Gen Hoshino, a "particle of light" - a poetic resonance of words and colors

Gen Hoshino, the "particle of light" - a poetic resonance of words and colors

1. Words were freer than music

Gen Hoshino is a musician, actor, and writer. His expression extends beyond the boundaries of music, expanding the possibilities of words themselves. His words do not just ride on melodies, but also slip into the gaps of everyday life, quietly lighting a fire in the hearts of his listeners.

For example, here are some of his words:

"It's okay to have the option of doing something even if you don't have the talent."

"No matter how far away the world may be, it's close by."

These words are by no means pretentious. Rather, the relaxed, natural way he speaks makes a lasting impression. Hoshino Gen's words share a certain connection with the sense of "close-to-home poetry" that WABISUKE values ​​- an approach that captures the beauty and subtleties of emotion hidden in everyday life, such as seasonal words and traditional Japanese colors.

Reading his essays and interviews, one realizes that words are freer than music. Music is constrained by rhythm and melody, but words are even freer. This is precisely why his writing is imbued with the fluctuations of emotion and thought that music cannot fully express.

2. Color Sense: The Idea Behind "Yellow"

The word "yellow" that Hoshino Gen often uses carries a meaning that goes beyond a simple color. It is a symbol of his Asian identity and also a homage to his beloved band, YMO (Yellow Magic Orchestra). Above all, "yellow" is also the color of "light."

This overlap of the word "yellow" resonates deeply with the traditional Japanese colors handled by WABISUKE, such as "Yellow Yamabuki," "Napa Flower," and "Kihada." These color names are not simply visual information, but also "poetic particles" linked to seasons, emotions, and memories.

This sense of color is alive in Hoshino Gen's music as sound. In his album "POP VIRUS," complex, multi-layered emotions are woven beneath the light-heartedness of the word "pop." In the song "A Trace of Light," the line "People will eventually disappear, leaving nothing behind" evokes the pale golden light shining through on a winter evening. It's a memory of the fleeting yet warm light that is also reflected in the names of colors like "tanko" (pale yellow) and "shiracha" (white tea) that are used at dusk.

3. Affinity with WABISUKE: The balance between poetry and structure

Hoshino Gen's work is a place where poetic space and structural beauty coexist. His lyrics and essays show a delicate awareness of word choice and placement. This philosophy is very similar to the structure of WABISUKE's blog and zine - the placement of seasonal words, the selection of color names, and the design of a flow that leads the reader's gaze.

"What you love is what motivates you"

These words will also resonate deeply with WABISUKE readers. Continuing to do what you love, finding poetry in your daily activities, and sharing them with others. The accumulation of such activities fosters culture and creates resonance.

WABISUKE could also develop a series showcasing Hoshino Gen's "word particles" combined with seasonal words and color names. For example, if we juxtapose his lyrics with the spring seasonal word "Kasumi Hajimete Tanabiku" (The Mist Begins to Fall), what emerges is a tranquil poetic landscape where the changing of the seasons and the fluctuations of people's hearts overlap.

4. Article Ideas: Deepening Poetic Resonance

Articles that connect Gen Hoshino's words with the worldview of WABISUKE can be developed from a variety of angles. Below are some ideas.

title Content

Gen Hoshino and the "Yellow-Green" Afternoon A poetic essay that combines lyrics and color names. It describes the music you'd want to listen to on a golden yellow afternoon and the associated scenery.

Yellow Magic and Rape Blossom Color A look at color and identity. The relationship between YMO and Gen Hoshino, and the Asian sensibility of yellow are explored.

Origin of Sayings × Seasonal Word Quiz A wordplay content aimed at young people. Enjoy the sensitivity of words through a quiz format that combines famous quotes by Hoshino Gen with seasonal words.

"Traces of Light" and Winter Colors We analyze the resonance between the lyrics of the song "Traces of Light" and the traditional colors of winter (white tea, pale pink, yellow leaves, etc.).

5. Existence as particles of light

Gen Hoshino is like a particle of light. His words and music may be invisible to the eye, but they certainly reach our hearts and illuminate something. This overlaps with the "poetic resonance" that WABISUKE aims for.

He scoops up the beauty hidden in the everyday and gently envelops it in words and colors. We would like to continue doing this as well. Every time we come into contact with Hoshino Gen's work, we are reminded that poetry is not something far away, but something that is right next to us.