Kobukuro Nariaki on music, Community, and Finding inspiration in the UK

Japanese musician and producer ⁣Kobukuro Nariaki, known for pushing creative boundaries,⁣ recently released his first essay collection, “The World,” and his latest album, “Zatto.” The ‍essay collection, ‍released in February 2025, reflects on his experiences living and working in England from 2019 to 2024. Themes range from personal reflections on identity and community to broader social issues like Black Lives Matter and the war in ukraine, offering a unique viewpoint on Japan ⁢from abroad.

Kobukuro returned to Japan to promote both the book and a concert tour. This ⁤article delves into his motivations for working in the UK and how that environment shapes his ⁣artistic vision.

Returning to Japan: ⁤A Fresh Perspective

When asked about his return to Japan, Kobukuro described‍ the⁤ experience as feeling “so cute,” highlighting the contrast between his life ⁣in the UK and his homeland. He noted ⁢the relative safety in Japan compared ⁤to the rise in knife crime⁤ in the UK, a concern frequently reported in the news.

Why the UK? A Musician’s Perspective

Kobukuro addressed the ⁣question⁤ of why many Japanese musicians choose to base themselves in the UK.⁤ He ⁤recounted a conversation with music producer Watanabe Junnosuke in⁤ London, where Watanabe expressed a desire to “pop out” and challenge himself. ⁤Kobukuro emphasized that language wasn’t the primary consideration, but ⁢rather a strong urge to break new ground.

He also mentioned meeting fujii Kentaro, producer of the popular show “Wednesday Downtown,” in London.However, Kobukuro expressed reservations about the show’s humor, finding⁣ it lacking in human rights awareness.

Ultimately,‍ Kobukuro explained his choice of London by citing his affinity for British music. “If I’m going to play music,I’ll be in ‍London,LA,or New York…If it’s jazz, I’ll be ‍in Philadelphia. I‍ liked British music. If you’re going, it’s London, right?” he said.

diversity and Inspiration: “burn Your sins to Death with the Flames”

Kobukuro dismissed the ⁢notion that the U.S.is solely for performers seeking fame, while the UK is ⁣for those⁢ seeking business skills. He emphasized the UK’s intense diversity as a major draw.

He described a conversation with Spanish friends about greed⁢ and atonement. He⁣ contrasted the ⁤Japanese tradition of striking temple bells 108 times on New Year’s Eve to dispel worldly desires with the Spanish custom of dancing and ⁣setting ⁢fire to dance. According ‍to Kobukuro, the ⁣Spanish believe that “it burns the fire, shakes the ⁣whole body, and ⁢purifies it with the groove,” a ritualistic burning away of sins.

“I committed a sin. ⁣Burn sin to death with this flame,” Kobukuro paraphrased, ⁣highlighting‍ the raw and visceral nature of the experience.

The Pursuit of⁤ Power: beyond Money

Kobukuro,now 33,stated that money is no longer his primary concern.He values the respect he has earned through his work ⁢in radio, books, and music. Rather, he ⁣is now⁢ seeking “power,” specifically “the power of words.”

He aspires to create music that moves people and inspires⁣ them ‍to ‍change their lives. He believes that by earning respect ⁤and gaining unique experiences, he can use the weight of his ⁤words to empower others.

Kobukuro concluded by stating that while financial security is critically important, ⁣his focus is on making ⁤a meaningful impact through his art.

Osawano Yachiyo ⁣contributed to this article.

About Kobukuro Nariaki

Born April 30, 1991, Kobukuro Nariaki is a musician and⁢ music⁢ producer from Saitama City, Saitama Prefecture. He founded the music record company “TOKA” after graduating from Rikkyo University. He debuted as an artist‍ in 2018 with the single⁢ “Lonely One (feat. Utada Hikaru).”

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“The World” Essay Collection (Shinchosha) – Available now⁢ for 1,980 yen⁣ (tax included).