Fukuyama Masaharu の Heart

Kim Nguyen (Australia), Administrator and Webmistress, MashaPlus [dot] Info Forums

Review: Masaharu Fukuyama’s Music - The “f” Style
Date: 2008.12.07

I find it a great waste that not many non-Japanese speaking listeners got to know Masaharu Fukuyama. Actually, given the scenario that Japanese music industry, gaining magnificent profit each year through domestic consumption, doesn’t appear to be interested in spreading its wings overseas, it is obviously pretty difficult for international listeners to assess the renown “national treasure”: Fukuyama’s music.

He is a real gifted artist to begin with. He got so many talents that it’s sometimes frustrating - a musician who can produce the most delicate tunes blending themselves with the beautiful and melodic lyrics to contemplate the subtle joy and the deep sadness - a singer who’s delivering his own emotions with a unique deep and resonant voice. Also a brilliant award-winning actor, a widely accredited photographer, a successful radio dj, but if I’m going to introduce him, I would say “Masaharu Fukuyama the musician”.

The “f” style - just as simple as it is, just as subtle and humble as it is, yet glittering with a luxury aura. He is one of the most laid back guys, with the I-don’t-care look, and so is his music. Fukuyama never tried to impulse effort into his tunes. He let it be, like a spring breeze, embracing our body, murmuring into our ears. When he wrote down the lyrics, it was just like when he’s making a joke. Call him 4th dimensional person or whatever, he had this facial expression “I don’t know. The words just drop down from the sky.”

Fukuyama’s music is never agressive, even when he’s doing rock. Fukuyama’s lyrics is never pessimistic, it may reflect the sadistic moments, but there’s always light and hope remained. His songs are more of remedy for the soul.

Fukuyama’s music is poetic, and artistic. The inspired photographer is not someone who can skip a beautiful morning walking up the hill in cherry blossoming season. “Sakurazaka” is the illustration of observation, of contemplation, and of admiration. He is this kind of a musician whose raw material is so down to the earth. He finds inspiration in the smallest things around, just like a haiku poet, never overtempted, never rushing, and never demanding.

Talking about Masaharu Fukuyama’s music career can take days and nights. 18 years in the industry, Fukuyama is more of a status than a trend. He has his name in the list of 50 most influential artists in history. He has his own museum with thousands of visitors every week. And he has his last name attached with his hometown Nagasaki - Nagasaki Fukuyama. It is a relief that such a talent is appreciated and embraced.

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River (Malaysia), MashaPlus [dot] Info Forums

Review: Ryoma den 2010
Date: 2009.05.24

(Extract)
I have been reading back on the articles when Masha was announced as a lead in Ryoma-den, on how the aim for this taiga is to create a new type of Ryoma. A Ryoma that was never seen before. The Ryoma they wanted to create is the ever-changing, evolving person with infinite possibilities. Most Ryoma appearances in other drama/manga emphasize more on his nationalistic side. But Ryoma goes from shono-joi movement to working with foreigners, from nationalist to businessman, from wanting to assassinate Katsu Kaisho to totally embracing his idea and many more.

And it’s also has been a year since I found out about this guy; Fukuyama Masaharu (yes, I remember watching Galileo in May last year *Kiss). In the beginning, I was opposing the idea, because Masha is a musician first, he has a 20th anniversary in 2010, he’s also too old and admit it, he’s not the greatest actor in the world. But after a year mingling around with you guys, reading the translations and listening to his radio show, I understand why Fukuda-san and Ootoma-san wanted him.

Masha may not be the best actor in the world, but he’s certainly more than competent. Galileo has shown that, Yukawa-sensei is a unique character that people are still rank him as one character they would like to see again, and it won’t work without Masha. He also has that charisma that made people want to confide in him, that approachability, apparently that charisma is what Ryoma also has in abundance. Of course, Suzuki-san’s reason; He’s someone with infinite possibilities reflects Masha really well. The more I think about it, the more I’m convinced that Masha is the right person for the part.

Masha’s involvement was announced so early. Tsumabuki Satoshi, for eg, was announced as a lead sometimes in May last year, three months before they start shooting in Aug. But in Masha’s case, it was announced almost a year before they start shooting. It makes sense to book his time that early, Masha is a very busy man.

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EllipsesBandit (USA), independent fan

Review: Michishirube Tour, Hiroshima stop
Date: 2009.08.21

(Izumi)
A very comprehensive, exciting and well-written review. The best I’ve seen so far. This is long, but worth every minute of it. She starts with “And now, the long-awaited concert write up of the single greatest performance in my performance viewing career.” Enough said.

Please read it in its entirety here - http://ellipsesbandit.livejournal.com/210997.html
You will be glad you did. ^0^

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Izumi’s comments
I have also seen quite a few very well-written reviews in English on Galileo, Suspect X and hs Zankyo album. However when we set up Mashaheart, my partners and I have decided that this is to be a word-only site for obvious copyright reasons. Since those wonderful reviews have multimedia files embedded, I cannot include the direct links here. You can search for them yourself in this site.

The reviews and links above were first posted on MashaPlus [dot] Info Forums. (Registration required to enter.)