千羽鶴を口に咬えた日々

In a generation of musicians that emerged in postwar Japan, Kazuki Tomokawa is recognized as a trailblazer of radical individualism, characterized by a sound of profound intimacy and unfiltered honesty. His third album, "A String of Paper Cranes Clenched between My Teeth," was released by Harvest Records in 1977. Tomokawa delves deeper into introspection, as noted by Kiichi Takahara in the original introductory text, embodying the prevailing sentiment among musicians of that era who explored the ordinary and the extraordinary, steering clear of political and societal themes in favor of complete self-reliance. Recorded over a month from August 24 to September 25, 1977, at Tokyo's renowned Onkio Haus studio in the vibrant Ginza district, the album features elevated arrangements. Teamed with the Black Panther Orchestra, Tomokawa's intense vocals, often likened to a "screaming philosopher," harmonize with the orchestra's electric guitar, bass, piano, tuba, and dynamic drums played by Toshi Ishizuka of the Brain Police, a consistent collaborator on Tomokawa's initial three albums. In the words of Takahara, "This is Kazuki Tomokawa in the flesh." "A String of Paper Cranes Clenched between My Teeth" encapsulates Tomokawa's distinctive ability to pierce through pretense and artificiality in pursuit of authenticity. Challenging the melodrama and