is a “gift” as well because my right ear has a perfect pitch by nature.”

Shihori broke into the scene with her debut single “TSUBASA,” which has been used as a theme song for a TV anime back in 2007. Since then, the gal has composed and sang for many films, TV ads, and video games. She is also known for writing songs for many renowned Japanese artists such as Nana Mitzuki and Momoiro Clover Z. Shihori decided to move to New York in 2018 and released her first EP Angel In The Garden in the same year. All Bandcamp proceeds of her latest single “Perfect Imperfection” will be donated to Joyful Heart Foundation, an organization that helps victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, and child abuse. Stay tuned for more releases from the gal this year. - AuPIUM

Shihori’s latest single is a powerful one. Listen to it below for yourself.


Shiori Nakane’s music is original, especially her lyrical work here on this track. The word choices in this song are great, as well as her consistence to feign away from sounding like other artists. She makes her own voice (and message) much more unique by straining it at points when she sings, and on top of her own life experiences, this song has a powerful message of hope for listeners. No matter who you are.

“I lived in my own imagination world,” says Shihori, “I didn’t hear anything, I just created. I had no friends, but I didn’t even notice. People thought I was ignoring them many times but I just didn’t hear them, especially from my left side, and my right ear was for my imagination…everything sounds like music to me.”

Having been born with deafness in her left ear, Asperger’s syndrome and a form of dwarfism, many might have said the odds were stacked against her… but the fact of the matter is she trudged through her own perils and continues to sing her heart out.

Which is a big reason why, by the end of the song, Shihori delivers her highest of imperfections with fantastic success. Her vocals often strain at points, containing an authenticity few mainstream artists care to let loose. In the final minute, Perfect Imperfections hits a high note of dynamic talent, with Shihori’s vocals blaring like fireworks in an afternoon sky.

I highly suggest you check out her work as well as this video detailing her entire story as a musical artist. - PUNCH LAND