TOGAWA JUN UNIT – CATTLE STRAITS [KACHIKU KAIKYOU] (1985)

lyrics and music by JUN TOGAWA

Potentially one of the more foreboding songs in Togawa’s catalog musically. The lyrics are about the monotony of working daily, which the title also seems to echo – it reads like animals being herded into a channel.

An earlier version of this, entitled “G,” can be found on Togawa Legend Disc 3, with modified lyrics.

Translation and notes under the cut:

TOGAWA JUN UNIT – QUALIFIED TO BE HUMAN [NINGEN GOUKAKU] (1985)

lyrics and music by JUN TOGAWA

The title to this song is most likely a reference to the famous novel by Osamu Dazai, which has a similar title – Ningen Shikkaku, or No Longer Human in English. A literal translation of the title is, according to Donald Keene, Disqualified from Being Human, and as there’s not really an easy way to make an inverted title for No Longer Human, I’ve rendered it as a take-off on the literal title. I’ve also seen it given as “Successful Human,” but I don’t think that really captures the same nuances.

Translation and notes under the cut:

TOGAWA JUN UNIT – A PROMISE TO DREAM [YUME MIRU YAKUSOKU] (1985)

lyrics and music by HARUOMI HOSONO

Thematically distinct from much of Far Eastern Comfort Songs, this song feels much more at home on Tamahime-sama. Most likely, this is due to the synth edge on Hosono’s production and music, which is more out of place compared to “Untitled” or even “Half-Life.” 

Hosono has also produced a version of his own, with tighter (in my opinion) instrumentation. 

Translation and notes under the cut:

TOGAWA JUN UNIT – THE HALF-LIFE OF MIKA TESHIGAWARA [TESHIGAWARA MIKA NO HANSEI] (1985)

lyrics by JUN TOGAWA | music by YOICHIRO YOSHIKAWA

The title to this one could mean either ‘half-life’ or ‘half death.’ Take your pick.

Translation and notes under the cut:

TOGAWA JUN UNIT – UNTITLED [MUDAI] (1985)

lyrics by JUN TOGAWA | music is TRADITIONAL

The music in this track is attributed to an ‘Andean folk song.’ I attempted to do some research going off what I know about Jun Togawa’s exposure to Andean music (IE, her usage of “El Borrachito” by Quilapayun for “Teinen Pushiganga”), but I couldn’t find anything concrete.

Translation and notes under the cut: