Here are translations of some of the liner notes written by Hoshibe Sho on his songs contained in Kobushi Factory's first album, Kobushi Sono 1.
Dosukoi! Kenkyo ni Daitan
Dosukoi! With Humility and Audacity
Released in September 2015, this was Kobushi Factory's major debut song.
Using the original, Japanese-style song on the demo track as the base, it was turned into a three chorus configuration, and finished up as more of a rock song.
The theme of the lyrics is 'Don't forget your initial resolution'.
I think that in competitions, love, work, and other things, one's initial resolution begins to fade as one continues on with them for a long while.
With that as the theme of their debut single, as those girls sing it while they perform sumo moves, I'm sure that it will be carved into their chests no matter how many years pass.
In comparison to the Kobushi members, while there is a difference in ages between myself and them, I happen to think of them as my 'contemporaries'.
As fellow amateurs that debuted in 2015, let's always treasure that frame of mind.
And let's all steadily study hard, so that we become people who 'Continuously bring forth things of value'!
Hoshibe Sho
Osu! Kobushi Damashii
Osu! The Kobushi spirit
Their second single, released on February 2016.
I started crafting this song based on the precise theme of 'Let's pay homage to the famous songs that everyone around the world knows'.
When it comes to the melody, the A melody has sharp parts that are easy to comprehend, while there are urban parts as we go from the latter part of the B melody to the chorus. I think it strikes a nice balance.
In particular, the lyrics to the song touch on the immutable truths of work and life, and also act as a reminder towards ourselves.
'Results don't appear immediately'
'One can't erase what they've done'
In life, it's an inevitable fact that we'll have confrontations with others.
Don't curse your own past or fate, live while envisioning an even better future.
And change the difficult past into reminiscences and stories to laugh about in the future.
I watch Kobushi Factory with the hope that they'll be idols who will act as a cheering squad, singing with power, conveying that message of keeping tough.
Hoshibe Sho
Kobushi no Hana
Magnolia flowers
To answer that question, this song was made, to be a song that would act as a substitute business card for the group.
The song is based on folk songs of the 70s, and was set in a major 6th melody in order to bring about a nostalgic feel similar to nursery rhymes or school anthems.
Also, a large amount of musical notes were employed to make it sound completely like a poetry reading.
With its many words, the song is delivered to the listener as if a tale was unfolding, the song's lyrics conveying a message straight to the listener.
So as a result, the lyrics are simple and unadorned, possessing ubiquity.
And more than anything, this song was written with the thought of making it fit exactly with the Kobushi Factory of the present, with the image of the pure white 'magnolia flower' that blooms in early spring.
'Become a person that's nonchalant yet indispensable'
It's a wish for the pure white magnolia flowers, while not as flashy as the sakura, to bloom throughout Japan with their pure strength.
As a creator, that is what I wish.
Also, this was the first song that I got to arrange.
Yamauchi Yuu-san's drums were tight and edge-sharp, Sting Miyamoto-san's bass was exquisite, a blend of brashness and warmth.
The arid feel of winter was drawn out by the distorted slide guitar and the timbre of the high-frequency, sparkling acoustic guitar at the intro.
The resonance of Miyanaga Jirou-san's sober and refined electric guitar spans the entirety of the song, The wail of the guitar solo in particular is a must-listen.
And it may be presumptuous, but I, Hoshibe, played the acoustic guitar.
With the wonderful musical performances of these veteran musicians, the song became many times more tender and passionate that I imagined.
I like the warmth of the back chorus supplied by three men: Hashimoto Shin-san, Yamao Masato-san, and Hoshibe Sho.
Putting in new music into the folk songs of the 70s, I wonder if that back chorus was able to portray the feel of that age.
I think of it as a great honour to have received the opportunity to take part in arranging the song in this way.
I also watched the completed music video.
The sight of the Kobushi members running through the wintry, bleak streets left an impression on me.
The 8 of them were running, searching for the oncoming spring.
The smiles on the 8 of them at the last scene.
With those honest smiles, I wish for them to develop into a group that can lift the spirits of the fans in front of them, as well as everyone in Japan.
From now on as well, please keep on running onwards towards your dreams.
Hoshibe Sho
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