Also, it seems that some of the earlier entries are out of order in the original diary, so I left them that way. For the most part it's easy to figure out the correct order though, and in any case it doesn't really affect the diary.
Anything within the bracket marks "[" and "]" are notes added by me. :)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
After the QVC Show
We loved seeing the fireworks from backstage, they were beautiful!
Well then, we will meet again in the WILLPOLIS tour!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
View from the QVC Stage
This is a photo that Chama took from up on the stage!
What an amazing view!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The QVC Performance is Over!
Thank you very much to everyone who attended the show and watched it streaming!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In the Middle of Rehearsal for the Show
We hope you're looking forward to our first live show in about a year!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Continuing Recording
They're writing the arrangement.
Work is progressing well!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2013 Begins!
Happy new year everyone.
The band will also begin activities now! This year we will be continuously be working on significant projects. Please continue to support BUMP OF CHICKEN this year too!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thank you very much for this year, too
Thank you very much for this year, too
Everybody, thank you very much for continuing to support BUMP OF CHICKEN this year.
When I think that a year has passed since this previous tour started, I realize how time flies!
Let's not lose to time, and keep working hard next year too.
So, as is our yearly tradition, enjoy the members' human writing (using their bodies to form words or numbers.) Please continue to support us next year too.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Masukawa's birthday has passed.
Congratulations on turning 33, Masukawa Hiroaki! Coinciding with his birthday, the release of live performance footage (from the recent tour) has started, but we paused our work to have some cake!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
They have been holding instruments for recording and pictures, but it's been a while since they played a live performance in the studio! It was the best!!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Presents for Fujiki's (Fujiwara's column published in the magazine B-PASS) 100th publication have been sent out!
Presents for Fujiki's 100th publication have been sent out in Japan!
To everyone who applied, we apologize that it took such a long time.
We were delayed due to the tour and song making.
In addition, making the presents took about 50 hours!
The reason why will only be known by those who receive presents.
We'd be happy if you let us know when your present arrives with a postcard.
So everyone who applied, please enjoy look forward to the next few days as the post is processed. Enjoy!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Presents for Fujiki's (Fujiwara's column published in the magazine B-PASS) 100th publication
100 Nicole key holders!
They will be sent to the 100 people carefully selected by our raffle.
Fujiwara is thoroughly reading all of the application postcards. We will do the raffle afterwards.
It will take us a bit more time to prepare and send things out, to please look forward to it while you wait!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tour Memories
This is the damage done halfway through the tour.
Somehow, we managed to trick our way through this long tour!
*The members are not participating in Twitter or SNS (social networking.)
We don't have any plans to participate in the future either, so we are officially announcing it here.
Please don't panic or be misled by unofficial announcements…
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6/9 Shizuoka Ecopa Arena
We've come to Shizuoka for the first time in a while and we are continuing to perform!
The natural environment outside of this assembly hall was very nice!
After the show we all got caught in the crowds going home (lol.)
Thank you to everyone who attended!
6/2 Fukuoka Marine Messe
We've returned to Marine Messe for the first time in a while!
The ceiling was really high and it was a cool place.
Thank you to everyone who attended!
5/26 Hiroshima Green Arena
It's our first time at the Green Arena in 4 years.
The members came to Hiroshima yesterday, and wandered the town as they always do~
Thank you to everyone who attended!
5/19 Asty Tokushima
The previous picture was taken by Chama (Naoi) when we arrived at the Tokushima airport, and while he was MCing at the live show, he promised that "We'll upload it on the Takahashi Diary!"
It was our first time arriving in Tokushima, so the crowd got really excited!
People were so excited that the members only had a bit of time to stroll around town.
Thank you to everyone who attended!
5/18 The day we traveled to Tokushima
We've arrived in Tokushima for the first time!
Here is the picture that we promised to show you at the Tokushima live!
5/12 Hokkaido Prefectural Sports Center, Hokkaido Kitayell
When we arrived at the airport in Sapporo, we were surprised at how cold it was.
Thank you to everyone who attended!
5/6 Toki Messe • Niigata Convention Center
We had some free time in Niigata, and the members got to fully enjoy the city.
Thank you to everyone who attended!
5/5 Free time in Niigata
The day after our show in Kanazawa we arrived in Niigata.
So, since it was a holiday for all of Japan, from the afternoon the members wandered around town.
5/3 Ishikawa Prefecture Industrial Exhibition Center, building 4
This was our first live show in Kanazawa in 4 years.
Thank you to everyone who attended.
4/25 Osaka Castle Hall
Our two days in Osaka went well.
Thank you to everyone who attended!
4/24 Osaka Castle Hall
We've come back to Osaka after 3 months.
Thanks to everyone who attended, it was a huge crowd!
4/8 Makuhari Messe
Our two days in Makuhari went well!
Thank you to everyone who attended!
4/7 Makuhari Messe
The Gold Glider Tour is off to a great start!
We're looking forward to meeting people from all over the country!
Gold Glider Tour: START!
After about 4 years we've come back to Makuhari! (a convention center near Tokyo)
As soon as we entered the convention center we went straight to the band's first tour truck.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/18 Zepp Fukuoka
It's been about 8 years since we've been to Zepp Fukuoka.
Thank you to everyone who attended!
1/15 Kumamoto Drum Be-9 V1
After the Nagasaki show, we got on the bus and entered Kumamoto late at night.
Though it was our first performance there, the crowd was amazing!
Thank you to everyone who attended!
1/14 Nagasaki NCC & Studio
This was our first Nagasaki show in about 4 years!
We came to Nagasaki the previous night, and the members had champon and sara udon (Nagasaki foods) for dinner.
The live show was a big hit!
Thank you to everyone who attended!
1/12 Zepp Nagoya
The second day (in Nagoya) was a full house too.
Thank you to everyone who attended!
1/11 Zepp Nagoya
Since our campaign began, it's been about a year since we've visited Nagoya.
For the encore, the band played a very nostalgic song!
Thank you to everyone who attended!
1/9 Hiroshima Blue Live
This was our first live show in a newly built assembly hall.
It's located in a nice place near the coast, but unfortunately we couldn't let the members go outside.
The live show today was a big hit as well!
Thank you to everyone who attended!
1/8 Moving from Kouchi to Hiroshima
We took a break during our trip.
We got to visit a place we hadn't been for a long time.
(The Seto Great bridge, shown in photo)
1/7 Kouchi Bay5 Square
Our first live show in the new year! It was very exciting!
The atmosphere is always the best in assembly halls by the sea!
Thank you to everyone who attended!
Happy New Year!
Please continue to support Bump of Chicken this year too!
Thank you for a great year
Thank you for continuing to support BUMP OF CHICKEN this year too.
We've successfully completed the first half of the tour and completed everything on our schedule for the year.
We'll restart the tour next year on January 7th in Kouchi.
Each of the members is looking forward to meeting everyone.
And so! Now the members will tie up 2011 with human writing (using their bodies to form words or numbers for the first time in 2 years!
We'll continue to work hard next year too, so please keep supporting us!
Hiro Happy Birthday!
12/20 is Masukawa's birthday!
We're off to a flying start after the Koriyama show, but we still had to celebrate.
Congrats!
12/18 Koriyama Hipshot Japan
After the performance in Morioka, we rode in the bus to Koriyama.
Our last show of the year was full of energy!
Thank you to everyone who attended!
12/17 Morioka Club Change Wave
Our smallest show of the tour! We were very close to the audience (lol.)
We had reimen for dinner! (chilled Chinese noodles)
Thank you to everyone who attended!
12/15 Zepp Sapporo
This was our first show at Zepp Sapporo in about 5 years.
The members were interested in how the people of Sapporo could walk so well on the frozen ground.
Thank you to everyone who attended!
12/12 Zepp Sendai
This was our first show in Zepp Sendai in 5 years. When we arrived in Sendai last night the members walked over to the Light Pageant.
Thank you to everyone who attended!
12/9 Niigata LOTS
For our first performance of the Good Glider Tour we headed to Niigata. This was our first live at LOTS in 8 years, to be honest!
Thank you to everyone who attended!
Good Glider Tour Start!
Over December 5th and 6th we started out first tour in about 3 years in Shibuya AX.
Thank you to everyone who attended!
All the members are looking forward to the performances from here on out.
We apologize for postponing sales of the passcase tour goods. We're sorry for causing trouble for those who were looking forward to it. As of the writing of this entry on 12/7 we don't have any plans to restart sales. We're hoping to restart sales as quickly as possible.
Here you can see the members standing gallantly on the stage for the first time in about 3 years! Photography and photo by Kokei Kazumichi. Thank you for the diary photo.
And thank you for asking about the diary when we met! (sweat drop)
Chama Happy Birthday
Today is Chama's birthday.
Since we were working in the studio that date, we changed the date and celebrated on the 9th. Happy birthday Chama!!
"Cosmonaut" music scores are being manufactured
We plan to start sales in the last part of July.
Until last time we supervised the members in making the score from the sheet music, but now the score and sheet music will be left entirely to the members.
Composing in the studio
Hello.
Yesterday the band got together in the studio and composed. It got a bit warm in there, but we kept on with our underground activities as usual (lol.)
It's been a while since we've been able to participate in summery things, like music fests, but this year we won't be able to participate either.
It's been three years now since our last live show… We're in the most important time since the band was formed, but the day will surely come when we are able to take a break. It will!!
We'll keep on working hard.
* We've received some postal items in the office without names and addresses. We are unable to open these, so please be sure to write your name and address from now on.
We've resumed production
We want to express our concern for the victims of the recent earthquake and our deepest sympathies from our hearts for the people who have died.
10 days have passed since the earthquake, but the disaster area is still in a terrible state. Wanting to offer aid even one moment sooner, the members are collecting donations from everyone. The members and staff got together to discuss how to tie band activities to relief efforts, and when we realize these plans we hope you will join us.
The members have resumed production as of this week. They are creating new songs, and we also want to do a live show. We want to continue our work at full capacity.
BUMP OF CHICKEN is OK
We want to express our concern for the victims of the recent earthquake. The safety of the members of BUMP OF CHICKEN is confirmed.
We're filming the PV (promotional video)
We're a bit late, but happy new year.
Please continue to support us in 2011 too!
We want to start off the new year by getting down to work right away. Today we're filming the PV. Right now we're filming the musical performance scene! We'll work hard until late tonight!!
Thank you for another great year!
It's New Year's Eve,
thank you so much for another great year!
The band worked in the studio until the end of the year.
2010 was the first year that the members have immersed themselves in music production so deeply. Even though we didn't do any live shows!! What a waste of their voices (sorry!) But we were still very productive every day.
Following the release of Cosmonaut we will hold off on releasing Song of Friends next year, but we are continuing to work hard so please keep on supporting us!
Finishing the tour
7/14 Imperial Palace Sekisui Heim Super Arena
The Gold Glider Tour has concluded at the Imperial Palace!
The tour that started in December has finally reached its end!
When we started in December at AX we thought the tour would feel like a long time, but now that it's over it seems like the blink of an eye.
Over 200,000 people came to see the tour.
All shows sold out.
Even though it was our first tour in three and a half years, we are so happy that it turned out like this!
We're looking forward to seeing everyone again in our next tour.
Please be well until then!
Thank you very much!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7/8 Tokyo Yoyogi National Gymnasium Gym #1
The band's first 4-day show (in the Yoyogi National Gymnasium) went well!
Thank you to everyone who attended!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7/7 Tokyo Yoyogi National Gymnasium Gym #1
The third show (in the Yoyogi National Gymnasium) on Tanabata (Star Festival on July 7th) went well.
Thank you to everyone who attended!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7/4 Tokyo Yoyogi National Gymnasium Gym #1
The second day (in the Yoyogi National Gymnasium) went well.
Thank you to everyone who attended!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7/3 Tokyo Yoyogi National Gymnasium Gym #1
The tour will soon be over, it went very quickly.
And so, we've come back to Tokyo! It was our first show in 6 years at Yoyogi (National Gymnasium) Gym #1. Thank you to everyone who attended!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6/27 Nagoya Japan Gaishi Hall
The second day here was also a full house!
Thank you to everyone who attended!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6/26 Nagoya Japan Gaishi Hall
From the start of this live house tour, it's been half a year since we've been to Nagoya.
And it's been four years since we've been to the Gaishi Hall (Nagoya Civic General Gymnasium.)
The first time we came here was for a radio program event.
Thank you to everyone who attended!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6/21 Kobe World Hall
This is our first 2-day show in Kobe.
It was a huge crowd, thank you to everyone who attended!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6/20 Kobe World Hall
We've arrived at our first performance in Kobe in 8 years.
It's got the nostalgic feeling of when we last performed at Chicken George (a music concert in Kobe.)
Thank you to everyone who attended!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6/9 Shizuoka Ecopa Arena
We've come to Shizuoka for the first time in a while and we are continuing to perform!
The natural environment outside of this assembly hall was very nice!
After the show we all got caught in the crowds going home (lol.)
Thank you to everyone who attended!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6/2 Fukuoka Marine Messe
We've returned to Marine Messe for the first time in a while!
The ceiling was really high and it was a cool place.
Thank you to everyone who attended!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5/26 Hiroshima Green Arena
It's our first time at the Green Arena in 4 years.
The members came to Hiroshima yesterday, and wandered the town as they always do~
Thank you to everyone who attended!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5/19 Asty Tokushima
The previous picture was taken by Chama (Naoi) when we arrived at the Tokushima airport, and while he was MCing at the live show, he promised that "We'll upload it on the Takahashi Diary!"
It was our first time arriving in Tokushima, so the crowd got really excited!
People were so excited that the members only had a bit of time to stroll around town.
Thank you to everyone who attended!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5/18 The day we traveled to Tokushima
We've arrived in Tokushima for the first time!
Here is the picture that we promised to show you at the Tokushima live!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5/12 Hokkaido Prefectural Sports Center, Hokkaido Kitayell
When we arrived at the airport in Sapporo, we were surprised at how cold it was.
Thank you to everyone who attended!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5/6 Toki Messe • Niigata Convention Center
We had some free time in Niigata, and the members got to fully enjoy the city.
Thank you to everyone who attended!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5/5 Free time in Niigata
The day after our show in Kanazawa we arrived in Niigata.
So, since it was a holiday for all of Japan, from the afternoon the members wandered around town.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5/3 Ishikawa Prefecture Industrial Exhibition Center, building 4
This was our first live show in Kanazawa in 4 years.
Thank you to everyone who attended.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4/25 Osaka Castle Hall
Our two days in Osaka went well.
Thank you to everyone who attended!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4/24 Osaka Castle Hall
We've come back to Osaka after 3 months.
Thanks to everyone who attended, it was a huge crowd!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4/8 Makuhari Messe
Our two days in Makuhari went well!
Thank you to everyone who attended!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4/7 Makuhari Messe
The Gold Glider Tour is off to a great start!
We're looking forward to meeting people from all over the country!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gold Glider Tour: START!
After about 4 years we've come back to Makuhari! (a convention center near Tokyo)
As soon as we entered the convention center we went straight to the band's first tour truck.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Good Glider Tour is over!
Our first tour in about three years, the Good Glider Tour, has ended well thanks to all of you!
Let's meet again when the Gold Glider Tour begins in April!
This photo is from our last day in Zepp Tokyo before the encore.
Thank you, Kokei-san!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/31 Zepp Tokyo
The last day of the tour has arrived!
The excitement in the assembly hall was astounding!
Thank you to everyone who attended!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/30 Zepp Tokyo
For our last tour location, we returned to Tokyo!
Thank you to everyone who attended!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/26 Zepp Osaka
On the second day, the members had yet to eat any Osaka food, so we fried takoyaki in the dressing room!
The second day was also a full house! Thank you to everyone who attended!
1/25 Zepp Osaka
It's been a long 8 years since we've been to Zepp Osaka.
Thank you to everyone who attended!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/21 Okinawa Music Town
We've returned to the location of the final show from our last tour, Okinawa.
On the day before the performance the members did some sightseeing at Kokusaidouri and other places.
Thank you to everyone who attended!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/18 Zepp Fukuoka
It's been about 8 years since we've been to Zepp Fukuoka.
Thank you to everyone who attended!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/15 Kumamoto Drum Be-9 V1
After the Nagasaki show, we got on the bus and entered Kumamoto late at night.
Though it was our first performance there, the crowd was amazing!
Thank you to everyone who attended!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/14 Nagasaki NCC & Studio
This was our first Nagasaki show in about 4 years!
We came to Nagasaki the previous night, and the members had champon and sara udon (Nagasaki foods) for dinner.
The live show was a big hit!
Thank you to everyone who attended!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/12 Zepp Nagoya
The second day (in Nagoya) was a full house too.
Thank you to everyone who attended!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/11 Zepp Nagoya
Since our campaign began, it's been about a year since we've visited Nagoya.
For the encore, the band played a very nostalgic song!
Thank you to everyone who attended!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/9 Hiroshima Blue Live
This was our first live show in a newly built assembly hall.
It's located in a nice place near the coast, but unfortunately we couldn't let the members go outside.
The live show today was a big hit as well!
Thank you to everyone who attended!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/8 Moving from Kouchi to Hiroshima
We took a break during our trip.
We got to visit a place we hadn't been for a long time.
(The Seto Great bridge, shown in photo)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/7 Kouchi Bay5 Square
Our first live show in the new year! It was very exciting!
The atmosphere is always the best in assembly halls by the sea!
Thank you to everyone who attended!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Happy New Year!
Please continue to support Bump of Chicken this year too!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thank you for a great year
Thank you for continuing to support BUMP OF CHICKEN this year too.
We've successfully completed the first half of the tour and completed everything on our schedule for the year.
We'll restart the tour next year on January 7th in Kouchi.
Each of the members is looking forward to meeting everyone.
And so! Now the members will tie up 2011 with human writing (using their bodies to form words or numbers for the first time in 2 years!
We'll continue to work hard next year too, so please keep supporting us!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hiro Happy Birthday!
12/20 is Masukawa's birthday!
We're off to a flying start after the Koriyama show, but we still had to celebrate.
Congrats!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12/18 Koriyama Hipshot Japan
After the performance in Morioka, we rode in the bus to Koriyama.
Our last show of the year was full of energy!
Thank you to everyone who attended!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12/17 Morioka Club Change Wave
Our smallest show of the tour! We were very close to the audience (lol.)
We had reimen for dinner! (chilled Chinese noodles)
Thank you to everyone who attended!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12/15 Zepp Sapporo
This was our first show at Zepp Sapporo in about 5 years.
The members were interested in how the people of Sapporo could walk so well on the frozen ground.
Thank you to everyone who attended!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12/12 Zepp Sendai
This was our first show in Zepp Sendai in 5 years. When we arrived in Sendai last night the members walked over to the Light Pageant.
Thank you to everyone who attended!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12/9 Niigata LOTS
For our first performance of the Good Glider Tour we headed to Niigata. This was our first live at LOTS in 8 years, to be honest!
Thank you to everyone who attended!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Good Glider Tour Start!
Over December 5th and 6th we started out first tour in about 3 years in Shibuya AX.
Thank you to everyone who attended!
All the members are looking forward to the performances from here on out.
We apologize for postponing sales of the passcase tour goods. We're sorry for causing trouble for those who were looking forward to it. As of the writing of this entry on 12/7 we don't have any plans to restart sales. We're hoping to restart sales as quickly as possible.
Here you can see the members standing gallantly on the stage for the first time in about 3 years! Photography and photo by Kokei Kazumichi. Thank you for the diary photo.
And thank you for asking about the diary when we met! (sweat drop)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chama Happy Birthday
Today is Chama's birthday.
Since we were working in the studio that date, we changed the date and celebrated on the 9th. Happy birthday Chama!!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Cosmonaut" music scores are being manufactured
We plan to start sales in the last part of July.
Until last time we supervised the members in making the score from the sheet music, but now the score and sheet music will be left entirely to the members.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Composing in the studio
Hello.
Yesterday the band got together in the studio and composed. It got a bit warm in there, but we kept on with our underground activities as usual (lol.)
It's been a while since we've been able to participate in summery things, like music fests, but this year we won't be able to participate either.
It's been three years now since our last live show… We're in the most important time since the band was formed, but the day will surely come when we are able to take a break. It will!!
We'll keep on working hard.
* We've received some postal items in the office without names and addresses. We are unable to open these, so please be sure to write your name and address from now on.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We've resumed production
We want to express our concern for the victims of the recent earthquake and our deepest sympathies from our hearts for the people who have died.
10 days have passed since the earthquake, but the disaster area is still in a terrible state. Wanting to offer aid even one moment sooner, the members are collecting donations from everyone. The members and staff got together to discuss how to tie band activities to relief efforts, and when we realize these plans we hope you will join us.
The members have resumed production as of this week. They are creating new songs, and we also want to do a live show. We want to continue our work at full capacity.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BUMP OF CHICKEN is OK
We want to express our concern for the victims of the recent earthquake. The safety of the members of BUMP OF CHICKEN is confirmed.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We're filming the PV (promotional video)
We're a bit late, but happy new year.
Please continue to support us in 2011 too!
We want to start off the new year by getting down to work right away. Today we're filming the PV. Right now we're filming the musical performance scene! We'll work hard until late tonight!!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thank you for another great year!
It's New Year's Eve,
thank you so much for another great year!
The band worked in the studio until the end of the year.
2010 was the first year that the members have immersed themselves in music production so deeply. Even though we didn't do any live shows!! What a waste of their voices (sorry!) But we were still very productive every day.
Following the release of Cosmonaut we will hold off on releasing Song of Friends next year, but we are continuing to work hard so please keep on supporting us!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
COSMONAUT is ready!
The commercial version of COSMONAUT is ready!
Next week we will announce it to everyone.
Recently the members have been busy with promotion activities.
We're appearing in many things, so be sure to check us out.
We'll keep working hard!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Filming the Motorcycle promotional video (music video)
It's 2 AM right now.
Filming is still going on.
The members are working hard!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Summer greetings
This is our first update in a while.
It's become quite hot, we hope everyone is doing well.
We won't be participating in any music fests this year either, since we are immersed in production work.
To everyone waiting for us to perform live, we apologize again!
We're working mostly on recording, so please look forward to a new release soon (lol.)
Here is the latest photo of the members.
Everyone is well.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BUMP OF CHICKEN SECRET
It has become tomorrow.
The band has rehearsed and is now fully prepared.
Those who applied should look out for a late night email if you were selected!
We're looking forward to tomorrow!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hide-and-seek
… Is what we were playing.
They were trying to surprise me.
I took this photo at just the right moment.
The members had just finished their interview and Fujiwara was in a solo interview.
For thirty-year-olds to act in such a childish way…
Recently, we are getting ready for our next release and collecting all sorts of information.
Many different media agencies are working with us, so please check it out.
We are currently accepting applications for the BUMP OF CHICKEN SECRET show.
Unfortunately, we can't accept those from outside of the Tokyo area this time.
We'll definitely be doing a tour in the future, so please look forward to seeing all the members then.
Our work is going well~
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A new member has joined
Chama's new bass is complete.
It's a different color from his old light blue bass. This time it's yellow!
Usually Chama has to carry the light blue bass around, and when we tour we have to walk a lot, so it's very difficult (especially on airplanes!) Also, it's time for the blue bass to have maintenance, so we got the yellow bass for home use… It looks like he really liked it immediately??
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Happy New Year!
It's 2010, the new year has begun.
Happy New Year, everyone!
Please continue to support BUMP OF CHICKEN this year too!
We're continuing our production work from last year, and doing our best to let you know what we've got in store as soon as we can!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thank you for another great year
The members finished the year's work this morning!
We're bringing back the human writing to send you a message for 2009!
In the end we didn't get much work done this year, but we're happy that we at least got to see our fans.
Next year we will continue our work. And be more active than this year perhaps!?
We'd like to do some activities, so I think we'll be able to see all of you soon!
So, we'd like to thank you for this year.
Please continue to support us next year!
Everyone, have a great year!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Guests participated in our public recording
We invited guests to our public recording with FM Aichi.
The location was Nagoya Nadia Park.
About 3000 people attended.
It had been a while since the members had appeared before a crowd other than for live shows, so they were pretty nervous.
Thank you to everyone who attended!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We're doing a Nagoya campaign
We received a great souvenir from FM Aichi!
Thank you very much!!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Merry Christmas promotional video is now being filmed!
It's cold today!
The Merry Christmas promotional video is now being filmed! We're filming outside.
Looks like it'll get even colder this evening…
We'll do our best until night!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Our first single in 2 years is here, sorry for the wait
We've devoted ourselves to our work for the past 2 years, and realize that quite a long time has passed (sorry!)
We've made you wait a terribly long time.
The band's production work is going full-speed,
so please keep waiting a bit longer!
Today, we're taking our artist profile portraits.
It's been quite a while since we've photographed these, too.
We've been blessed with fine weather for picture-taking.
During breaks the members are searching for crayfish…
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Preparations to send out Fujiki presents are complete!
We worked until 2:00 AM.
We're sending out about this many.
They'll probably arrive after tomorrow.
Please look forward to it!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We're preparing to send out Fujiki presents
These are the worn out picks we excavated from Fujiwara's house.
We used lottery selection and will send these to the elementary school age and younger children who sent in questions to Fujiki (the column Fujiwara writes in the magazine B-PASS.)
Right now we're getting ready to send them out.
All you can see is his hand, but Fujiwara himself is the one making the preparations. He's also writing the addresses. I'm just watching and not helping.
To the elementary school age and younger children who sent in questions, please look forward to getting your letters!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Summer greetings!
Don't lose to the heat!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Long time no see
It's June, so 2009 is halfway over.
It's been a while since our last update, so we apologize.
We haven't told you what the band has been up to recently and we've only been doing Pontsuka (BUMP's weekly radio show,) Fujiki (Fujiwara's column,) and occasionally appearing on the radio, we're sorry! Many of you are probably worried about the band's future, so we're going to keep you updated from now on.
All of our recent activities have, as usual, been involved with making activities.
We have been aligning our schedules for studio work together, but each member has also been taking time to work on their own individual parts then coming back together as a group when the timing is right. That's how we've been spending our days.
As happens every time, we've made you all wait a long time, but BUMP OF CHICKEN has been doing just fine, and we'd be really happy if you looked forward to our next new song.
Since we've be focusing on music production this year, we won't be participating in any summer festivals or events. About a year has passed since since our tour last year, and we're sorry that our incubation plan has been continuing for a long time, but we hope you'll understand.
So at this time we don't have plans for any new announcements. We're a blank slate. We're just going to continue making progress quietly. Please just wait a bit longer.
See you later!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2009 New Year's update
It's February 2009. We haven't updated for a while. Please keep supporting us this year too.
The band has kept up our production work in the new year.
We're working hard to give you some exciting updates this year!
The picture below is of the Pontsuka (BUMP's radio show) 3-person version.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We're finishing work a bit early
It's been a while.
This will be our last band meeting this year.
We've been in a long incubation period and the members haven't gotten together much, so to have the four of them in one place feels fresh even to me, their manager (lol.)
Since summer began we haven't appeared in public, so this photo is the first of its kind in a long time.
Thank you to everyone who supported us this year.
We're going to start off next year with production activities aimed at a new release.
All of the members are working hard to bring you new songs as quickly as possible.
It's a bit early, but have a nice New Year everyone!!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fujiwara working alone
What was it like being the sole guest on SCHOOL OF LOCK!, Fujiwara?
It seems like you always get nervous when you're out of your element!
The photo below show what the show was like.
We haven't updated much recently, so we apologize to everyone who has been looking forward to hearing from us!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BUMP today
All four members got together for Pontsuka.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The current state of the members
Now that Rock in Japan is over, the members finally have some free time for the first time in a while, but yesterday Fujiwara and Masu climbed to the top of Mount Fuji.
I'm jealous…
I'll update again next time I have pictures!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Finishing the tour
The day after the tour, the whole staff went to Okinawa to play on the beach before returning home.
Since we started Zepp Tokyo, we've traveled from the snowbound Obihiro to the summery Okinawa. It's been the band's first long tour, and I think it was a good experience. It's all thanks to the people who came to the shows. Those of you who came to the shows, thank you very much!
The tour may be over, but we have Rock in Japan in August, so really we don't feel like the tour is over.
Well then, we'll see you in August in Hatachinaka!!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ginowan seaside theater park
It's the last performance of the tour, and our 42nd live performance, is in Okinawa! This tour began in January and has finally ended today.
Luckily we were blessed with good weather, and our first one-band outdoor show was a big success! Having nice weather in such a location was the best possible situation.
Thank you very much to everyone who attended!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
First live show in Seoul 2008
Probably many people heard, though we didn't advertise it in Japan, but we are having our usual Seoul live show in MELON-AX today!
Yesterday we arrived in Seoul and the members made their preparations. We'll open the doors very soon, since a lot of people have gathered!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Second live show in Seoul 2008
The live show ended well! The Korean fans were really excited as always. We're looking forward to our next show.
They're going to talk about this show a bit on a special NHK radio program, so please look forward to it.
After this we will have the final show of the tour in Okinawa!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Second day in Osaka Castle Hall
This was the last day of the tour performing in an arena!
After this, the members will get to have a short vacation. We'll be heading to Okinawa to uplift our spirits!
Thank you very much to everyone who attended!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
First day in Osaka Castle Hall
We've returned to Osaka Castle once again! But we probably won't be back here for a long time (cries.)
The tour is not yet over, but tomorrow is the last day we'll perform in an arena!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Second day in Saitama Super Arena
Thank you to everyone in the huge crowd who came today too!
This is our last show in the Kanto area (Eastern Japan.) Thank you again to everyone who came to our shows at Makuhari and Saitama!
To everyone in Osaka and Okinawa, please look forward to our last shows of the tour!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
First day in Saitama Super Arena
The first location of the tour was a super arena, it was huge. Everything here is very far apart, and we get lost.
And this building is seriously tall! Can you sort of get the feeling for how tall it is from this photo?
After the show, the members ate at a family restaurant and went home.
On our way to the restaurant we saw many people going home with goods from the show, but mysteriously there were no such people inside the restaurant.
The feeling of stopping the car at a family restaurant after a live show is a very nice feeling, I think.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shizuoka Ecopa Arena
We've visited Shizuoka a lot when campaigning in Hamamatsu, but this was our first live show there.
We arrived the previous day, had tea and fried eel (a Hamamatsu dish) and made all our preparations.
It was a nice location rich in nature! Thank you very much to everyone who attended!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Second day in Fukuoka Marine Messe
The second day.
Continuing the food jokes, after the first day's performance we were cooked in water!
Thanks to you the show today was a big success (lol.)
Thank you very much to everyone who attended!
And so how did the second day end?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Our second day in Fukuoka ended well!
At the end of the second day, we had a big gathering of the arena tour staff members! It was a huge party of about 80 people.
Unlike in live house tours, in arena tours the staff members don't really get to know each other well, but the party was a lot more lively than we expected.
Fujiwara gave a toast. Chama took this picture of Fujiwara at that time!!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
First Day in Fukuoka Marine Messe
We'll be in Fukuoka for 2 days!
We arrived yesterday, ate motsu nabe and then completed preparations for the next day. And our first live performance here was a great success.
Thank you very much to everyone who attended!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hiroshima Green Arena
Our first arena was this green arena, it's in a nice location in the center of town.
From the stage we could see the sign of Nishikido (a confectionary company) and it reminded us of our first performance in Hiroshima in Neopolis Hall.
Thank you very much to everyone who attended!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sapporo Kitayell
We arrived in Sapporo yesterday, and besides Chama the other three were incredibly late. They missed their first flight, and then the next flight had technical problems, so they were about 2 hours late… They finally arrived at the hotel around 10 o'clock.
Many people came to the show today, thank you so much! I've heard that the name of the arena, Kitayell, is related to the verb kitaeru (to train, to forge,) is that true?
Thank you very much to everyone who attended!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Niigata Toki Messe
Today was Fujiwara's birthday.
I think it was the first time we've done a show on one of the members' birthdays.
Fujiwara sang to his own accompaniment for an encore! It was a very rare thing. During the encore the members sat around studying their sleeves as shown in the photo below.
Thank you very much to everyone who attended!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
After the Niigata live show
We brought this cake out on the stage then took it backstage. The band members and the staff ate it all, leaving nothing behind.
Chama gave Fujiwara a picture he drew as a present. After that, the other members gave him their presents too. They're really good friends!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ishikawa Prefecture Industrial Exhibition Hall building #4
Whenever we come here, Kanazawa is such a nice city. The travel between the assembly hall and our lodgings was very nice.
Today the weather was good and we left the windows of the dressing room open!
Thank you very much to everyone who attended!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A day spent traveling to Ishikawa
The day before the show we entered Kanazawa. This photo was taken by Komatsu Airport.
Masukawa is looking straight at the camera (lol.)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Osaka Castle Hall
It's our first time in Osaka Castle Hall in about two years!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Second Day in Makuhari Messe
Today started off with some problems caused by the strong winds too,
but we managed to successfully pull off the show.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Starting the Homeship Satellite Tour
At last we are beginning our arena tour "Homeship Satellite."
We're starting at Japan Makuhari Messe.
What a huge arena!! What a huge difference from the arenas we went to for Homesick Satellite.
It's impossible to capture such a place with a digital camera now (haha.)
We delayed the start by one hour due to strong winds.
They predict transportation will be disrupted tomorrow as well.
We recommend that those who plan to attend tomorrow set out early!
Please try!!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gifu club-G
We've come to Gifu for our final tour location!
It's our second time in Gifu, but compared to the previous location this one's nearer to the town center,
and it's got a very different feeling.
We're not staying in Gifu this time
so we won't really have time to look around,
but with the excitement of the end of the tour
we made some fun memories in Gifu.
In about one month we had 22 live performances, so it feels long but short...
We've never visited so many different places at once like this either, so it was a good experience.
Personally, I hope we get to have another tour like this!
Let's meet again in our arena tour, "Homeship Satellite!!"
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ZEPP NAGOYA
It was our first time at ZEPP NAGOYA.
We traveled all the way from Nagasaki and arrived in Nagoya yesterday.
Our brief visit to such a large assembly hall was pretty amazing—
The tour ends tomorrow.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nagasaki NCC & Studio
It's our second time in Nagasaki, and our first time in an assembly hall there!
After the Oita show we explored the city.
After that we went to a ramen shop, and
that's when Masu joined us (haha.)
The other people in the shop congratulated the band on their 12 year anniversary!
The members and all the staff had completely forgotten...
And so we gave them a quick performance!
It was a laughable situation, but I think everyone had fun.
Thank you very much to everyone who came to the show!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oita T.O.P.S
It was our third time in Oita. It was also our third time in T.O.P.S!
In an unusual development, the band even gave an encore.
Thank you very much to everyone who came to the show!
Sendai Hot House Super Arena
We got here the day before, but two of us were amazingly late. Masu and Masukawa. That's rare for Masu.
As we were heading to the arena, we saw pine trees in the nearby woods with their powdery yellow pollen dancing in the wind for the first time.
Thank you very much to everyone who attended the show!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Second Day at Nippon Gaishi Hall
We're sad to leave Nagoya tomorrow, we come here so often!
Thank you very much to everyone who attended the show!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
First Day in Nippon Gaishi Hall
Lots of people always turn out to see us here, thank you!
Since our touring campaign began at the end of last year,
we've been coming to Nagoya frequently.
If we keep visiting so often, we're going to end up eating too much of your food!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MVA @ Budokan
We received three!
It's due to all you, thank you so much!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Second Day at Osaka Castle Hall
We had an encore to make up for yesterday (haha.)
Thank you very much to everyone who attended the show!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Osaka Castle Hall
It's our first time in Osaka Castle Hall in about two years!
Thank you very much to everyone who attended the show!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Second Day in Makuhari Messe
Today started off with some problems caused by the strong winds too,
but we managed to successfully pull off the show.
Thank you very much to everyone who attended the show!
After the show the members recorded a Pontsuka and rehearsed,
and bid farewell to our long-awaited and comparatively slower-paced days.
Next we'll be in Osaka. We'll be in Osaka Castle Hall on March 6th and 7th!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Starting the Homeship Satellite Tour
At last we are beginning our arena tour "Homeship Satellite."
We're starting at Japan Makuhari Messe.
What a huge arena!! What a huge difference from the arenas we went to for Homesick Satellite.
It's impossible to capture such a place with a digital camera now (haha.)
We delayed the start by one hour due to strong winds.
They predict transportation will be disrupted tomorrow as well.
We recommend that those who plan to attend tomorrow set out early!
Please try!!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gifu club-G
We've come to Gifu for our final tour location!
It's our second time in Gifu, but compared to the previous location this one's nearer to the town center,
and it's got a very different feeling.
We're not staying in Gifu this time
so we won't really have time to look around,
but with the excitement of the end of the tour
we made some fun memories in Gifu.
In about one month we had 22 live performances, so it feels long but short...
We've never visited so many different places at once like this either, so it was a good experience.
Personally, I hope we get to have another tour like this!
Let's meet again in our arena tour, "Homeship Satellite!!"
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ZEPP NAGOYA
It was our first time at ZEPP NAGOYA.
We traveled all the way from Nagasaki and arrived in Nagoya yesterday.
Our brief visit to such a large assembly hall was pretty amazing—
The tour ends tomorrow.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nagasaki NCC & Studio
It's our second time in Nagasaki, and our first time in an assembly hall there!
After the Oita show we explored the city.
After that we went to a ramen shop, and
that's when Masu joined us (haha.)
The other people in the shop congratulated the band on their 12 year anniversary!
The members and all the staff had completely forgotten...
And so we gave them a quick performance!
It was a laughable situation, but I think everyone had fun.
Thank you very much to everyone who came to the show!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oita T.O.P.S
It was our third time in Oita. It was also our third time in T.O.P.S!
In an unusual development, the band even gave an encore.
Thank you very much to everyone who came to the show!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kumamoto -> Oita
Today is a traveling day.
Along the way we stopped at Mt. Aso.
We were surprised at how much snow there was.
It was probably the last snowfall of this tour.
The volcano crater was amazing!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kumamono Battle Stage
We've now been to Kumamoto 3 times, and this was our first time in an assembly hall.
Thank you very much to everyone who came to the show!
After our performance in Kagoshima we went into Kumamoto at night,
but Masukawa disappeared and went to go eat ramen.
Recently Masukawa has been eating ramen at night at lot huh.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kagoshima Caparvo Hall
This is our second time in Kagoshima.
It's been roughly 3 years since we've been to Caparvo Hall.
The view from the roof was spectacular!
Thank you very much to everyone who came to the show!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yonago Belier
It's our first time in Yonago!
Thank you very much to everyone who came to the show!
After the show we stayed in Yonago. Tomorrow we don't have any shows,
so today the band was full of energy.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Okayama -> Yonago
After the show in Okayama, we moved on to Yonago.
We thought we wouldn't be seeing any more snow,
but then we did!
I wonder if we'll see more snow later?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Okayama CRAZYMAMA KINGDOM
It's our third time in Okayama, and our first time in this assembly hall!
We arrived in Okayama yesterday,
and the members went to their friend's udon shop.
Though they're doing live performances, recently Masu has been amazing!
Thank you very much to everyone who came to the show!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Moving from Kouchi -> Okayama
At the picture taking spot! [Seto Great Bridge]
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kouchi BAY5 SQUARE
This is surely our 4th time here.
Our schedule of performance locations is great!
Thank you very much to everyone who came to the show!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Matsuyama Community Center
This is our second time at this assembly hall.
We hurriedly picked the encore songs.
The variety of songs was interesting right!?
Thank you very much to everyone who came to the show!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Second Day in Kyoto
We went out after the show was done.
What Masu is drinking is Kyoto beer!
Thank you very much to everyone who came to the show!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kyoto KBS Hall
We're spending 2 days in Kyoto!!
Thank you very much to everyone who came to the show!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fukui Echo Hall
All the members had visited Fukui on our campaign,
but at that time half of them were late (sweats nervously.)
In the end the late ones could only stay in Fukui for one hour.
This was our first live performance in Fukui!!
Thank you very much to everyone who came to the show!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Toyama Black!!
Just as the MC promised, we got to eat it!
It was pitch black!!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Toyama Club Mairo
We visited here a few years ago on campaign,
and at that time we talked about having a live show here someday,
and now that has become reality!
Thank you very much to everyone who came to the show!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Koriyama Hip Shot
It was our third time in Hip Shot.
Even though it was our third time, it was our first time staying in Koriyama!
Thank you very much to everyone who came to the show!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morioka Club Change Wave
It was our first time in Morioka!!
We arrived the previous day and went with Chama to Kojima (haha) [Kojima is a large electronics store chain]
Thank you very much to everyone who came to the show!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Akita Club Swindle
It's our second time in Club Swindle since 2003.
The same graffiti was in the changing room from last time.
Thank you very much to everyone who came to the show!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aomori -> Akita
After the performance, we got on the bus heading for Akita~
Here we are at the Tsugaru picture taking spot. The snow was crazy!!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aomori Quarter
This was our third live show in Quarter.
Thank you very much to everyone who came to the show!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Asahiyama Zoo
The day after our performance at Asahiyama River we went to Asahiyama Zoo.
We stayed until closing time.
The penguins' stroll was so cute!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
After the Asahi River Show
The Asahi River Casino Drive is in a remodeled movie theater and has a nice atmosphere.
In the theater lobby that they use as a dressing room there is a pinball machine!!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Asahi River Show is Over!
This was the smallest show of the tour, of only 250 people!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Obihiro Show is Over!
This was our first time in a long while
doing a live show in a venue with a several-hundred person capacity.
About three years since the My Pegasus tour maybe!?
The crowd was so close!! They were so enthusiastic.
From here on our live house tour continues,
and we're really looking forward to it!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
UFO Capture [crane game]
They were pretty easy to pick up at first, but we didn't win anything.
Obocchama-kun...
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
First Time in Obihiro!
We arrived in Obihiro yesterday, and while walking about
we came across a UFO Catcher [crane game] in a department store in front of the station,
and here Chama is fighting a fierce battle with it!!
There was one thing that Chama really wanted to win and
take on tour with us...
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ZEPP Show is Over!
It was the start of our first tour in 2 years!
Thank you very much to everyone who came to the show!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Tour Starts Soon!
Everyone, happy New Year!
Right now we are in the middle of rehearsing for the tour!
In 3 days our first tour in a long time will start.
We are looking forward to meeting all of you!
And,
please continue to support BUMP OF CHICKEN this year too!
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Masukawa's Birthday
…has passed. Congrats!
We had a radio appearance last night,
and today we were also busy with work, so it's basically been a 2-day birthday.
We ordered 10 cakes! I think we ate enough for an entire year, don't you?
That's how I feel.
This year is nearly over.
Tomorrow, we will appear as guests on Shibuya and Yoyogi's Satellite Radio Studio in
a live broadcast! This is the last appearance in which we will meet you all this year!!
It's a Saturday, so if you're free you should come! Please come see us~
Hope to see you there.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Commercial Version is Ready!
It's been a while!
A few days ago the commercial version of "Orbital Period" was completed!!
This road has been very long (cries.)
We've made you all wait about 3 years, but please wait just a bit longer OK!
From 12/11 the members will be promoting the album
in Osaka and Nagoya.
They'll also be appearing at a public live broadcast, so if you have time
please come join us. Hope to see you there.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Lumtric Company
…Is where we went for maintenance on our 2 bases.
While we were waiting Chama played around on the other base.
Also we ordered a new base!
Takeda-san! We're looking forward to it!!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Was This What Totoro Looks Like?
Someone asked Fujiwara late at night to "Try to draw him"
and it seems as if he tried to draw him.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recording Continues
Recently we've only been able to go home in the morning.
It felt as if they'd been playing around on the drums for 3 hours at that time–
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Introducing the Instruments
While recording we use a whole mountain of different instruments,
and the ones here that we used to record a song a few days ago
somehow look pretty Beatles-ish.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What Happened to the Rubik's Cube
We played too much and it broke...
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chama's Birthday
Happy birthday Chama!
It was a big cake.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rubik's Cube
It's been a long time since we've had such a fun thing!
I think Fujiwara is a genius.
Everyone is well.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Summer Memories
The summer shows are over.
Thank you very much to everyone who came to see us.
On the road home from Rock in Japan we stopped at a rest stop and encountered this vending machine setup!!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A Portrait of Me
At lunchtime a while back when Fujiwara said, "Maybe we should get take-out,"
I declared a bit too forcefully, "No way is there take-out at this time of day!"
and then about 20 minutes later when take-out was actually delivered I felt a bit awkward,
so Chama kindly drew a portrait of me with his left hand.
If you see someone like this at the live show, it's me, Takahashi.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A New Single to Go on Sale!!
Today we recorded.
We are sorry that the announcement from Toy's Factory took so long.
Fujiwara said that for an apology I, Takahashi, must sing "天体観測"(Star Gazing)
seriously without smiling (haha) but that itself is enough of an apology!!
Instead of that, we would like to promise to announce something new within the year.
Please look forward to the new single!!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
And
Congrats on turning 28 Masu!!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Today's Scenery
Recently we are recording.
Here Fujiwara is playing around.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It's Been a While
It's been about a month since I've written…
I haven't updated. Sorry…
After the recent show in Fukuoka, I met Hiro for the first time in a while.
Hiro seemed quite well.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Just a Bit Longer Until the Show!
We've begun our show rehearsals!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What Are They Doing in This Photo?
It's been a while.
We have 6 live shows this summer! Can we make up for roughly a year and a half's worth of silence so easily?
The tour goods are also ready!
Please look forward to their release soon~.
Our summer shows will be at fests.
Maybe some of you have never been to a fest before,
but a fest is not a one-man show, but an event where you get to enjoy
various artists in a fun environment with many people.
We will continue to work hard.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Currently
In the previous diary entry we announced that we would also be touring in Yamanashi and Osaka.
We haven't done any shows for the last year and a half, and we haven't set up
our instruments on stage even once since the last tour,
so the members are really excited.
I haven't updated the diary in a long time.
Recently I haven't been able to take any photos that were suitable…
So again here is a photo from last summer's live shows (though this one was a rehearsal.)
There are lots of staff in the picture.
Recently the weather has become quite summery.
Maybe we will have some more news for you soon, maybe we won't!
The members are working hard so that we will.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Summer Festivals
Summer is here.
Recently we have been working in secret, a stark contrast to past summers.
This is a photo from summer 2 years ago, but I think we will soon see things
like this again and I'm excited!!
Today we appeared in Fukuoka HIGHER GROUND 2007.
Our thanks go out to Kyushu.
And also to those in Hokkaido and Hiroshima, thank you.
From here on we will be doing many performances in rapid succession.
We are looking forward to it!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fujiwara's Birthday
4/12 was Fujiwara's birthday.
We had a small party in the studio.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chama's Chivalry!
I think there are many ways in which chivalry can be shown (haha.)
To those of you who use instruments, when you are done please be this conscientious with them!
Wipe them clean nicely. Show them twice the love and you won't make a mistake!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A Scene of Recording
This is the first time in a while that all 4 have gotten together.
This month marks one year ago that the previous tour ended.
This year we'd like to meet all you fans.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strawberry Sandwiches
The season has come yet again.
[On the package it says "Fujiwara only" and there is another empty wrapper to the side haha.]
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recording
Recently we are recording the final versions.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recording
The band tidies up together.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Today is a Recording Day
Actually it's been a while since we last recorded. But it's going smoothly!
Today Chama is weak from a stomach virus
and is resting at home.
But so that recording could continue,
our leader Fujiwara-chan took over the bass part!
Isn't that a rare occurrence?
When Chama gets better he will re-record those parts.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Valentine's Day
Thank you very much to the person who so kindly sent us this!
Thank you on behalf of the members.
It's so wonderfully well-made that I want to show it to you.
What amazing skill it took to create this.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Happy New Year
I'm a bit late,
but please continue to support us this year as well!
We will continue on as we always have~
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thank You for Another Wonderful Year
On the 27th the band finished their work in the studio.
We took off early in preparation for our ambitious goals next year.
We didn't appear in public much this past year,
so we are very grateful to all of you who kept supporting us.
Thank you as always.
So that we can release a new album and also put on live shows
the members are going to work very hard this year.
So have a happy New Year's everyone!
Please continue to support BUMP OF CHICKEN next year as well!!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Masukawa's Misfortune
The instant he put on the new sneakers given to him by the Toy's Factory Staff
as a birthday present, Chama dropped cake on his old shoes.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Happy Birthday Masukawa
He is 27 years old
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Games Continue
But (haha)
The lower right one (hahaha)
Is Nobunaga!! (hahahaha)
It seems sort of OK but something is wrong!!
I'll let you imagine what the other drawings are supposed to be.
I wonder who drew these?
I think it was probably Masukawa.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Games
Here, at a time when we weren't appearing on any radio programs,
they are playing a game in which the others name any character
and you must try to see how accurately you can draw it.
It's really fun!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Hometown of Tears" Goes on Sale!
It has happened! It's been a whole year! We made you wait a long time.
You can see the entire robot photoshoot on the blog M+の written by Paripo.
We really made you wait a long time. m(- -)m
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Creating the Robot
I call it Robot, but really it doesn't have a name,
that's just what I call it for this diary's purposes.
It's pretty big actually.
That's why we are making it in the classroom of
a closed school that we borrowed.
The "正" characters written on the board behind them
are for each time Masu farted. As you can see, they
weren't done building even at this late hour.
By the time they were finished, there were many more "正" characters!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Album Art for "Hometown of Tears"
The album art of "Hometown of Tears" is up on the discography page,
why don't you go take a look?
The great robot that you see in the middle was actually hand-made by the members.
The reason we went to that home center in the previous entry's photo was to
buy supplies to make the robot.
We went out shopping with no plans for what we were going to make, so we
explored every corner of the store gathering supplies we might want to use
and took the entire day.
On a later day we began building it.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
All Four Appear
The other day we all suddenly went shopping at a home center
outside of town.
I know you are all patiently waiting for news, but
there will be an announcement in 10/10 (Tuesday.)
Please look forward to it!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Moving on from Masukawa…
Masu.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Hardest Part is Coming Up with a Title!
I don't have any talent for writing… Sorry.
It's very hard for me to write about the little things.
I couldn't think of anything much, but I hope you enjoy it (haha.)
"The Guild Puppet Show" has gone on sale, have you seen it?
The band is as usual immersed in production work.
There haven't been any big developments lately, and time is passing slooowly.
Here, see Masukawa smiling quietly by himself?
Our current mood is like this.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Summer is Over…
Everyone, how is it going?
Recently we are working to promote sales of "The Guild Puppet Show."
Today we recorded some of our comments to be broadcast on radio stations all across the country.
Soon we will upload the details on the Info page so you can check them out.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Good Morning, Good Morning~
For a while the above words spoken by Masu can be heard on the Bay FM site.
For details go to the News page and check out the Pontsuka site.
The sale of "The Guild Puppet Show" has been decided! Production took about 1 year.
The band has released quite an unusual production with many different voices,
and we'd be happy if you'd check it out.
Our main task of producing music has also been progressing smoothly!
We're forcing you to wait a long time, but we will have a new announcement soon
so please wait just a bit longer.
Thank you as always!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A Scene of Recording
Fujiwara does many things.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We Are Recording
They came early and picked up instruments,
and have been jamming for about an hour.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
And
After the finished Chama and Masu took the instuments apart.
The guy in the back is T-kun, not a member.
*T-kun's job is to help with the instruments
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The New Song
These three are singing the new song.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rehearsal
Fujiwara came with a new song today,
so here we see all four members together.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pontsuka
Thanks for all your support.
We're looking forward to our broadcasts this week and next week.
Test, test.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It Looks Pretty Cold in This Picture
It's the Old Picture Series!
Now is the middle of summer, but here is a picture from midwinter
in Fukuoka prefecture, Niitsuru when we were returning from our previous tour.
Recently the band hasn't gotten together much so I don't really have any news.
If I had to say something, it's that Masu's hair has gotten really short.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Live Show
There haven't been any real developments lately,
so I thought I'd post some old images.
This photo is from our first day of the Run Rabbit Run tour in Sapporo this year,
already half a year ago.
This is from the viewpoint of the stage staff!
From the audience the stage looks even narrower.
Now then, this year BUMP OF CHICKEN's name is not listed for the various music fests,
so you may have guessed correctly that we will not be participating in any fests
so that we may absorb ourselves in production work!
As of now we don't have plans for any public appearances,
but production work is going well, so please just wait a while longer
and look forward to the product.
Maybe we'll be able to make a new announcement soon!?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
And Then…
The snowglobe liquid got on Fujiwara.
It was sort of oily and had sparkles in it
so it'd be bad if it got on your clothes. That would be pretty upsetting.
Poor guy~
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
An Unexpected Occurrence
The staff's gift, a slowglobe (the thing with a glass globe
with water and an object inside) was promptly dropped and broken,
shattering all over the place, by Masu.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rehearsal
We are steadily making progress in our rehearsals for the new song.
The pictures I take don't really change much either,
cause every day looks like this.
Let's finish up the summer like this.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I Made You Wait a Long Time for an Update!
It's been about a month since I last wrote.
Lots of you have been asking when the next update was going to be, so I apologize.
Buuuut, I don't have any news!
I'm not what you'd call a diligent person but I never once forgot about this diary,
and although I do sometimes forget to upload photos I take right away, I do my best.
We have had few activities lately and my updates have also become fewer,
so I apologize and please forgive me.
But honestly, in the last 2 weeks the members have at most gotten together once,
so when I tried to obtain news for you all I realized that was impossible and I was just
repeating the same information, so I thought I'd take some pictures, but then I'd have to carry my camera around all the time like at meal times and break times and I don't want to do that. Many of you say you don't care, you just want to see the members doing
something, but they are not idols and I think that it's fine this way.
At any rate, don't think I'm not going to talk about the members at all in this
diary, because it may be irregular but I will be able to spontaneously show you the members sometimes. I think you understand.
This photo is from when we were recording last week.
I tried to take some pictures this week too, but the conditions were not right
so I will try again next week and upload those pictures, please look forward to them!
Well then, please look forward to the continuing Takahashi Diary from now on!!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recording
The members have all gotten together for the first time in a long time,
and are working in the studio right now.
During a break Masu and Chama are playing around.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hiro Again
That night after celebrating Fujiwara's birthday,
our story of Hiro in Seoul continues…
This time, he was obsessed with Kimura Takuya.
All he would talk about was Kimura Takuya…
Talking casually to his superiors about Kimura Takuya…
Afterward outside he halfheartedly tried to stop a taxi,
calling out "W, wait a sec!" about 10 times.
All we could do was laugh.
The same thing happened one late night in Daikanyama.
Though I was reluctant to reveal it, this has been more news on Hiro.
*I switched it with a better photo from the same day.
It seemed like a waste not to.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Continued
Once we returned to the hotel I had business with Fujiwara so I followed him
to his room, and another person with no business to be there also entered.
That person was Hiro.
Let me briefly introduce Hiro: he loves to watch other people, and is
a really great guy! That's how he looks at least. Sometimes he would just appear
during the tour. The members all say that he would always try his best to be
wherever the other members were.
So, as I was talking business with Fujiwara, Hiro was lying down and said,
"Takachu is probably serving drinks right now, let's go!"
And though it was Fujiwara's room, Hiro went and got a beer from the fridge,
opened it, and started to pour it into a glass like it was his own!
Fujiwara said something like, "Hey you!!" but Hiro just
replied with something like, "Don't sweat it!"
After that it seemed Hiro did not like the silence so he
started the fiddle with the remote control.
"There's nothing good on!" Hiro said.
We were abroad, so of course no programs would be interesting.
At that time Fujiwara and I were still in the middle discussing business…
Suddenly, the sound of a foreign person's heavy breathing came from the TV…
Hiro had pushed the button for paid programming!!
Fujiwara said, "You! When we check out of the hotel it's gonna look like I was watching porn!" or something like that.
Indeed. It would be tough to pay the paid programming bill to the lady at the front desk in the morning, we wouldn't be able to even look at her.
Hiro said something like, "Ahaha, are you embarrassed by that!"
and opened another can of beer from the fridge!
Fujiwara said, "You've gotta put this in the diary OK!"
and that's how I came to write this.
I even took this photo with the paid programming playing in the back for this entry.
At check out Fujiwara made Hiro pay for the program,
though Hiro seemed as if he'd forgotten all about it.
*Thanks to this story, I've written my
longest diary entry ever. I'm so happy!!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
After the Seoul Show…
We started off by going to a huge festival.
All the members and staff chugged glasses of beer with added
shochu (called alcohol bombing in China.)
Even Chama and Fujiwara who don't drink joined in!
Masu also had some makgeolli and other things at the hotel
he had been saving and we all drank them together.
In the end it was a pretty large bill (I was really shocked!)
and we all returned to the hotel.
On nice days spent drinking, this guy (the one with his thumb up)
totally transforms. (I was drunk too so the picture is shaky, sorry.)
After we got back to the hotel, this guy got up to some other interesting things,
please look forward to hearing about them next time!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Live in Seoul
Many more people than last time came to
our live show at the event hall today!
Today's Seoul show was a long one.
I always say this, but Korean fans are enthusiastic!
They were jostling about from the time we were on the bus til we got on stage!
They had amazing energy.
We had our real tour finale at a yakiniku [fried meat] shop.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LIVE IN SEOUL
Today we had a live show in Seoul.
We didn't advertise it in Japan
so I'm sure some people are surprised!
Here many Korean fans are lined up to see us.
We are about to open the doors!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pontsuka
The first thing we did after the tour was to record a Pontsuka.
The tour was over so we thought we'd rest a bit, but we
still don't have time to relax.
Now we will be going to Seoul!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Last Day in Yoyogi
We have finished rehearsing and are about to open the concert hall doors.
Our tour that seemed long but short ends today.
Those who can make it, please come and enjoy to your heart's content!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In the Middle of Rehearsing
We are in the middle of rehearsing for our Yoyogi show!
During today's rehearsals we discovered that Fujiwara loves strawberry sandwiches!
He always eats them before rehearsal.
We found that the members and staff all like strawberry sandwiches quite a lot.
I've never really had a hobby or anything I prefer to eat,
but I really want to eat the sandwich that Fujiwara
left over for later!!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Our Tour Performances are Done!
We're finished.
Thank you very much to everyone who attended the shows!
This tour was over in the blink of an eye.
Now we only have to prepare for the Yoyogi show, so the
members get to rest a little bit.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In Osaka
Hello! Today is our second day in Osaka Castle Hall.
Right now the members are in the middle of rehearsing!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Live House Tour Is Over
The shows in Sapporo, Sendai, and Niigata went we and we have returned to Tokyo.
Thank you to everyone who came!
Right now BUMP OF CHICKEN is preparing for our arena tour.
We hope to see you this weekend at Makuhari!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Spent Moving to Niigata
After we completed our two days in Sendai, we took our bus to Niigata.
We ate at the Adatara rest area and took at toilet break at the Niitsuru picture area.
The staff all marveled at the snow and how cold it was,
but the members enjoyed themselves outside.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Today's the First Day of the Tour!
I'm a bit late, but happy New Year!
Please continue to support BUMP OF CHICKEN this year too.
Today is our first day of the tour, at ZEPP SAPPORO.
Yesterday we arrived in Sapporo,
and although due to snow we thought we might not be able to land
we were only delayed one hour and arrived safely.
We are done with rehearsals, the show has started,
and it's a full house!
Please look forward to our future shows!
Please enjoy a photo of today's rehearsal.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BOC Is Well
It's gotten pretty cold, hasn't it.
Right now the members haven't caught colds and are pretty calm.
Please be careful not to catch the flu.
Also, tickets for all shows of Run Rabbit Run have SOLD OUT!
Thank you so much!
We are looking forward to meeting all the fans next year.
We've also decided to add shows in Tokyo and Fukuoka!
Take advantage of this chance if you weren't able to get tickets for the other shows.
Recently we've finally ended our promotion activities.
So we're starting our tour rehearsals.
We had some new types of exposure during this promotion period, including in Guitar Magazine.
Fujiwara is featured on the cover, and in an article about him you can see a rare glimpse of Fujiwara the guitarist as opposed to his usual self.
We were also featured in the Japanese edition of Big Issue.
They published an interview with the members, but you cannot buy it in bookstores.
For details please check out the INFO page.
We have also begun broadcasting the Karma music video,
so if you haven't seen it yet please check it out!
I'll end this diary with a behind the scenes picture from our filming.
The place was transformed to make the setting for the film like this!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Supernova/Karma Is on Sale!
Thank you to those who have already heard the songs!
To those who haven't, I hope you will!
We're a bit late, but to go along with the release we have changed
the page design of the site like we did with Planetarium.
What do you think? We hope you like it.
Today we are filming the Karma music video.
We started early this morning and plan to finish tomorrow morning at 5 AM!
And then we will gather again in the afternoon!!
How long will our energy last? Let's all tdo our best.
Also, on Saturday two days from now we will be live guests
in TOKYO FM's Spain Hill Studio.
It's a Saturday, so if you have the opportunity please try to be there.
Well then, here you can see Fujiwara and Masukawa who are still doing well.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Visiting the Lumtric Company
The Lumtric Company
is the company that manufactures the SONIC brand guitars used by Chama and Fujiwara,
owned by guitar builder Takeda Yutaka (the person in the photo.)
Usually he sees one person at a time,
but yesterday the timing was good and three members were there
so we took a commemorative picture with Mr. Takeda.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It's Nice Weather Today
Hello.
Today, (Friday) 11/4, Tokyo has been blessed with fine weather,
a perfect day for collecting material for an article.
We're preparing for our article in B-PASS today.
The Supernova music video will be done soon.
Please look forward to it~
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Birthday Present
For Chama's birthday, Fujiwara gave him a bass!
It's Hofner violin bass.
It's famous for being used by Paul McCartney.
On that day by chance Chama had brought the Beatles' "The Blue Album"
with him intending to play the songs. What good timing!!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We've Announced the Tour
We've made you wait a really long time! But we've announced the new tour.
We're trying this for the first time as an experiment, and I'm sure
that some of you were surprised that we're going to be touring western Japan.
Even though the scope of the concert halls is different we aren't going to change
anything about how we perform, so don't worry.
Please look forward to the tour!
The two people in the photo who aren't the members played the children
in the Tentai Kansoku (Star Gazing) music video.
They've grown up!
Can you tell which of them was just playing the part of a child?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Supernova Music Video Filming Has Ended
We're done!
Thank you so much to everyone who participated as an extra!
Filming was hard, but we're very grateful to you all for persevering.
To those who didn't participate, please look forward to the music video.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We're Filming the Music Video Today
Soon filming will commence!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recording a Chorus
Everyone is recording together.
It's quite a rare event.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Happy Birthday Chama!
Congrats on turning 26! Here we were in the middle of recording.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cajon
We got a Pearl Boom Box Cajon.
It's that thing Fujiwara is sitting on and playing, a percussion instrument.
Masu is joining in and playing too.
It's a simple and fun instrument.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We're Recording
…And besides that we're doing a lot more too.
We're really just very busy.
We've begun regularly appearing on radio too.
Did you hear our first broadcast?
Please look forward to the next one as well.
We will have more news for you soon.
Please look forward to that.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Long Time No See
Summer is over, did everyone enjoy it?
It's been over a week since our last summer event in Okinawa ended,
but because of typhoons our instruments still have not arrived back in Tokyo!!
But still the members have continued work.
Please look forward to our next announcement soon~
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nagoya Show
I think it was a pretty nice situation for a show.
The show took place in the dark so enjoy this photo of the pre-rehearsal.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sorry for Not Updating
Happy birthday Masu!!
Our 8/10 Planetarium Live show in Nagoya was Masu's birthday.
I took this photo quickly before we left.
Masukawa is not there because he was late (he is late most of the time recently…)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We've Replenished Our HP!
It was sudden, but we got to replenish our HP.
This may cause trouble in the future, but in the meantime
we will continue to improve.
Well then, enjoy seeing our progress on the music video!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Filming the Music Video
A shot of all four members in the studio.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recently Masu…
Is playing with a yo-yo. All the time. He is in service to the string.
The filming of the Planetarium music video ended yesterday.
Here were were filming at the Atsugi Children's Science Museum's planetarium.
He will continue to be like this. Well then!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chama Cut His Hair
This short haircut feels kind of nostalgic somehow.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A Scene of Recording 2
Here is Fujiwara.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A Scene of Recording
Recording went well.
We've made progress, so have a photo from the recording.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Masukawa and Masu
We've finished our recording and sound work.
Masu is doing research on his laptop.
His search results are…
Squid do not have bones!
The things they have that look like bones are not bones,
did you know that?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The First Shot of All Four in a While
The other day when they were writing what they were going to say at a summer fest
they had all four gathered together so I snapped this picture.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recording 2
Chama got a new bass!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We Are Recording
Here we are recording for Planetarium, which goes on sale on 7/21.
It's going well! Please look forward to it!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recording the Pontsuka Trip
In a previous entry I said that if we would not be be recording a Pontsuka in the studio due to being too busy that we would record our trips and show you that, so here is a photo from a break in rehearsal the other day.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BUMP Today
Today we are rehearsing. This is how things have looked lately.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chama @ Shibuya
We didn't go to see a movie, we were just working as usual.
For some reason I felt like posting it.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pontsuka
Our only regular radio presence, Pontsuka is basically recorded in the studio like this.
How about we try recording ourselves in various places as we go on scheduled trips, guerrilla-style?
Lots of people do this lately.
It would probably be sort of a rough recording, but what do you think?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Long Time No See! In the Takahashi Diary
Everyone, we've made you wait a long time.
We resumed activities at the start of April.
Really, we've taken a long break since this year started, the longest we've ever had.
Since we made you wait so long it would be great if we could give you a lot of news,
I think.
We've decided to go to Summer Fest Hiroshima SET STOCK and Hitachinaka ROCK IN JAPAN FESTIVAL!
These are our first live shows this year so we hope to see you there.
Also, we are finishing a number of new songs!
Now we are rehearsing them.
The picture below is from before we recorded the final version, when we
had recorded another song we were done practicing. Fujiwara is doing something with a guitar.
Lately we are busy doing things like this and working hard.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Happy New Year
Happy New Year everyone.
Please continue to support BUMP OF CHICKEN this year too.
We'll let you know about the band's activities for the year when we decide.
Please look forward to it.
This photo was taken after rehearsing for our two days of shows at Makuhari.
A few hours after this photo was taken they gave a wonderful show, then moved
on to give a successful show in Seoul, Korea to finish up the year 2004.
Right now we are taking a break to rest our bodies.
It might become a long vacation, but don't worry.
We are diligently recording our regular radio show PONTSUKA!
Please check it out if you're interested in what the members are doing.
Well then, please keep supporting us in this new year!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Chicken George Tour Starts in Kobe!
This is from 7:30 PM.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Today We're in Kumamoto! We're Doing a Sound Check
It's 3:50 PM and Masu is doing a sound check. Fujiwara is playing with a kendama.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Kumamoto Show Has Begun!
It's 7:30 PM and they've started to play that song from FLAME VEIN-
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In the Middle of the Kagoshima Show!!
That's where we are. Everyone's excited for our first show in Kagoshima!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Second Live Update from Kagoshima!
It's 8:15 PM and the show has reached it climax!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Long Time No See
April 12th was Fujiwara's birthday.
Here is a scene from when we were all celebrating together.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
R.A. Has Gone on Sale
Hello, today R.A. goes on sale!
They have been appearing in stores since yesterday,
so there are a lot of BBS postings [BBS or the bulletin board system is an old style way of sharing text and such by computer, not common anymore… I had to look this up!] about this already.
Recently there hasn't been much news about the band to update about,
I hope you will keep waiting for us patiently. m(_ _)m
Well then, please enjoy this image.
(Is it funny? Perhaps it is available for a limited time only…)
[In the image Masu is saying, "R.A. goes on sale today!!"]
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recording Diary
I think we're nearly done.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Congrats on the 10th Entry! This is the Rehearsal Diary.
They are drinking...
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recording Diary
During breaks they play around and jam.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recent Trouble
Hello.
It's the first update in a while. Sorry it has such a bad name.
The trouble the title is referring to is that a lot of fake
articles about the members exist on the Internet.
We know about this because of fan letters sent to Longfellow,
thank you to the many faithful people who sent those.
All of you were either mad or sad or apologizing to us.
We do not recognize any member chats or BBS postings, or anything that is not
on the official site homepage or on TV or radio that you can directly connect
with the members.
We cannot prove it, but anything else claiming to be written by the members is fake.
That's all, thank you very much for reading.
I'll upload a photo later. Well then!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recording 4
Hello~.
Now we've seen all the members.
Here is Masukawa.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recording 3
It's been a while.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recording 2
A picture of Masu.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recording Is Going Well
Hello everyone.
There is where everything takes place.
To be continued...
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Who Was That Yesterday?
The answer is this person!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Still in Production Work
Hello~.
The Chickens are as always secluded away.
So we don't really have any big developments.
Due to various circumstances I still don't have many photos to upload,
Please enjoy this fixed-point camera style photo.
Sorry it's a boring picture~
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Happy New Year
The homepage has been updated,
and the Super Ghostlike Irregular Updates Corner which ended as the "Me I'm Back" Corner
has been reborn as this page!
Hello everyone
and nice to meet you, I'm the manager Takahashi.
How was your New Year's?
For new people. The intent of this "Takahashi Diary" is
for me, who is the closest to the band in daily activities,
to casually tell you about what their continuing circumstances are.
To reflect on the previous corner we had here! We've redone the system so it's easy to update!
All that's left is for me to do my best!
…Or so I say since my laptop has not been fixed yet,
and I'm not used to this new system etc…
But those are excuses. I'll do my best! I will.
Now I've said all that and introduced myself, so this concludes my first entry.
Please love this corner forever~.
Okayama -> Yonago
After the show in Okayama, we moved on to Yonago.
We thought we wouldn't be seeing any more snow,
but then we did!
I wonder if we'll see more snow later?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Okayama CRAZYMAMA KINGDOM
It's our third time in Okayama, and our first time in this assembly hall!
We arrived in Okayama yesterday,
and the members went to their friend's udon shop.
Though they're doing live performances, recently Masu has been amazing!
Thank you very much to everyone who came to the show!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Moving from Kouchi -> Okayama
At the picture taking spot! [Seto Great Bridge]
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kouchi BAY5 SQUARE
This is surely our 4th time here.
Our schedule of performance locations is great!
Thank you very much to everyone who came to the show!
Matsuyama Community Center
This is our second time at this assembly hall.
We hurriedly picked the encore songs.
The variety of songs was interesting right!?
Thank you very much to everyone who came to the show!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Second Day in Kyoto
We went out after the show was done.
What Masu is drinking is Kyoto beer!
Thank you very much to everyone who came to the show!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kyoto KBS Hall
We're spending 2 days in Kyoto!!
Thank you very much to everyone who came to the show!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fukui Echo Hall
All the members had visited Fukui on our campaign,
but at that time half of them were late (sweats nervously.)
In the end the late ones could only stay in Fukui for one hour.
This was our first live performance in Fukui!!
Thank you very much to everyone who came to the show!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Toyama Black!!
Just as the MC promised, we got to eat it!
It was pitch black!!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Toyama Club Mairo
We visited here a few years ago on campaign,
and at that time we talked about having a live show here someday,
and now that has become reality!
Thank you very much to everyone who came to the show!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Koriyama Hip Shot
It was our third time in Hip Shot.
Even though it was our third time, it was our first time staying in Koriyama!
Thank you very much to everyone who came to the show!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morioka Club Change Wave
It was our first time in Morioka!!
We arrived the previous day and went with Chama to Kojima (haha) [Kojima is a large electronics store chain]
Thank you very much to everyone who came to the show!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Akita Club Swindle
It's our second time in Club Swindle since 2003.
The same graffiti was in the changing room from last time.
Thank you very much to everyone who came to the show!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aomori -> Akita
After the performance, we got on the bus heading for Akita~
Here we are at the Tsugaru picture taking spot. The snow was crazy!!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aomori Quarter
This was our third live show in Quarter.
Thank you very much to everyone who came to the show!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Asahiyama Zoo
The day after our performance at Asahiyama River we went to Asahiyama Zoo.
We stayed until closing time.
The penguins' stroll was so cute!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
After the Asahi River Show
The Asahi River Casino Drive is in a remodeled movie theater and has a nice atmosphere.
In the theater lobby that they use as a dressing room there is a pinball machine!!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Asahi River Show is Over!
This was the smallest show of the tour, of only 250 people!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Obihiro Show is Over!
This was our first time in a long while
doing a live show in a venue with a several-hundred person capacity.
About three years since the My Pegasus tour maybe!?
The crowd was so close!! They were so enthusiastic.
From here on our live house tour continues,
and we're really looking forward to it!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
UFO Capture [crane game]
They were pretty easy to pick up at first, but we didn't win anything.
Obocchama-kun...
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
First Time in Obihiro!
We arrived in Obihiro yesterday, and while walking about
we came across a UFO Catcher [crane game] in a department store in front of the station,
and here Chama is fighting a fierce battle with it!!
There was one thing that Chama really wanted to win and
take on tour with us...
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ZEPP Show is Over!
It was the start of our first tour in 2 years!
Thank you very much to everyone who came to the show!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Tour Starts Soon!
Everyone, happy New Year!
Right now we are in the middle of rehearsing for the tour!
In 3 days our first tour in a long time will start.
We are looking forward to meeting all of you!
And,
please continue to support BUMP OF CHICKEN this year too!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Masukawa's Birthday
…has passed. Congrats!
We had a radio appearance last night,
and today we were also busy with work, so it's basically been a 2-day birthday.
We ordered 10 cakes! I think we ate enough for an entire year, don't you?
That's how I feel.
This year is nearly over.
Tomorrow, we will appear as guests on Shibuya and Yoyogi's Satellite Radio Studio in
a live broadcast! This is the last appearance in which we will meet you all this year!!
It's a Saturday, so if you're free you should come! Please come see us~
Hope to see you there.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Commercial Version is Ready!
It's been a while!
A few days ago the commercial version of "Orbital Period" was completed!!
This road has been very long (cries.)
We've made you all wait about 3 years, but please wait just a bit longer OK!
From 12/11 the members will be promoting the album
in Osaka and Nagoya.
They'll also be appearing at a public live broadcast, so if you have time
please come join us. Hope to see you there.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Lumtric Company
…Is where we went for maintenance on our 2 bases.
While we were waiting Chama played around on the other base.
Also we ordered a new base!
Takeda-san! We're looking forward to it!!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Was This What Totoro Looks Like?
Someone asked Fujiwara late at night to "Try to draw him"
and it seems as if he tried to draw him.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recording Continues
Recently we've only been able to go home in the morning.
It felt as if they'd been playing around on the drums for 3 hours at that time–
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Introducing the Instruments
While recording we use a whole mountain of different instruments,
and the ones here that we used to record a song a few days ago
somehow look pretty Beatles-ish.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What Happened to the Rubik's Cube
We played too much and it broke...
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chama's Birthday
Happy birthday Chama!
It was a big cake.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rubik's Cube
It's been a long time since we've had such a fun thing!
I think Fujiwara is a genius.
Everyone is well.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Summer Memories
The summer shows are over.
Thank you very much to everyone who came to see us.
On the road home from Rock in Japan we stopped at a rest stop and encountered this vending machine setup!!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A Portrait of Me
At lunchtime a while back when Fujiwara said, "Maybe we should get take-out,"
I declared a bit too forcefully, "No way is there take-out at this time of day!"
and then about 20 minutes later when take-out was actually delivered I felt a bit awkward,
so Chama kindly drew a portrait of me with his left hand.
If you see someone like this at the live show, it's me, Takahashi.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A New Single to Go on Sale!!
Today we recorded.
We are sorry that the announcement from Toy's Factory took so long.
Fujiwara said that for an apology I, Takahashi, must sing "天体観測"(Star Gazing)
seriously without smiling (haha) but that itself is enough of an apology!!
Instead of that, we would like to promise to announce something new within the year.
Please look forward to the new single!!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
And
Congrats on turning 28 Masu!!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Today's Scenery
Recently we are recording.
Here Fujiwara is playing around.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It's Been a While
It's been about a month since I've written…
I haven't updated. Sorry…
After the recent show in Fukuoka, I met Hiro for the first time in a while.
Hiro seemed quite well.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Just a Bit Longer Until the Show!
We've begun our show rehearsals!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What Are They Doing in This Photo?
It's been a while.
We have 6 live shows this summer! Can we make up for roughly a year and a half's worth of silence so easily?
The tour goods are also ready!
Please look forward to their release soon~.
Our summer shows will be at fests.
Maybe some of you have never been to a fest before,
but a fest is not a one-man show, but an event where you get to enjoy
various artists in a fun environment with many people.
We will continue to work hard.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Currently
In the previous diary entry we announced that we would also be touring in Yamanashi and Osaka.
We haven't done any shows for the last year and a half, and we haven't set up
our instruments on stage even once since the last tour,
so the members are really excited.
I haven't updated the diary in a long time.
Recently I haven't been able to take any photos that were suitable…
So again here is a photo from last summer's live shows (though this one was a rehearsal.)
There are lots of staff in the picture.
Recently the weather has become quite summery.
Maybe we will have some more news for you soon, maybe we won't!
The members are working hard so that we will.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Summer Festivals
Summer is here.
Recently we have been working in secret, a stark contrast to past summers.
This is a photo from summer 2 years ago, but I think we will soon see things
like this again and I'm excited!!
Today we appeared in Fukuoka HIGHER GROUND 2007.
Our thanks go out to Kyushu.
And also to those in Hokkaido and Hiroshima, thank you.
From here on we will be doing many performances in rapid succession.
We are looking forward to it!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fujiwara's Birthday
4/12 was Fujiwara's birthday.
We had a small party in the studio.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chama's Chivalry!
I think there are many ways in which chivalry can be shown (haha.)
To those of you who use instruments, when you are done please be this conscientious with them!
Wipe them clean nicely. Show them twice the love and you won't make a mistake!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A Scene of Recording
This is the first time in a while that all 4 have gotten together.
This month marks one year ago that the previous tour ended.
This year we'd like to meet all you fans.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strawberry Sandwiches
The season has come yet again.
[On the package it says "Fujiwara only" and there is another empty wrapper to the side haha.]
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recording
Recently we are recording the final versions.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recording
The band tidies up together.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Today is a Recording Day
Actually it's been a while since we last recorded. But it's going smoothly!
Today Chama is weak from a stomach virus
and is resting at home.
But so that recording could continue,
our leader Fujiwara-chan took over the bass part!
Isn't that a rare occurrence?
When Chama gets better he will re-record those parts.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Valentine's Day
Thank you very much to the person who so kindly sent us this!
Thank you on behalf of the members.
It's so wonderfully well-made that I want to show it to you.
What amazing skill it took to create this.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Happy New Year
I'm a bit late,
but please continue to support us this year as well!
We will continue on as we always have~
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thank You for Another Wonderful Year
On the 27th the band finished their work in the studio.
We took off early in preparation for our ambitious goals next year.
We didn't appear in public much this past year,
so we are very grateful to all of you who kept supporting us.
Thank you as always.
So that we can release a new album and also put on live shows
the members are going to work very hard this year.
So have a happy New Year's everyone!
Please continue to support BUMP OF CHICKEN next year as well!!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Masukawa's Misfortune
The instant he put on the new sneakers given to him by the Toy's Factory Staff
as a birthday present, Chama dropped cake on his old shoes.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Happy Birthday Masukawa
He is 27 years old
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Games Continue
But (haha)
The lower right one (hahaha)
Is Nobunaga!! (hahahaha)
It seems sort of OK but something is wrong!!
I'll let you imagine what the other drawings are supposed to be.
I wonder who drew these?
I think it was probably Masukawa.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Games
Here, at a time when we weren't appearing on any radio programs,
they are playing a game in which the others name any character
and you must try to see how accurately you can draw it.
It's really fun!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Hometown of Tears" Goes on Sale!
It has happened! It's been a whole year! We made you wait a long time.
You can see the entire robot photoshoot on the blog M+の written by Paripo.
We really made you wait a long time. m(- -)m
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Creating the Robot
I call it Robot, but really it doesn't have a name,
that's just what I call it for this diary's purposes.
It's pretty big actually.
That's why we are making it in the classroom of
a closed school that we borrowed.
The "正" characters written on the board behind them
are for each time Masu farted. As you can see, they
weren't done building even at this late hour.
By the time they were finished, there were many more "正" characters!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Album Art for "Hometown of Tears"
The album art of "Hometown of Tears" is up on the discography page,
why don't you go take a look?
The great robot that you see in the middle was actually hand-made by the members.
The reason we went to that home center in the previous entry's photo was to
buy supplies to make the robot.
We went out shopping with no plans for what we were going to make, so we
explored every corner of the store gathering supplies we might want to use
and took the entire day.
On a later day we began building it.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
All Four Appear
The other day we all suddenly went shopping at a home center
outside of town.
I know you are all patiently waiting for news, but
there will be an announcement in 10/10 (Tuesday.)
Please look forward to it!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Moving on from Masukawa…
Masu.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Hardest Part is Coming Up with a Title!
I don't have any talent for writing… Sorry.
It's very hard for me to write about the little things.
I couldn't think of anything much, but I hope you enjoy it (haha.)
"The Guild Puppet Show" has gone on sale, have you seen it?
The band is as usual immersed in production work.
There haven't been any big developments lately, and time is passing slooowly.
Here, see Masukawa smiling quietly by himself?
Our current mood is like this.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Summer is Over…
Everyone, how is it going?
Recently we are working to promote sales of "The Guild Puppet Show."
Today we recorded some of our comments to be broadcast on radio stations all across the country.
Soon we will upload the details on the Info page so you can check them out.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Good Morning, Good Morning~
For a while the above words spoken by Masu can be heard on the Bay FM site.
For details go to the News page and check out the Pontsuka site.
The sale of "The Guild Puppet Show" has been decided! Production took about 1 year.
The band has released quite an unusual production with many different voices,
and we'd be happy if you'd check it out.
Our main task of producing music has also been progressing smoothly!
We're forcing you to wait a long time, but we will have a new announcement soon
so please wait just a bit longer.
Thank you as always!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A Scene of Recording
Fujiwara does many things.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We Are Recording
They came early and picked up instruments,
and have been jamming for about an hour.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
And
After the finished Chama and Masu took the instuments apart.
The guy in the back is T-kun, not a member.
*T-kun's job is to help with the instruments
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The New Song
These three are singing the new song.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rehearsal
Fujiwara came with a new song today,
so here we see all four members together.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pontsuka
Thanks for all your support.
We're looking forward to our broadcasts this week and next week.
Test, test.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It Looks Pretty Cold in This Picture
It's the Old Picture Series!
Now is the middle of summer, but here is a picture from midwinter
in Fukuoka prefecture, Niitsuru when we were returning from our previous tour.
Recently the band hasn't gotten together much so I don't really have any news.
If I had to say something, it's that Masu's hair has gotten really short.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Live Show
There haven't been any real developments lately,
so I thought I'd post some old images.
This photo is from our first day of the Run Rabbit Run tour in Sapporo this year,
already half a year ago.
This is from the viewpoint of the stage staff!
From the audience the stage looks even narrower.
Now then, this year BUMP OF CHICKEN's name is not listed for the various music fests,
so you may have guessed correctly that we will not be participating in any fests
so that we may absorb ourselves in production work!
As of now we don't have plans for any public appearances,
but production work is going well, so please just wait a while longer
and look forward to the product.
Maybe we'll be able to make a new announcement soon!?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
And Then…
The snowglobe liquid got on Fujiwara.
It was sort of oily and had sparkles in it
so it'd be bad if it got on your clothes. That would be pretty upsetting.
Poor guy~
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
An Unexpected Occurrence
The staff's gift, a slowglobe (the thing with a glass globe
with water and an object inside) was promptly dropped and broken,
shattering all over the place, by Masu.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rehearsal
We are steadily making progress in our rehearsals for the new song.
The pictures I take don't really change much either,
cause every day looks like this.
Let's finish up the summer like this.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I Made You Wait a Long Time for an Update!
It's been about a month since I last wrote.
Lots of you have been asking when the next update was going to be, so I apologize.
Buuuut, I don't have any news!
I'm not what you'd call a diligent person but I never once forgot about this diary,
and although I do sometimes forget to upload photos I take right away, I do my best.
We have had few activities lately and my updates have also become fewer,
so I apologize and please forgive me.
But honestly, in the last 2 weeks the members have at most gotten together once,
so when I tried to obtain news for you all I realized that was impossible and I was just
repeating the same information, so I thought I'd take some pictures, but then I'd have to carry my camera around all the time like at meal times and break times and I don't want to do that. Many of you say you don't care, you just want to see the members doing
something, but they are not idols and I think that it's fine this way.
At any rate, don't think I'm not going to talk about the members at all in this
diary, because it may be irregular but I will be able to spontaneously show you the members sometimes. I think you understand.
This photo is from when we were recording last week.
I tried to take some pictures this week too, but the conditions were not right
so I will try again next week and upload those pictures, please look forward to them!
Well then, please look forward to the continuing Takahashi Diary from now on!!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recording
The members have all gotten together for the first time in a long time,
and are working in the studio right now.
During a break Masu and Chama are playing around.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hiro Again
That night after celebrating Fujiwara's birthday,
our story of Hiro in Seoul continues…
This time, he was obsessed with Kimura Takuya.
All he would talk about was Kimura Takuya…
Talking casually to his superiors about Kimura Takuya…
Afterward outside he halfheartedly tried to stop a taxi,
calling out "W, wait a sec!" about 10 times.
All we could do was laugh.
The same thing happened one late night in Daikanyama.
Though I was reluctant to reveal it, this has been more news on Hiro.
*I switched it with a better photo from the same day.
It seemed like a waste not to.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Continued
Once we returned to the hotel I had business with Fujiwara so I followed him
to his room, and another person with no business to be there also entered.
That person was Hiro.
Let me briefly introduce Hiro: he loves to watch other people, and is
a really great guy! That's how he looks at least. Sometimes he would just appear
during the tour. The members all say that he would always try his best to be
wherever the other members were.
So, as I was talking business with Fujiwara, Hiro was lying down and said,
"Takachu is probably serving drinks right now, let's go!"
And though it was Fujiwara's room, Hiro went and got a beer from the fridge,
opened it, and started to pour it into a glass like it was his own!
Fujiwara said something like, "Hey you!!" but Hiro just
replied with something like, "Don't sweat it!"
After that it seemed Hiro did not like the silence so he
started the fiddle with the remote control.
"There's nothing good on!" Hiro said.
We were abroad, so of course no programs would be interesting.
At that time Fujiwara and I were still in the middle discussing business…
Suddenly, the sound of a foreign person's heavy breathing came from the TV…
Hiro had pushed the button for paid programming!!
Fujiwara said, "You! When we check out of the hotel it's gonna look like I was watching porn!" or something like that.
Indeed. It would be tough to pay the paid programming bill to the lady at the front desk in the morning, we wouldn't be able to even look at her.
Hiro said something like, "Ahaha, are you embarrassed by that!"
and opened another can of beer from the fridge!
Fujiwara said, "You've gotta put this in the diary OK!"
and that's how I came to write this.
I even took this photo with the paid programming playing in the back for this entry.
At check out Fujiwara made Hiro pay for the program,
though Hiro seemed as if he'd forgotten all about it.
*Thanks to this story, I've written my
longest diary entry ever. I'm so happy!!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
After the Seoul Show…
We started off by going to a huge festival.
All the members and staff chugged glasses of beer with added
shochu (called alcohol bombing in China.)
Even Chama and Fujiwara who don't drink joined in!
Masu also had some makgeolli and other things at the hotel
he had been saving and we all drank them together.
In the end it was a pretty large bill (I was really shocked!)
and we all returned to the hotel.
On nice days spent drinking, this guy (the one with his thumb up)
totally transforms. (I was drunk too so the picture is shaky, sorry.)
After we got back to the hotel, this guy got up to some other interesting things,
please look forward to hearing about them next time!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Live in Seoul
Many more people than last time came to
our live show at the event hall today!
Today's Seoul show was a long one.
I always say this, but Korean fans are enthusiastic!
They were jostling about from the time we were on the bus til we got on stage!
They had amazing energy.
We had our real tour finale at a yakiniku [fried meat] shop.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LIVE IN SEOUL
Today we had a live show in Seoul.
We didn't advertise it in Japan
so I'm sure some people are surprised!
Here many Korean fans are lined up to see us.
We are about to open the doors!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pontsuka
The first thing we did after the tour was to record a Pontsuka.
The tour was over so we thought we'd rest a bit, but we
still don't have time to relax.
Now we will be going to Seoul!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Last Day in Yoyogi
We have finished rehearsing and are about to open the concert hall doors.
Our tour that seemed long but short ends today.
Those who can make it, please come and enjoy to your heart's content!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In the Middle of Rehearsing
We are in the middle of rehearsing for our Yoyogi show!
During today's rehearsals we discovered that Fujiwara loves strawberry sandwiches!
He always eats them before rehearsal.
We found that the members and staff all like strawberry sandwiches quite a lot.
I've never really had a hobby or anything I prefer to eat,
but I really want to eat the sandwich that Fujiwara
left over for later!!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Our Tour Performances are Done!
We're finished.
Thank you very much to everyone who attended the shows!
This tour was over in the blink of an eye.
Now we only have to prepare for the Yoyogi show, so the
members get to rest a little bit.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In Osaka
Hello! Today is our second day in Osaka Castle Hall.
Right now the members are in the middle of rehearsing!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Live House Tour Is Over
The shows in Sapporo, Sendai, and Niigata went we and we have returned to Tokyo.
Thank you to everyone who came!
Right now BUMP OF CHICKEN is preparing for our arena tour.
We hope to see you this weekend at Makuhari!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Spent Moving to Niigata
After we completed our two days in Sendai, we took our bus to Niigata.
We ate at the Adatara rest area and took at toilet break at the Niitsuru picture area.
The staff all marveled at the snow and how cold it was,
but the members enjoyed themselves outside.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Today's the First Day of the Tour!
I'm a bit late, but happy New Year!
Please continue to support BUMP OF CHICKEN this year too.
Today is our first day of the tour, at ZEPP SAPPORO.
Yesterday we arrived in Sapporo,
and although due to snow we thought we might not be able to land
we were only delayed one hour and arrived safely.
We are done with rehearsals, the show has started,
and it's a full house!
Please look forward to our future shows!
Please enjoy a photo of today's rehearsal.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BOC Is Well
It's gotten pretty cold, hasn't it.
Right now the members haven't caught colds and are pretty calm.
Please be careful not to catch the flu.
Also, tickets for all shows of Run Rabbit Run have SOLD OUT!
Thank you so much!
We are looking forward to meeting all the fans next year.
We've also decided to add shows in Tokyo and Fukuoka!
Take advantage of this chance if you weren't able to get tickets for the other shows.
Recently we've finally ended our promotion activities.
So we're starting our tour rehearsals.
We had some new types of exposure during this promotion period, including in Guitar Magazine.
Fujiwara is featured on the cover, and in an article about him you can see a rare glimpse of Fujiwara the guitarist as opposed to his usual self.
We were also featured in the Japanese edition of Big Issue.
They published an interview with the members, but you cannot buy it in bookstores.
For details please check out the INFO page.
We have also begun broadcasting the Karma music video,
so if you haven't seen it yet please check it out!
I'll end this diary with a behind the scenes picture from our filming.
The place was transformed to make the setting for the film like this!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Supernova/Karma Is on Sale!
Thank you to those who have already heard the songs!
To those who haven't, I hope you will!
We're a bit late, but to go along with the release we have changed
the page design of the site like we did with Planetarium.
What do you think? We hope you like it.
Today we are filming the Karma music video.
We started early this morning and plan to finish tomorrow morning at 5 AM!
And then we will gather again in the afternoon!!
How long will our energy last? Let's all tdo our best.
Also, on Saturday two days from now we will be live guests
in TOKYO FM's Spain Hill Studio.
It's a Saturday, so if you have the opportunity please try to be there.
Well then, here you can see Fujiwara and Masukawa who are still doing well.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Visiting the Lumtric Company
The Lumtric Company
is the company that manufactures the SONIC brand guitars used by Chama and Fujiwara,
owned by guitar builder Takeda Yutaka (the person in the photo.)
Usually he sees one person at a time,
but yesterday the timing was good and three members were there
so we took a commemorative picture with Mr. Takeda.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It's Nice Weather Today
Hello.
Today, (Friday) 11/4, Tokyo has been blessed with fine weather,
a perfect day for collecting material for an article.
We're preparing for our article in B-PASS today.
The Supernova music video will be done soon.
Please look forward to it~
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Birthday Present
For Chama's birthday, Fujiwara gave him a bass!
It's Hofner violin bass.
It's famous for being used by Paul McCartney.
On that day by chance Chama had brought the Beatles' "The Blue Album"
with him intending to play the songs. What good timing!!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We've Announced the Tour
We've made you wait a really long time! But we've announced the new tour.
We're trying this for the first time as an experiment, and I'm sure
that some of you were surprised that we're going to be touring western Japan.
Even though the scope of the concert halls is different we aren't going to change
anything about how we perform, so don't worry.
Please look forward to the tour!
The two people in the photo who aren't the members played the children
in the Tentai Kansoku (Star Gazing) music video.
They've grown up!
Can you tell which of them was just playing the part of a child?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Supernova Music Video Filming Has Ended
We're done!
Thank you so much to everyone who participated as an extra!
Filming was hard, but we're very grateful to you all for persevering.
To those who didn't participate, please look forward to the music video.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We're Filming the Music Video Today
Soon filming will commence!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recording a Chorus
Everyone is recording together.
It's quite a rare event.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Happy Birthday Chama!
Congrats on turning 26! Here we were in the middle of recording.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cajon
We got a Pearl Boom Box Cajon.
It's that thing Fujiwara is sitting on and playing, a percussion instrument.
Masu is joining in and playing too.
It's a simple and fun instrument.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We're Recording
…And besides that we're doing a lot more too.
We're really just very busy.
We've begun regularly appearing on radio too.
Did you hear our first broadcast?
Please look forward to the next one as well.
We will have more news for you soon.
Please look forward to that.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Long Time No See
Summer is over, did everyone enjoy it?
It's been over a week since our last summer event in Okinawa ended,
but because of typhoons our instruments still have not arrived back in Tokyo!!
But still the members have continued work.
Please look forward to our next announcement soon~
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nagoya Show
I think it was a pretty nice situation for a show.
The show took place in the dark so enjoy this photo of the pre-rehearsal.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sorry for Not Updating
Happy birthday Masu!!
Our 8/10 Planetarium Live show in Nagoya was Masu's birthday.
I took this photo quickly before we left.
Masukawa is not there because he was late (he is late most of the time recently…)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We've Replenished Our HP!
It was sudden, but we got to replenish our HP.
This may cause trouble in the future, but in the meantime
we will continue to improve.
Well then, enjoy seeing our progress on the music video!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Filming the Music Video
A shot of all four members in the studio.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recently Masu…
Is playing with a yo-yo. All the time. He is in service to the string.
The filming of the Planetarium music video ended yesterday.
Here were were filming at the Atsugi Children's Science Museum's planetarium.
He will continue to be like this. Well then!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chama Cut His Hair
This short haircut feels kind of nostalgic somehow.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A Scene of Recording 2
Here is Fujiwara.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A Scene of Recording
Recording went well.
We've made progress, so have a photo from the recording.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Masukawa and Masu
We've finished our recording and sound work.
Masu is doing research on his laptop.
His search results are…
Squid do not have bones!
The things they have that look like bones are not bones,
did you know that?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The First Shot of All Four in a While
The other day when they were writing what they were going to say at a summer fest
they had all four gathered together so I snapped this picture.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recording 2
Chama got a new bass!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We Are Recording
Here we are recording for Planetarium, which goes on sale on 7/21.
It's going well! Please look forward to it!
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Recording the Pontsuka Trip
In a previous entry I said that if we would not be be recording a Pontsuka in the studio due to being too busy that we would record our trips and show you that, so here is a photo from a break in rehearsal the other day.
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BUMP Today
Today we are rehearsing. This is how things have looked lately.
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Chama @ Shibuya
We didn't go to see a movie, we were just working as usual.
For some reason I felt like posting it.
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Pontsuka
Our only regular radio presence, Pontsuka is basically recorded in the studio like this.
How about we try recording ourselves in various places as we go on scheduled trips, guerrilla-style?
Lots of people do this lately.
It would probably be sort of a rough recording, but what do you think?
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Long Time No See! In the Takahashi Diary
Everyone, we've made you wait a long time.
We resumed activities at the start of April.
Really, we've taken a long break since this year started, the longest we've ever had.
Since we made you wait so long it would be great if we could give you a lot of news,
I think.
We've decided to go to Summer Fest Hiroshima SET STOCK and Hitachinaka ROCK IN JAPAN FESTIVAL!
These are our first live shows this year so we hope to see you there.
Also, we are finishing a number of new songs!
Now we are rehearsing them.
The picture below is from before we recorded the final version, when we
had recorded another song we were done practicing. Fujiwara is doing something with a guitar.
Lately we are busy doing things like this and working hard.
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Happy New Year
Happy New Year everyone.
Please continue to support BUMP OF CHICKEN this year too.
We'll let you know about the band's activities for the year when we decide.
Please look forward to it.
This photo was taken after rehearsing for our two days of shows at Makuhari.
A few hours after this photo was taken they gave a wonderful show, then moved
on to give a successful show in Seoul, Korea to finish up the year 2004.
Right now we are taking a break to rest our bodies.
It might become a long vacation, but don't worry.
We are diligently recording our regular radio show PONTSUKA!
Please check it out if you're interested in what the members are doing.
Well then, please keep supporting us in this new year!
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The Chicken George Tour Starts in Kobe!
This is from 7:30 PM.
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Today We're in Kumamoto! We're Doing a Sound Check
It's 3:50 PM and Masu is doing a sound check. Fujiwara is playing with a kendama.
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The Kumamoto Show Has Begun!
It's 7:30 PM and they've started to play that song from FLAME VEIN-
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In the Middle of the Kagoshima Show!!
That's where we are. Everyone's excited for our first show in Kagoshima!
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Second Live Update from Kagoshima!
It's 8:15 PM and the show has reached it climax!
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Long Time No See
April 12th was Fujiwara's birthday.
Here is a scene from when we were all celebrating together.
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R.A. Has Gone on Sale
Hello, today R.A. goes on sale!
They have been appearing in stores since yesterday,
so there are a lot of BBS postings [BBS or the bulletin board system is an old style way of sharing text and such by computer, not common anymore… I had to look this up!] about this already.
Recently there hasn't been much news about the band to update about,
I hope you will keep waiting for us patiently. m(_ _)m
Well then, please enjoy this image.
(Is it funny? Perhaps it is available for a limited time only…)
[In the image Masu is saying, "R.A. goes on sale today!!"]
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Recording Diary
I think we're nearly done.
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Congrats on the 10th Entry! This is the Rehearsal Diary.
They are drinking...
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Recording Diary
During breaks they play around and jam.
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Recent Trouble
Hello.
It's the first update in a while. Sorry it has such a bad name.
The trouble the title is referring to is that a lot of fake
articles about the members exist on the Internet.
We know about this because of fan letters sent to Longfellow,
thank you to the many faithful people who sent those.
All of you were either mad or sad or apologizing to us.
We do not recognize any member chats or BBS postings, or anything that is not
on the official site homepage or on TV or radio that you can directly connect
with the members.
We cannot prove it, but anything else claiming to be written by the members is fake.
That's all, thank you very much for reading.
I'll upload a photo later. Well then!
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Recording 4
Hello~.
Now we've seen all the members.
Here is Masukawa.
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Recording 3
It's been a while.
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Recording 2
A picture of Masu.
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Recording Is Going Well
Hello everyone.
There is where everything takes place.
To be continued...
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Who Was That Yesterday?
The answer is this person!
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Still in Production Work
Hello~.
The Chickens are as always secluded away.
So we don't really have any big developments.
Due to various circumstances I still don't have many photos to upload,
Please enjoy this fixed-point camera style photo.
Sorry it's a boring picture~
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Happy New Year
The homepage has been updated,
and the Super Ghostlike Irregular Updates Corner which ended as the "Me I'm Back" Corner
has been reborn as this page!
Hello everyone
and nice to meet you, I'm the manager Takahashi.
How was your New Year's?
For new people. The intent of this "Takahashi Diary" is
for me, who is the closest to the band in daily activities,
to casually tell you about what their continuing circumstances are.
To reflect on the previous corner we had here! We've redone the system so it's easy to update!
All that's left is for me to do my best!
…Or so I say since my laptop has not been fixed yet,
and I'm not used to this new system etc…
But those are excuses. I'll do my best! I will.
Now I've said all that and introduced myself, so this concludes my first entry.
Please love this corner forever~.
Thank you so much for your work!! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you enjoy reading it! I need to hurry up and finish these diary entries haha.
DeleteUpdate: I have finished translating all the diary entries as of now!!
Delete