Mari Fukushige writes and performs ‘tatoushi’ from her album Motherland. Hiraku Someno joins her to compose the music. The track asks reflective questions about illusions and memory.
Released: January 22, 2025
tatoushi
Mari Fukushige • From “Motherland”
tatoushi Lyrics Translation – Motherland Soundtrack
Mari Fukushige uses shimmering mirrors and smooth silk as concrete metaphors. She writes the line ‘call out and touch this illusion’ to stress vulnerability. These physical images describe how we cherish fleeting, patchwork connections.
Yurameku awase kagami gaShimmering mirrors facing each other,
Hitotsu ni natta koto kara umareta kodocreate a heartbeat from the moment they became one.
Yonde maboroshi tayotteCall out and lean on this illusion,
Hisokana yakusokuthis secret promise,
Katachi no nai monothis thing without a form.
Wakaranai mama kioku tadotteI’m tracing my memories without understanding,
Mitsukerarenai mama nagaretsuita ainezu no iroand I’ve drifted to this dull gray color without finding what I sought.
Honno chisana watashi datteEven if I’m just a tiny version of myself,
Dareka no pojitibu ni tsunagatteta omowaku dori niI was connected to someone’s positivity, just as they’d planned.
Yorikakaru furi o shitaI pretended to lean on them.
Yasashii hito no tsumori de nani o omotteru ndaWhat am I thinking, trying to act like such a kind person?
Yurameku awase kagami gaShimmering mirrors facing each other,
Hitotsu ni natta koto kara umareta kodocreate a heartbeat from the moment they became one.
Yonde maboroshi sawatteCall out and touch this illusion,
Hisoyakana yakusokuthis quiet promise,
Katachi no nai monothis thing without a form.
Mise kake dake tamashii koko ni arazuIt’s just a facade; my soul isn’t here.
Mata ichinichi sugiteku mujoAnother day passes in this heartless world.
Yume no tsuzuki wa kitto saatte ikuThe rest of the dream will surely fade away.
Arawarete arawarete ikuThey’re appearing, appearing now,
Sakki made no usothe lies I told until just a moment ago.
Toritsukuroi kimi no sugata moEven your appearance, all patched up and fake,
Kitto itooshii yois surely something I’ll cherish.
Michiteku awai shikisaiThese pale colors are filling up,
Katachi ni naru toki made tokimeki oazukeso I’ll put my excitement on hold until they take shape.
Sarasara no kinu sawatteTouch the smooth silk,
Azayaka na dekigoto koko ni azukeyouand let’s leave these vivid moments right here.
tatoushi Music Video
The meaning of ‘tatoushi’ is cherishing gentle illusions. The lyrics describe holding patchwork moments close, as Mari Fukushige delivers this Japanese song with soft intimacy.