[Music] Some Theme Songs from 3 Japanese TV Dramas starring Takuya KIMURA and Takako MATSU

Takuya KIMURA

Takako MATSU

1. Chinese Poem of the Day:

梁啟超 (1873 - 1929)

自勵

獻身甘作萬矢的，著論求為百世師。

誓起民權移舊俗，更研哲理牖新知。

十年以後當思我，舉國猶狂欲語誰？

世界無窮願無盡，海天寥廓立多時。


2. After graduation from university in the 1980s, I seldom watched Asian TV dramas anymore.

That was due to changes in personal circumstances.

I started watching Asian TV dramas again a few years ago.

This was also due to a change in personal circumstances -- one of my younger brothers has been supplying me with shows to watch.

But I noticed that there is a change in what the term "Asian TV dramas" means to a typical Hong Kong person.

In the 1970s and 1980s, the semantic range of the term “Asian TV dramas” usually includes TV dramas produced in Hong Kong, Japan, or Taiwan.

In the 1990s and 2000s, however, the semantic range of the term has expanded to include TV dramas produced in Korea and mainland China.


3. Takuya Kimura (木村拓哉) (male) and Takako Matsu (松たか子) (female) were one of the golden couples of Japanese TV dramas from the mid-1990s to the 2000s.

Three TV dramas where they appeared together are:

(a) Long Vacation (1996) (11 episodes);

(b) Love Generation (1997) (11 episodes); and

(c) Hero (2001) (11 episodes).

Besides being well-acted and having a good script, each of these TV dramas stands out for me because of their theme songs.

Hearing their theme songs will usually remind me of the corresponding dramas.

4. Long Vacation (1996):

5. Takuya Kimura, of SMAP fame, was already a heartthrob by the time he starred in Long Vacation (1996).

But Long Vacation (1996) really established Takako Matsu's standing as a TV actress.

Long Vacation (1996) is a love story.

Although Takuya Kimura eventually ended up with Tomoko Yamaguchi (the lead actress) in the drama, Takako Matsu will forever be known as the woman who has rejected Takuya Kimura.


6. The theme song of Long Vacation (1996) is called La La La Love Song.

" 'La La La Love Song' is a song recorded by Japanese R&B singer Toshinobu Kubota for his ninth studio album, La La La Love Thang (1996). The song was written by Kubota and produced by Yoichiro Kakizaki." ("La La La Love Song", Wikipedia.)

This song has been disabled in YouTube due to copyright claims by Sony Music.

The followings are from Tudou.com (Like YouTube, Tudou has a 15-20 seconds commercial at the beginning of the video.):

http://www.tudou.com/programs/view/j0ZqHbbQT78/

The video are scenes are the TV drama.

Long Vacation (1996) is part of a Japanese wave that has swept Hong Kong and many parts of Asia.


7. Music videos with Toshinobu Kubota:

http://www.tudou.com/programs/view/r0sr0Wem1fE/

http://www.tudou.com/programs/view/jgkiu9UnuZQ/

http://www.tudou.com/programs/view/tEQ_IRv4F-M/


8. A piano version of La La La Love Song:

http://www.tudou.com/programs/view/idP7GjnGM5U/


9. Love Generation (1997):

10. The theme song of Love Generation (1997) is called Shiawase na Ketsumatsu and is by Ohtaki Eiichi:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVbgH_N6yjk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QY6XrLw2hJk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FG_YxxzwkXA

Love Generation (1997) is a very sweet love story with a happy ending.


11. This is just the music of Shiawase na Ketsumatsu:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLthhSumcbA


12. There are two memorable sub-theme songs of Love Generation (1997).

True True is one of them:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhJntyi6fhE&feature=fvwrel

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YA46L0yIWc&feature=fvwrel


13. The second memorable sub-theme song of Love Generation (1997) is Hear Me Cry:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8o0W6SnqZm0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUKWCGf4YpA

14. Hero (2001):

15. The theme song of Hero (2001) is called Can You Keep A Secret?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AwQuXbae3N4

In Hero (2001), Takuya Kimura stars as a prosecutor investigating cases before deciding whether to laid charges and Takako Matsu is his assistant.


References:

"Hero (2001 TV series)", Wikipedia - The Free Encyclopedia,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hero_%282001_TV_series%29
(accessed 2012-11-19).

"La La La Love Song", Wikipedia - The Free Encyclopedia,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_La_La_Love_Song
(accessed 2012-11-19).

"Long Vacation", Wikipedia - The Free Encyclopedia,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long_Vacation
(accessed 2012-11-19).

"Love Generation (TV series)", Wikipedia - The Free Encyclopedia,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Love_Generation_%28TV_series%29
(accessed 2012-11-19).

"Takako Matsu", Wikipedia - The Free Encyclopedia,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Takako_Matsu
(accessed 2012-11-19).

"Takuya Kimura", Wikipedia - The Free Encyclopedia,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Takuya_Kimura
(accessed 2012-11-19).

"梁启超", Wikipedia - The Free Encyclopedia,
http://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E6%A2%81%E5%95%9F%E8%B6%85
(accessed 2012-11-19).

End.

[Opinion] Stephen Motyer on Anti-Semitism

Stephen Motyer

1. Chinese Verse of the Day:

 

張載 (世稱橫渠先生) (1020 - 1077)

 

橫渠四句:

為天地立心，為生民立命，

為往聖繼絕學，為萬世開太平。


2. Stephen Motyer of the London School of Theology writes the entry 'Anti-Semitism' in the Dictionary for Theological Interpretation of the Bible.

As an entry in a reference work, it is competently written.

I particularly like the way Motyer organizes his entry around questions.

I was influenced by Karl Popper and like to organize my thoughts around problem-solution or question-answer.

The problem or question provides a goal, aim or purpose by which the rest of the entry can be evaluated: did the rest of the entry solved the problem or answer the question that was posed in the beginning of the entry?

Thus, after defining the term "anti-Semitism", Motyer raised the general question: "whether the NT can be called 'anti-Semitic' just because in various ways it rejects the religion of the Jews. Does theological argument against Judaism constitute hostility toward Jews?" (Dictionary for Theological Interpretation of the Bible, s.v. "Anti-Semitism") (Italics in original.)

The background to this general question provides the context for three specific questions, the answers to which constituted the rest of the entry: "So we are faced with three questions. First, is there a proper distinction to be drawn between anti-Judaism and anti-Semitism? Second, is the NT view of Jesus essentially anti-Semitic? And third, what are we to say about the so-called 'anti-Semitic' texts in the NT, like those quoted above?" (Dictionary for Theological Interpretation of the Bible, s.v. "Anti-Semitism")
 

Motyer argues that one can disagree with Judaism without being anti-Semitic.

Motyer also argues that regarding Jesus as the "meaning" of the OT scriptures is not anti-Semitic.

Motyer then provides a reading of two New Testament passages that are used by some anti-Semites; I find Motyer's readings implausible.


3. The first passage Motyer briefly explains is John 8:44.

The following is John 8:39-47 from the English Standard Version (ESV):
 

39 They answered him, “Abraham is our father.” Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham's children, you would be doing the works Abraham did, 40 but now you seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. This is not what Abraham did. 41 You are doing the works your father did.” They said to him, “We were not born of sexual immorality. We have one Father—even God.” 42 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and I am here. I came not of my own accord, but he sent me. 43 Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word. 44 You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. 45 But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me. 46 Which one of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me? 47 Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.”

Motyer explains John 8:44 thus: " 'You are of your father the devil' (John 8:44) is, in context, a warning that, if 'the Jews' persist in plotting Jesus' death, or in regarding it as justified, they will forge a moral kinship with the devil, who is a murderer." (Dictionary for Theological Interpretation of the Bible, s.v. "Anti-Semitism") (Italic in original.)

Motyer, in order to tone down what some regards as anti-Semitism in the New Testament, reads John 8:44 as a "warning" not to "forge a moral kinship with the devil, who is a murderer".

But this is not plausible at all.

Only three verses later, John 8:47 says: "The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God."

What the text asserts is much stronger than a "warning".

The New Testament is quite consistent in this: when one believe Jesus Christ, there is a transition from wrath to grace, or from death to life, or from of the devil to of God.


4. The second passage Motyer briefly explains is Matthew 27:25.

The following is Matthew 27:24-26 from the English Standard Version (ESV):
 

24 So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man's blood; see to it yourselves.” 25 And all the people answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!” 26 Then he released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, delivered him to be crucified.

Motyer explains Matthew 27:25 thus: "Similarly Matt. 27:25 ('His blood be on us and on our children!') is an appeal to the 'children' of the speakers -- now contemporary with the evangelist -- not to accept the verdict of their parents, that Jesus' execution is a 'safe bet' before God." (Dictionary for Theological Interpretation of the Bible, s.v. "Anti-Semitism") (Italic in original.)

Motyer, in order to tone down what some regards as anti-Semitism in the New Testament, reads Matthew 27:25 as an "appeal to the 'children' of the speakers".

But this is not plausible at all.

What the text recorded was the crowd claiming that they and their children will bear responsibility for the death of Jesus.

Whether a Jewish father can bind his children for the consequences of his action in this way is another question.

But nowhere does the text suggest an "appeal to the 'children' of the speakers".


5. I do not believe the Bible and Christianity are anti-Semitic.

Stephen Motyer has so argued in his entry in the Dictionary for Theological Interpretation of the Bible.

Some Christians were anti-Semitic is a fact of history.

Some New Testament passages were misused by anti-Semites is also a fact of history.

But these facts do not legitimize interpretative abuses in the other direction.


References:

Dictionary for Theological Interpretation of the Bible. 2005. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic.

"張載 (北宋)", Wikipedia - The Free Encyclopedia,
http://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%BC%B5%E8%BC%89_%28%E5%8C%97%E5%AE%8B%29
(accessed 2012-11-07).

End.

[Music] Johnny Yip & Frances Yip -- The Smiling, Proud Wanderer

 

Poster for The Smiling, Proud Wanderer (1984)

Chow Yun-fat

Rebecca Chan

Jaime Chik

1. Chinese Poem of the Day:

 

程顥 (1032 – 1085)

 

秋日偶成

閑來無事不從容，睡覺東窗日已紅；
 

萬物靜觀皆自得，四時佳興與人同。
 

道通天地有形外，思入風雲變態中；
 

富貴不淫貧賤樂，男兒到此是豪雄。


2. As a song, The Smiling, Proud Wanderer ("笑傲江湖") is one of my all-time favourites.

As Wikipedia has noted, "笑傲江湖" "literally means to live a carefree life in a mundane world of strife" ("The Smiling, Proud Wanderer").

I have other-worldly tendencies and whenever I listen to this song, it just takes me far, far away from this world.

This song really appeals to the would-be Taoist (or Daoist) in me.

Yet as a Christian, I have to remind myself that what happens in this world is meaningful and important and that this is demonstrated by Jesus Christ coming to save and redeem the world.


3. The Smiling, Proud Wanderer was the theme song of a Hong Kong TVB television drama of the same name that was first aired in April, 1984.

The TVB television drama in turn was based on a martial arts and chivalry novel of the same name by Louis Cha (pen name: Jin Yong).

Louis Cha wrote this novel between 1967 and 1969 when the Cultural Revolution in China was in full swing.

In is well known that The Smiling, Proud Wanderer has many political allegories.

The following is Wikipedia's take of the allegories ("The Smiling, Proud Wanderer", Wikipedia):

In his afterword, Jin Yong mentions that The Smiling, Proud Wanderer can be read as a political allegory disguised as a wuxia novel. As an allegory, it can happen in "any dynasty or organisation".

Although Jin Yong did not leave any unequivocal evidence, many people believe that characters and factions in the book are representations of people and great powers of the late 1960s, the time when the novel was written. One popular interpretation believes that the Five Mountain Sword Sects Alliance represents the Soviet Union, with its chief Zuo Lengchan as a personification of Joseph Stalin, while the Sun Moon Holy Cult emblematises China with Dongfang Bubai symbolising Mao Zedong. The other sects, including Shaolin, Wudang, and Emei, represent NATO and countries aligned with the United States. This idea relates very well to George Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-Four, where the world is split into three superpowers: Oceania, Eurasia, and East Asia.

This heavily politics related book is written from an interesting perspective. Instead of looking at the situation from the point of view of a politician who is either seeking to start a rebellion or struggling to keep the world peaceful, the main character Linghu Chong is a lonely individual who does not seek supremacy in a power-driven world.


4. Many of Louis Cha's novels have been turned into films or TV dramas; and many more than once.

Wikipedia listed 4 films and 6 TV dramas that were adapted from The Smiling, Proud Wanderer.

The 1984 Hong Kong TVB production was the first TV adaptation of this novel and it was 30 episodes long.

This TV drama starred Chow Yun-fat (who is well-known to western audience), Rebecca Chan and Jaime Chik.

Both Rebecca Chan and Jaime Chik were very pretty in this TV drama.


5. The Smiling, Proud Wanderer - the videos are scenes and stills from the 1984 TV drama:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1QLsg3rCMQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31BteUEeWeQ


6. The video quality of this recent upload is very good:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ga09VC8oNeg


7. This is uploaded on October 26, 2012.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gCYpF_tXxo
 
The video is very nicely done.


7a. Added: Thursday, November 8, 2012.

Johnny Yip and Frances Yip in concert:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Ss5eIVMxLc


8. Very nice instrumental of the song:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxtbNUVH4J0

The actress in the first part of the video is Xu Qing, one of my favorite actresses of mainland China.

Xu Qing is the star of the 2001 adaptation of The Smiling, Proud Wanderer produced in mainland China.

But why would the producer of this video chose the star of the 2001 TV production for the theme song of the 1984 TV production?

Kind of confusing.


9.  The Lyrics in Traditional Chinese:


笑傲江湖 -- 葉振棠 & 葉麗儀

女：那用爭世上浮名   世事似水去無定
男：要覓取世上深情   何懼奔波險徑
女：也亦知劍是無情   會令此心再難靜
男：那恩怨未曾問
女：縱是相聚也短暫
男：心中
合：此際情也可永

* 合：那懼千里路遙遙   未曾怕風霜勁
女：心中獨留
男：此生還剩
女：多少柔情
男：悲歡往影
女：過去悲歡往日情境
男：此際情
合：笑傲天際踏前程   去歷幾多滄桑
女：歲月匆匆再不問
男：心中
合：此際情也可永

Repeat *

女：歲月匆匆再不問
合：此際情也可永


10. The Lyrics in Simplified Chinese:


笑傲江湖 -- 叶振棠 & 叶丽仪

女：那用争世上浮名   世事似水去无定
男：要觅取世上深情   何惧奔波险径
女：也亦知剑是无情   会令此心再难静
男：那恩怨未曾问
女：纵是相聚也短暂
男：心中
合：此际情也可永

* 合：那惧千里路遥遥   未曾怕风霜劲
女：心中独留
男：此生还剩
女：多少柔情
男：悲欢往影
女：过去悲欢往日情境
男：此际情
合：笑傲天际踏前程   去历几多沧桑
女：岁月匆匆再不问
男：心中
合：此际情也可永

Repeat *

女：岁月匆匆再不问
合：此际情也可永


11. Names, Words and Phrases:

Cheng Hao (Traditional Chinese: 程顥; Simplified Chinese: 程颢).

Chow Yun-fat (Traditional: 周潤發; Simplified: 周润发).

Cultural Revolution (Traditional: 文化大革命; Simplified: 文化大革命).

Frances Yip (Traditional: 葉麗儀; Simplified: 叶丽仪).

Jaime Chik (Traditional: 戚美珍; Simplified: 戚美珍).

Jin Yong (Traditional: 金庸; Simplified: 金庸).

Johnny Yip (Traditional: 葉振棠; Simplified: 叶振棠).

Louis Cha (Traditional: 查良鏞; Simplified: 查良镛).

Martial arts and chivalry novel (Traditional: 武俠小說; Simplified: 武侠小说).

Rebecca Chan (Traditional: 陳秀珠; Simplified: 陈秀珠).

Xu Qing (Traditional: 許晴; Simplified: 许晴).


References:

"Cheng Hao", Wikipedia - The Free Encyclopedia,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheng_Hao
(accessed 2012-11-04).

"List of The Smiling, Proud Wanderer characters", Wikipedia - The Free Encyclopedia,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_The_Smiling,_Proud_Wanderer_characters
(accessed 2012-11-04).

"List of TVB series (1984)", Wikipedia - The Free Encyclopedia,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_TVB_series_%281984%29
(accessed 2012-11-04).

"The Smiling, Proud Wanderer",  Wikipedia - The Free Encyclopedia,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Smiling,_Proud_Wanderer
(accessed 2012-11-04).

"The Smiling, Proud Wanderer (1984 TV series)", Wikipedia - The Free Encyclopedia,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Smiling,_Proud_Wanderer_%281984_TV_series%29
(accessed 2012-11-04).

End.