Right now the one thing I know I am going to be doing in Tokyo, besides riding trains and being taller than just about everyone else, is going to the Yomirui Giants (or here) versus the Hanshin Tigers (or here) baseball game at the Tokyo Dome (or here.) As Nobuyuki, my host for the short time I plan on being in Tokyo, grew up a Tigers fan I will be rooting for the Tigers and this means learning their fight song, "Rokko Oroshi".
If Mr. Baseball is an accurate depiction of Japanese baseball, or yakyu to use the Japanese term, culture I am in for a heck of a treat, even if we are going to be rooting for the visiting team. According to Nobuyuki (and who am I to doubt him?) singing "Rokko Oroshi" will be a very Japanese experience for me and one I am eagerly anticipating. Here are the words, first in Japanese:
Rokko oroshi ni sasso to
Soten kakeru nichirin no
Seishun no haki uruwashiku
Kagayaku wagana zo Hanshin Taigasu
O-o-o-o Hanshin Taigasu
Fure-fure-fure-fure
Toshi hatsuratsu tatsu ya ima
Nekketsu sude ni teki o tsuku
Ju-o no iki takaraka ni
Muteki no warera zo Hanshin Taigasu
O-o-o-o Hanshin Taigasu
Fure-fure-fure-fure
The official English version, which is not a direct translation, reads:
Dashing swiftly through the wind blowin’ from Rokko
Like the big sun soaring in the clear blue sky
Mighty spirit of the youth shows the victor’s grace
The name that shines in glory “Hanshin Tigers”
Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh! Hanshin Tigers!
Hooray! Hooray! Hooray! Hooray!
Powerful hits and skillful pitch achieved a thousand times
Trained with every discipline here at Koshien
Crowned with constant victory glorious, matchless feat
Always proud, invincible “Hanshin Tigers”
Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh! Hanshin Tigers!
Hooray! Hooray! Hooray! Hooray!
Now that I managed to track down the words I only had to find the music so I could get an idea of the tune in my head, otherwise I will come up with some bastard tune and no one wants that! It took some doing but you can hear a rendition of the tune here.
Now I am all ready for my first exciting yakyu experience which is only enhanced by the atmosphere surrounding the game, which by all reports is similar to the BoSox-Yankees games but even more fanatical!
Hooray! Hooray! Hooray! Hooray!
BONUS
Check out what I found on YouTube! A crappy video of the song being sung!
2 comments:
Have a great trip in Tokyo man! I actually was there last weekend on a whim. A friend who couldn't use his Tokyo Game Show passes offered me the pair, and I couldn't resist. I witnessed the powerful, too damn expensive, PS3 in all its glory. My verdict: don't waste the $600 at launch, like you'd want to anyway.
I'm sure your guide will have you covered for the most part, but if I can give you any last minute recommendations, eat as much Japanese food as you can.
Takoyaki - breaded octopus snack (AWESOMELY DELICIOUS, you can find them everywhere in Tokyo, individual stands sell them usually in packs of 4 or 6)
Okonomiyaki - also common at vendor stands, but you can also find restaurants that serve it (but you have to make it yourself at the restaurant). Delicious hybrid pizza/pancake type food. I've never met anyone who doesn't like it, Japanese or foreign.
Ramen - eat a bowl of ramen in a ramen shop, good for lunch. I will probably miss good ramen more than anything when I eventually return to the states.
Also, if you're trying to save money (difficult in Tokyo, but not impossible), I recommend going to the Government Building in Shinjuku, where you can go to the top floor by elevator for free to get a stunning view of the city. You actually get higher up than Tokyo Tower, and it's open until 11pm if you want a night view.
Ummmm, not too much else to tell, there's definitely enough temples/shrines to keep you busy during your short Tokyo stay. It's actually a bit overwhelming, because although Tokyo is HUGE, there's not as many must see attractions as you might expect. Asakusa Shrine is worth a visit, as is Meiji Jingu. If you go to Meiji Jingu try to visit on a weekend so you can see all the Harajuku girls dressed crazy in front of the entrance on the bridge.
Reading your blog I can't tell if the Ghibli Museum is still on your list. I REAAAAAAAAALLLY wanted to go last weekend, but again, since my trip was so last minute, I was laughed at when I called a day in advance trying to book tickets.
Enjoy your trip man, and if you have any last minute questions, hit me up!
Corey
Ok well I'm an idiot. Didn't notice the date of your post. Hope Tokyo and Korea kicked ass!
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