Wonderful quotes and sayings

Quotes by artists. Wonderful words from Japanese musicians.

10 years as a kindergarten teacher / elementary school teacher / junior and senior high school teacher / childminderkepiko
Graduated from Kunitachi College of Music, Faculty of Music (now: Department of Music Culture and Education, Early Childhood Music Education major). In elementary school, my homeroom teacher was Jun Kusaba, a game researcher. After graduating from university, I worked for 10 years as a kindergarten teacher and for 7 years as an after-school childcare instructor, then took a post as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I also engaged in activities that shared Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational play, working with many children. Afterwards, through freelance writing, planning, and editing work at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and conveying ideas. Leveraging the perspective cultivated in educational settings and my experience as an editor, I aim to deliver practical information—focusing on fields related to music and children—that values both input and output. Hobbies include instruments, singing, handcrafts, toys, drawing, traditional play, the outdoors, books, DIY, and crafts. Special skill: spinning-top tricks.
Editor-in-Chief, RAG MUSICHane Keisuke
Editor-in-chief of RAG MUSIC. JFC-certified fact-checker. After working in a music studio and handling wedding sound, joined the RAG MUSIC editorial team in 2016. Experienced with a variety of instruments: marching band in elementary school, clarinet in junior high school wind ensemble, and drums in a band from high school onward. Drawing on my own musical activities and the experience gained through my work, I produce daily articles, including various song introductions, features on music festivals around the country, and live reports. In music, I enjoy not only rock from Japan and abroad but, lately, a wide range of J-pop as well.

In this article, we’ll introduce many memorable quotes from artists active in Japan.

When you’re going through something difficult or dealing with worries, many people lift their spirits by listening to their favorite music.

But musicians don’t just leave us with great songs—they also leave us with many wonderful words.

The quotes we’re about to share are all words that can serve as support in life.

I’m sure you’ll find something that resonates with your heart, so please take your time and enjoy.

Quotes from artists. Wonderful words from Japanese musicians (31–40)

Call it the talent of believing in yourself or just conviction, but anyway, people who think “I might not be good enough” or “I’m just okay” are clearly weaker than those who think “I’m the strongest.” Without that kind of confidence, I don’t think I could’ve made it this far.Kiyoshiro Imawano

Slow Ballad / Kiyoshiro Imawano

Call it the talent of believing in yourself or just conviction, but in any case, people who think “I might not be good enough” or “I’m just okay” are clearly weaker than those who think “I’m the strongest.” Without that kind of confidence, I don’t think I could’ve made it this far. Kiyoshiro Imawano

Watch “Call it the talent of believing in yourself or just conviction, but anyway, people who think ‘I might not be good enough’ or ‘I’m just okay’ are clearly weaker than those who think ‘I’m the strongest.’ Without that kind of confidence, I don’t think I could’ve made it this far. Kiyoshiro Imawano” on YouTube

One’s own ability is something that’s hard to judge.

Even then, those who can think, “I’m the best,” are strong.

Even if it’s a bluff or a lie, if you believe in yourself, the path will open.

The words Kiyoshiro Imawano left behind are all warm and encouraging.

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Maybe it’s okay to choose to do something not because you have talent, but because you don’t. That’s what I think.Gen Hoshino

Gen Hoshino – Koi (Official Video)

Maybe it’s okay to choose to do something not because you have talent, but because you don’t. That’s what I think. — Gen Hoshino

Watch “Maybe it’s okay to choose to do something not because you have talent, but because you don’t. That’s what I think. Gen Hoshino” on YouTube

If you’re someone dedicated to sports, studies, or a hobby, you’ve probably had moments when you felt on the verge of giving up.

In times like those, this quote can lift you up.

These are the words of Gen Hoshino, a multi-talented singer-songwriter, actor, and author.

In fact, when he once aimed to become a writer, he was told he had “no talent,” and he left this quote as his answer to that.

Perhaps it means that persistence matters more than talent.

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It is precisely because people keep changing that they can remain the same.Yumi Matsutoya

Yumi Matsutoya – Come, Spring

It is precisely because people keep changing that they can remain the same. — Yumi Matsutoya

Watch “It is precisely because people keep changing that they can remain the same. 松任谷由実” on YouTube

These are the words of Yumi Matsutoya, who has been active as a singer-songwriter since 1972 and has remained at the forefront of the music scene for many years.

Throughout her long musical career, she has undergone various changes.

Yet her appeal as a singer continues to shine unchanged.

From these words, you can sense the message that by staying flexible and continually adapting, you can preserve what truly matters.

Conversely, it also means understanding the points you absolutely do not want to change—or should not change—and that may be a person’s greatest allure.

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Life is something that’s given to you without your choosing, so it’s okay to pursue it on your own terms. There’s a right to pursue happiness, isn’t there? That’s what I thought.Ringo Sheena

Ringo Sheena – Life Is Full of Dreams

Life is something that’s given to you without your choosing, so it’s okay to pursue it on your own terms. There’s a right to pursue happiness, isn’t there? That’s what I thought. Ringo Sheena

Watch on YouTube: “Life is something that’s given to you without your choosing, so it’s okay to pursue it on your own terms. There’s a right to pursue happiness, isn’t there? That’s what I thought. Ringo Sheena.”

No matter how many people are around you, even if you have family, in the end you have to chart your own life.

Chasing your dreams, pursuing happiness, even becoming someone’s sacrifice—ultimately, these are all choices you make yourself.

Life itself is already a lucky gift, so you might as well live it to the fullest—these are words that really lift your spirits.

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Life is tough enough as it is, so I can’t be agonizing over every little thing. I’ve got to keep smiling.Ken Yokoyama

Ken Yokoyama - Ricky Punks III (from the film Ken Yokoyama: Shippu Keisou Chapter)

Life is already tough enough, so I can’t agonize over every little thing. I’ve got to keep smiling. Ken Yokoyama

Watch “Life is tough enough as it is, so I can’t be agonizing over every little thing. I’ve got to keep smiling. Ken Yokoyama” on YouTube

These are quotes I’d like people who are struggling or feeling lost to hear.

Most of the hardships we think are uniquely ours are probably things even those big-name artists have felt.

It would be great to have the strength to laugh things off even at times like that.

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We didn’t know the route from here to there, so we just blew it hundreds, thousands of times and learned it with our bodies, didn’t we? But now it’s like, “To get from here to there, you just walk this way.” “Oh, I see.” You understand it in your head first, and that’s the end of it.Sadao Watanabe

Sadao Watanabe Live in HK #1 ~ California Shower

We didn’t know the route from here to there, so we just messed up hundreds, thousands of times and learned it with our bodies, didn’t we? But now it’s like, “To get from here to there, you just walk this way.” “Oh, I see.” You get it in your head first, and that’s the end of it. Sadao Watanabe

Watch “Sadao Watanabe: On YouTube, ‘We didn’t know the route from here to there, so we just blew it hundreds, thousands of times and learned it with our bodies, didn’t we? But now it’s like, ‘To get from here to there, you just walk this way.’ ‘Oh, I see.’ You understand it in your head first, and that’s the end of it.’”

Sadao Watanabe (born in 1933), affectionately known as Nabe-Sada, has been active as a jazz-fusion saxophonist and flutist.

He reminds us that, above all, mastering a skill requires thinking through how to make it possible.

Whether in music or anything else, people often give up quickly when they can’t do something; his words chide me for always looking for shortcuts.

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There comes a time in everyone’s life when you just have to knock on the door. And knocking takes courage—it’s scary. You wonder what’s going to happen. That’s where people split into two kinds: those who knock, and those who don’t.Eikichi Yazawa

Eikichi Yazawa - Tomaranai ha~ha

There comes a time in everyone’s life when you just have to knock on the door. And knocking takes courage—it’s scary. You wonder what’s going to happen. That’s where people split into two kinds: those who knock, and those who don’t. Eikichi Yazawa

Watch on YouTube: “There comes a time in everyone’s life when you just have to knock on the door. And knocking takes courage—it’s scary. You wonder what’s going to happen. That’s where people split into two kinds: those who knock, and those who don’t. Eikichi Yazawa.”

When I was young, the future was dazzling and I lived without knowing fear.

But when I tell myself, “All right, walk on your own two feet,” I can’t help slipping into defense rather than offense.

I want to try this, but there’s the risk.

In those moments, do you stop, or do you step forward? These are words that rouse my spirit.

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Everyone’s fighting their own battles every day, right? Don’t you dare lose. When it’s tough, lean on your family or friends. And if there’s no one to lean on, lean on music. That’s what I’ve always done.Takeshi Hosomi (Ellegarden)

ELLEGARDEN “Windy Day”

Everyone’s fighting their own battles every day, right? Don’t you dare lose. When it’s tough, lean on your family or friends. And if there’s no one to lean on, lean on music. That’s what I’ve always done. Takeshi Hosomi (Ellegarden)

Watch on YouTube: “Everyone’s fighting their own battles every day, right? Don’t you dare lose. When it’s tough, lean on your family or friends. And if there’s no one to lean on, lean on music. That’s what I’ve always done.” — Takeshi Hosomi (Ellegarden)

In life, we sometimes have to face pain, worries, and inner conflicts.

When things get really tough, we naturally want to lean on someone, but some people may find themselves smoldering in silence, unable to talk to anyone.

In such times, if you listen to these words and ELLEGARDEN’s music, they will surely help support your heart.

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Life really is like the flow of a river, isn’t it? Sometimes straight, sometimes winding, sometimes wide, sometimes narrow, sometimes fast, sometimes slow…Hibari Misora

Ai Sansan Misora Hibari Love Brilliantly Hibari Phoenix

Life really is like the flow of a river, isn’t it? Sometimes straight, sometimes winding, sometimes wide, sometimes narrow, sometimes fast, sometimes slow… Hibari Misora

Watch “Life really is like the flow of a river, isn’t it? Sometimes straight, sometimes winding, sometimes wide, sometimes narrow, sometimes fast, sometimes slow… Hibari Misora” on YouTube

There are many famous quotes that compare life to something, but among them, this one strikes deepest.

These are the words left by Hibari Misora, a legendary singer dearly loved by many.

When you think of her and rivers, the famed song “Like the Flow of the River” naturally comes to mind.

Taking into account those lyrics that liken life to the flow of a river, it seems this quote was spoken with a quiet, heartfelt weight.

Why not reflect on your own life and compare it to the flow of a river as well? You may find yourself able to see things on a grander scale.

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Humans will inevitably face death someday. That fear is always there, and at times I find myself wondering what I’m living for and feeling like giving up. But then I pause and think: hold on. I’m able to do so many enjoyable things while I’m alive—doesn’t that make it all right?Taro Hakase

Taro Hakase Passion Continent [OFFICIAL]

Humans will inevitably face death someday. That fear is always there, and at times I find myself wondering what I’m living for and feeling like giving up. But then I pause and think: hold on. I’m able to do so many enjoyable things while I’m alive—doesn’t that make it all right? Taro Hakase

Watch on YouTube: “Humans will inevitably face death someday. That fear is always there, and at times I find myself wondering what I’m living for and feeling like giving up. But then I pause and think: hold on. I’m able to do so many enjoyable things while I’m alive—doesn’t that make it all right? Taro Hakase.”

In the end, happiness probably comes down to how much you’ve been able to do things you truly enjoy in life—these words make me feel that way.

They seem like guidance for how to live and what it means to succeed.

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