MEGASTREAM Tuesday Minitalks | Shinsei AKATSUKI
Ibuki's entrance into AKATSUKI has insensitive parallels to the history between Japan and the Ryukyu Islands, specifically the annexation of Ryukyu into Okinawa from 1872-1879 onward. Click for more information
AKATSUKI is a unit embodied by 和 (wa, lit. harmony, but also a self-designator for Japan). The word 和風 (wafu, Japanese style) comes from 和. During the Meiji Restoration, 和 was central to Japan’s efforts to unify and assimilate new territories under a shared cultural identity. On top of his membership, Ibuki's active pursuit of 本当の和風 (true Japanese-style) being the reason he pursues AKATSUKI is inappropriate, bearing this in mind.
Additionally, the Ryukyu Disposition was driven by military interests, particularly securing Japan's southern borders from other nations. In Okinawan schools, national pride was linked to serving Japan’s military goals. This had devastating consequences, particularly during the Battle of Okinawa in World War II. This in mind, having Ibuki join the self-proclaimed "war unit" is also inappropriate.
Read the full-length analysis here: Unpacking Shinsei (新生) AKATSUKI; An Extended Translation Note and Analysis.
(1/6) Ibuki
Oooh~! Have you guys been learning uchinaaguchi4 for me?
It's possible to express your feelings without language, but language is something that can reach~ your heart~
I feel super, super happy to receive your thoughts in the language I know and love. Thank you~♪
(2/6) Kuro
Yo, it's Kiryu Kuro. Are ya enjoyin' this fine Tuesday?
... Haha. It's the start of the week so you still gotta get yer engine runnin', dontcha? Well, still sucks that the weekend feels like a way's away.
But ya got us AKATSUKI here with ya. You don't gotta push yerself or anythin', but how about we have some fun while we're at it?
Yeah...? Well, how about I sing a lil' ditty?
♪~♪~♪
How was that, feelin' a little more pumped up? I'm not especially good at acapella or anythin', so it was kinda embarassin', though...
Oi, oi, ya can't just ask that all shameless, can ya?
Well, it doesn't feel bad that you're lookin' forward to us either. Welp, that's up to Hasumi-no-danna.
How about you try tellin' that guy face-to-face? If he gets that there's a demand for it, he might give it some thought, 'kay?
(3/6) Souma
I am Kanzaki Souma. I am a samurai who lives in modern times.
... Hm. Strings of words have been popping up on the screen for quite some time now.
When I think about the fact that each and every one of those words were crafted together by someone out there, somewhere out there, it's fascinating. It's as if the mystical power of language7 has been made visible for the eye to see...♪
That's right. Before I became an "aidoru",8 such cultural exchanges were few and far between for me.
In the very beginning, I couldn't even handle a "su-matto" phone, but if you refuse to keep up with the times, you'll only be left in the past, so...
To get accustomed to modern times; to live my life as a samurai. That is precisely my bushido code...♪ 9
Yes, I can generally follow them with my eyes ♪
However, picking everything out when it's this fast isn't easy. It breezes by like the wind.
... Hm. Am I able to reread these again after? If that's the case, I'll make sure to read each and every one after the stream.
(4/6) Souma
Now then, allow me to take over from here and introduce AKATSUKI.
AKATSUKI is a Japanese-style10 unit headed by its leader Hasumi-dono. It's a unit that forges a new path while honoring what came before.
These three who I walk with... For me, they are irreplaceable companions, comrades-in-arms who share the same lot in life.
Hmm. When it comes to a song I'm deeply attached to, it is difficult to pick just one...
If I must choose one, it would have to be "A Thousand Blossoms, Night of the Crimson Moon". When Taki is added to it, a different kind of enjoyment is born from it.
The spirit of AKATSUKI dwells in each and every one of its songs. Every time I sing, I look back at the original enthusiasm I had for it, and feel inspired to train myself even harder...♪
Haha, that is a very good question. AKATSUKI's appeal is its pride.
Keep to the path you believe in. Possess an unwavering strength, no matter how the times change. That is the beauty AKATSUKI has.
Move ahead without faltering, go to even greater heights. Contruct a future suitable to the proud name of AKATSUKI.
(5/6) Keito
I am Hasumi Keito. Have you been enjoying AKATSUKI's livestream so far?
... Heh, I see. I imagine the other three will be happy to hear what everyone has to say.
Now then, allow me to give a brief self-introduction. Hasumi Keito, born in September. My hobbies are writing literature and keeping a glasses collection, and my speciality is the shamisen.
That's right. I don't mean to boast, but I have shelves dedicated to holding my glasses back at my parents' home.
You can never have too many glasses, after all. If I'm away on a trip or working on location, and I happen upon an eyeglasses store, I always try to stop by.
An encounter with glasses is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, after all. Just like with people...♪
I wasn't aware, is that how it seems...? Writing literature is a must for deepening one's knowledge, and so glasses are my partner for clearing my vision.
Set aside whether you're intelligent or not. Honing one's knowledge is about accumulating it day by day.
If you don't keep up with it that diligently, your knowledge will fade. You must constantly self-improve if you want to broaden your horizons.
(6/6) Ibuki
Thank you for sticking around to the very end, everyone~♪ If you all had a great time, I'm happy~
I can't see your guys' expressions through the screen, though. I'll just believe you're all smiles, okay~
I really don't wanna part ways yet, but it's about time we say goodbye~ Let's end it with a smile~♪
Nyahaha. Thank you for all the lovely compliments~ You guys are the best too, for lending us your support~♪
Like the moonshine on a gloomy night, AKATSUKI will continue to be the light that illuminates everyone's tomorrow.
I wonder when's the next time we see each other again, huh... I'm looking forward to seeing everyone's smiles~
Ooh~ "Nji chaabira" is uchinaaguchi for goodbye~
You guys have totally mastered it, huh~ You might be better than me? Nyahaha ♪
I'm looking forward to the day we see each other again~ Keep looking after us AKATSUKI, 'kay~♪
Translation Notes
- ↑ Haisai is an uchinaaguchi greeting used in Okinawa. All uchinaaguchi phrases are kept as written.
- ↑ The word for Tuesday is 火曜日 (kayoubi), which uses the kanji 火 (lit. fire)
- ↑ AKATSUKI is written as 紅月, which uses the kanji 紅 (lit. crimson) and 月 (lit. moon). I wrote out "crimson moon" so it was clear what the pun is.
- ↑ As mentioned before, uchinaaguchi is the native Okinawan language.
- ↑ The way this is written is『紅月』曜日 (AKATSUKI-youbi or AKATSUKI day). The word for Monday is 月曜日 (getsuyoubi), which uses the kanji 月 (lit. moon). Instead of "AKATSUKIday", I've made this "AKA-GETSUyoubi" (紅-月曜日) to preserve the pun.
- ↑ The word for Monday is 月曜日 (getsuyoubi), which uses the kanji 月 (lit. moon).
- ↑ Kotodama (言霊) is the belief that words have mystical power and can influence reality through their sound and intent. This belief has its roots in Shinto
- ↑ In Japanese, words from other languages (such as English) are typically rendered in katakana. However, when Souma uses katakana words, they are all written in hiragana instead, likely to emphasize how he struggles with foreign words. These words are kept as written in hiragana, and put in "quotes".
- ↑ Bushido (武士道) (lit. path of the samurai) is the moral and ethical code followed by samurai. Some of its traditional virtues are loyalty, honor, courage, and self-discipline
- ↑ 和風 (wafu, lit. tranquil wind), or Japanese-style.
- ↑ A rare and polite farewell in uchinaaguchi. While those familiar with the language will recognize it, it is not commonly used.