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: Lovely Words from Japanese Musicians (21–30)

You can decide for yourself where you belong.Ryuichi Sakamoto

"Your place in the world is something you can decide for yourself." — Ryuichi Sakamoto #Quotes #GoodWords #PhilosophyOfTheHeart

You can decide for yourself where you belong. Ryuichi Sakamoto

Ryuichi Sakamoto was a pianist and music producer who represented Japan.

He left us many globally renowned masterpieces, including Merry Christmas, Mr.

Lawrence.

His work as part of the musical group Yellow Magic Orchestra is also etched in the hearts of many.

This famous quote of his reminds us of the beauty of being true to ourselves and living as we believe.

Remember it when you’re making an important decision.

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I believe continuing is truly important. I try as much as possible not to create gaps that make people wonder, “What are they doing now?”Kazumasa Oda

Kazumasa Oda himself Kotoba ni Dekinai Full

I believe that continuing is truly important. I try as much as possible not to create gaps that make people wonder, “What are they doing now?” — Kazumasa Oda

Watch on YouTube: “I believe continuing is truly important. I try as much as possible not to create gaps that make people wonder, ‘What are they doing now?’ — Kazumasa Oda.”

To keep going— it sounds simple, but it’s hard.

Yet when we see someone else continuing, we feel encouraged; we think, maybe I can give it a try.

That’s why, says Kazumasa Oda, it’s important to keep going, to give courage to someone out there.

His enduring presence as a singer has stirred the hearts of many.

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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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If you can’t confess, can’t apologize, or can’t say thank you, then even if it’s just bluffing, when the moment really matters, let yourself get carried away and nail it. Otherwise, before you know it, the night will be over.TAKUMA（10-FEET）

10-FEET – goes on (LIVE)

If you can't confess, can't apologize, or can't say thank you, then even if it's just bluffing, when the moment really matters, let yourself get carried away and nail it. Otherwise, before you know it, the night will be over.TAKUMA（10-FEET）

Watch on YouTube: “If you can’t confess, can’t apologize, or can’t say thank you, then even if it’s just bluffing, when the moment really matters, let yourself get carried away and nail it. Otherwise, before you know it, the night will be over. — TAKUMA (10-FEET)”

This phrase is always said at Kyoto’s summer tradition, “Kyoto Daisakusen.” Like TAKUMA, when it really counts, both men and women should pull themselves together and look cool.

Every time I hear this MC, my heart trembles.

For those who always find themselves smoldering at crucial moments, I hope you’ll hear these words and draw courage from them.

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When you get to this age, you start to think that, somewhere along the line, you might be betrayed—even if you really trust the other person. But no matter how much you think you might be betrayed, I feel life becomes terribly lonely if you don’t have feelings of care for others.Hyde（L’Arc～en～Ciel）

VAMPS – AHEAD

When you get to this age, you start to think that, somewhere along the line, you might be betrayed—even if you really trust the other person. But no matter how much you think you might be betrayed, I feel life becomes terribly lonely if you don’t have feelings of care for others.Hyde（L'Arc～en～Ciel）

Watch “When you get to this age, you start to think that, somewhere along the line, you might be betrayed—even if you really trust the other person. But no matter how much you think you might be betrayed, I feel life becomes terribly lonely if you don’t have feelings of care for others. Hyde (L’Arc〜en〜Ciel)” on YouTube

Hyde, the vocalist of L’Arc~en~Ciel who is also active as a solo artist and in other bands, has been a driving force in Japan’s rock scene and works with many staff and peers.

This is a famous quote of his about how to treat people.

Even while thinking you might be betrayed, you still trust the other person and act with their best interests in mind.

It may sound obvious, but it’s surprisingly hard to put into practice.

Holding this mindset likely leads to being blessed with wonderful connections that won’t betray you.

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My father told me not to try to become something too easily. He said I should just have fun until I’m thirty. You can’t choose a job until you understand yourself—that’s what he meant, I suppose. And I feel the same way.Ryuichi Sakamoto

ryuichi sakamoto – rain(live)

My father told me not to try to become something too easily. He said I should just have fun until I’m thirty. You can’t choose a job until you understand yourself—that’s what he meant, I suppose. And I feel the same way. Ryuichi Sakamoto

Watch on YouTube: “My father told me not to try to become something too easily. He said I should just have fun until I’m thirty. You can’t choose a job until you understand yourself—that’s what he meant, I suppose. And I feel the same way. Ryuichi Sakamoto.”

What do I like? What am I capable of? What am I trying to accomplish in life? No matter how much I think, there are times when I just can’t picture my future.

On the other hand, there are people who have known their strengths since childhood and naturally follow that path.

But isn’t it true that, in this world, the former are far more common? We work without having all the answers and step out into society.

In such times, these words give me courage: it’s okay to walk slowly while searching for your own path—there’s no need to rush.

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Will you just give up easily, or will you stand up and say, “I’ll find a way to make this work”? I think the latter is easier.Namie Amuro

Namie Amuro – Chase the Chance

Will you just give up easily, or will you stand up and say, “I’ll find a way to make this work”? I think the latter is easier. Namie Amuro

Watch on YouTube: “Will you just give up easily, or will you stand up and say, ‘I’ll find a way to make this work’? I think the latter is easier. Namie Amuro.”

Rather than giving up, breaking down, and then going on living with regret and disappointment, it’s better to push through hardship and follow the path you believe in.

When someone like Namie Amuro—who has worked hard since childhood and raced through life on her talent and effort—says this, it really makes sense.

The words carry weight precisely because they come from her.

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