Song Introduction
Song Title: “22-sai no Wakare” (Farewell at 22)
Artist: Kaguyahime / Kaze
Lyrics and Composition: Shōzō Ise
Label: PANAM (Nippon Crown)
Overview:
Released on March 5, 1974, as part of Kaguyahime’s fourth album “Sankaidate no Uta” (Three-Story Building’s Song).
After Kaguyahime disbanded, Shōzō Ise and Kazuhisa Okubo formed the folk duo “Kaze” and released the song as their debut single on February 5, 1975.
It became a major hit, selling 708,000 copies and reaching high positions on the Oricon charts.
Lyrics Content
The song captures the heartfelt words of a 22-year-old woman as she decides to say goodbye to her partner.
After five years together, her feelings remain unchanged, but the relationship seems to lack a clear path to marriage, possibly due to her partner pursuing his dreams.
At 22, she chooses stability over romance, making the difficult decision to part ways, as she prepares to say “goodbye.”
The song vividly depicts an experience that many can relate to from their own youth, evoking memories and stirring emotions.
It beautifully encapsulates a poignant moment of youth and expresses it with a sense of bittersweet nostalgia, making it a truly remarkable and memorable song.
22-Year-Old Farewell – Wikipedia
Kaze (band) – Wikipedia
Kaguyahime (band) – Wikipedia
Shōzō Ise – Wikipedia
Artist Introduction
Kaguya-hime
Artist: Kaguya-hime (Second Generation: “Minami Kōsetsu and Kaguya-hime”)
Members:
Minami Kōsetsu (vocals & guitar), Shōzō Ise (vocals & guitar), Yamada Panda (vocals & bass)
Active Region: Japan
Active Period: 1971-1975
Official Site: Nippon Crown Introduction Page
Overview
In September 1971, Kaguya-hime made a re-debut with the single “Seishun” (Youth) after their initial debut in 1970.
In March 1972, they released the single “Umi no Triton” as the theme song for a TV anime, performed by Rika Sudō and Minami Kōsetsu with Kaguya-hime.
In September 1973, they released the single “Kanda-gawa,” which eventually sold 1.6 million copies and became a major hit.
Although they were invited to perform at that year’s NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen, they declined the invitation because the song mentioned a product name, “Kurepasu” (Craypas), and were asked to change it to “Crayon.”
The group disbanded after their final concert at Kanda Kyōritsu Kōdō in Tokyo on April 12, 1975.
Following the disbandment, Minami Kōsetsu and Yamada Panda continued their music careers as solo artists, while Masao Ise went on to form the folk duo “Kaze” and continued his musical activities.
Kaze
Artist: Kaze
Members: Shōzō Ise (vocals & guitar), Kazuhisa Okubo (vocals & guitar)
Active Region: Japan
Active Period: 1975 – 1979
Official Website: Nippon Crown Introduction Page
Overview
Kaze was formed by Shōzō Ise and Kazuhisa Okubo from the folk group Neko.
Their single “22-Sai no Wakare”, released in 1975, became a major hit, reaching number one on the Oricon charts.
Other notable songs include “Kaigan-dōri”, “Ano Uta wa Mō Utawanai no Desu ka”), “Sasayakana Kono Jinsei”), and “Kimi to Aruita Seishun”).
Although their activities were suspended in 1979, they reunited for a performance at the 10th Summer Picnic in August 1990.
Shōzō Ise
Artist: Shōzō Ise
Date of Birth: November 13, 1951
Place of Birth: Tsukumi City, Ōita Prefecture, Japan
Active Period: 1970s – Present
Official Website: ISE SHOZO OFFICIAL SITE
Overview
Kōsetsu Minami, who was a senior in the music club at high school in Ōita Prefecture, had already formed the band Kaguya-hime in Tokyo.
Kōsetsu invited Shōzō Ise, who had just entered university, and added Yamada Panda to re-form Kaguya-hime.
“22-Sai no Wakare” was one of two songs created for Kaguya-hime’s album “Sankaidate no Uta” by Shōzō, with the other song being “Nagori Yuki”.
Although there were requests for a single release, it was not released under Kaguya-hime and was later released as a single by the band Kaze.
However, it was not included in Kaze’s album “Kaze First Album”.
Because Shōzō thought that this song was essentially a piece from the Kaguya-hime era, which is why it wasn’t included in the album.
For those who spent their youth during that time, “22-Sai no Wakare” might be seen as a symbol of their youth.
Truly, is it only me who finds that just listening to the acoustic guitar intro can bring tears?
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