Karaoke Challenge: 異邦人 (Ihojin, foreigner) by Saki Kubota (now Sayuri Kume)
My third karaoke challenge is 異邦人 ( ih jin , foreigner) by Saki Kubota (now Sayuri Kume). I do karaoke challenges ever so often to practice Japanese pronunciation and explore the lyrics of songs that catch my attention. My first two were 踊り子 by Vaundy and Happiness by Arashi . The title of this song, 異邦人 ( ih jin , foreigner), might bring to mind the experience of a traveler or immigrant to a foreign country; in fact, I first learned about it from a Japanese woman living abroad who said the song helped her get through challenging times there. And while the use of the hammered dulcimer at the beginning of the song is indeed "exotic" in contrast to Kubota's soulful voice, which sounds like it could belt out an 演歌 ( enka , traditional Japanese ballad), the lyrics evoke feelings of loneliness and longing that can be experienced in any situation, not just while traveling or living in a foreign country. The title itself ( 異邦人) isn't entirely captured by the Engli...