25th Anniversary Collaboration Bangle: Inspired by Flower Language

Yoji Yoneyama (hereafter, Yoneyama)Congratulations on your 25th anniversary! Thank you for the opportunity to create a commemorative item together.

CharaI usually wear small, layered pieces. M.A.R.S. also made earrings for me to wear just below my earlobes before. But, as Yoneyama-san knows well, I tend to lose accessories. Everyone scolds me for having too many replacements (laughs).

YoneyamaThere's a saying that accessories can be substitutes, isn't there?

CharaExactly. When I'm on tour, my fingers seem to get thinner, and they fly off during live performances. Sometimes they break too.

YoneyamaFrom our perspective, you're a great customer (laughs). But it's wonderful to see our familiar products take on your unique color when you wear them. One of M.A.R.S.'s concepts is to "be something that adds brilliance to a person's character." In that sense, you perfectly imbue them with your own style. Your pink hair suits you so well.

CharaHahaha.

YoneyamaBut you've been so active for 25 years.

CharaI work at my own pace. I'm not an artist who plays huge venues. Speaking of which, did you ever make music, Yoneyama-san?

YoneyamaI was in a band when I was a student... it was a typical experience. Like a childhood illness.

CharaBut you have an admiration for music, don't you?

YoneyamaAbsolutely.

CharaI understand that completely. Most people in fashion love music.

My Approach to Time Changed After Having Two Children

YoneyamaPeople like you, Chara-san, who live with that youthful passion, shine brightly and are incredibly inspiring. During our meetings, I'm often surprised by the words that come up. This bangle was born from the desire to embody those moments of passion.

CharaI work in a single stroke. I use the vibe of the day and draw quickly. I don't know much about the technicalities of accessories, so I just expressed my thoughts to Yoneyama-san.

YoneyamaIs that "single stroke" style like an initial impulse?

CharaYes. If I want to connect it, it can go on forever. If asked to draw within a canvas, I can contain it there.

YoneyamaHas this style been with you for a long time?

CharaHmm, my approach to time changed after I had my two children. I became able to do things even in short periods. Perhaps I naturally developed the practice of working within limited time.

YoneyamaPerhaps it's not that your time became shorter, but that you became able to live your daily life with your reception channels open? That might have allowed you to condense your thinking time. But were you able to do that immediately after having children?

CharaI grasped it quickly. At first, I was making music with headphones on and didn't notice my child crying. After that, I decided to set aside specific times and work in an external studio. Now that my children are older, I work at home too.

Page02. Rediscovering Past Works Revealed What Remains Unchanged

Rediscovering Past Works Revealed What Remains Unchanged

YoneyamaIs your current activity for your 25th anniversary related to your children getting older?

I had a similar experience last year. I held an archive exhibition at Isetan, and since I was the only one who knew the brand's history, I selected the pieces myself. It brought back many memories of that time.Chara

I prefer creating new things, but when given the opportunity to revisit past works, I realize they're better than I remembered, or that they haven't strayed from my core. Even as production techniques evolve, I discover elements that remain unchanged. So, it was a valuable experience.Yoneyama

In my case, I thought, "It's good I didn't cut corners." I realized I put my heart into it each time. That's something only I know... But back then, while hoping to sell well, I also had a part of me that thought, "I'd hate it if it sold too well." There was a sense of wanting to be an outsider, a bit contrary.Chara

I feel that way about a few songs on an album. It's not so much contrariness as it is part of my identity. I'm influenced by various genres, not just punk rock, but also soul music, funk, and classical. So, it comes out as a mixture. I feel that I am more than just this, more than just the easily understandable.Yoneyama

What was the catalyst for you to start making music, Chara-san?Chara

I attended music classes where we had composition assignments when I was little. I also played piano until around the second year of junior high. The teacher's house where I took lessons was a Western-style mansion with two grand pianos. I liked going there because I felt I could become more refined. But one summer day, while practicing in a sleeveless dress, the teacher's spit flew everywhere as he hummed melodies like '♪ Dalilalilalilali~'. I couldn't stand it and quit (laughs). I was at that age.Yoneyama

Hahaha. But those turning points led you to where you are today, right?Chara

If I had gone to music college, I might have quit music altogether. Even then, my interest was shifting towards pop, rock, new wave, and synthesizers.The Budokan Live Performance, Which Had Been Sealed Away, Was Surprisingly Entertaining Upon Re-watching

Yoneyama

When you first formed a band, weren't you embarrassed to perform in front of people?Chara

I was a cheerleader and generally enjoyed being in front of people. So, that wasn't an issue.Yoneyama

I was the type who couldn't look at the audience's faces.Chara

CharaWhen I sang at a live house for the first time, I was so bad that I sang with my back turned. Also, before my debut, there was a showcase for industry people. The moment the curtain rose, I was so intimidated by the audience that I pulled the microphone away (laughs).

YoneyamaThat happened? I can't imagine it.

CHARAMy condition for the first Budokan concert was terrible. I had just found out I was pregnant that day, so I was unstable, and it became chaotic midway through.

YoneyamaWas it overwhelming?

CharaI was anxious, and the staff were arguing about something else backstage, among other things. Last year, it was shown in cinemas for one day and also released on DVD.

YoneyamaWhat made you decide to release it?

CharaUpon re-watching it after a long time, I found it surprisingly interesting. At the time, I cried watching that footage, so my agency had it sealed away, saying it shouldn't be released. Then, time passed, and when the stage director who handled the production passed away, I happened to watch it again and thought, "This is actually good." But there were no immediate plans to release it. Then, during discussions for the 25th anniversary, when they asked if there was anything special, I suggested showing that Budokan performance.

YoneyamaWhat caused that change in your feelings?

CharaI'm still evolving and feel more at peace now. I suppose it's because I could objectively see it as interesting. The music is groovy and funky, with youthful energy.

YoneyamaWow, I should watch it sometime. After that, you raised a son and a daughter. Have you learned anything about the differences between men and women?

CharaEveryone is different, so I don't think it can be easily categorized. I only had a younger sister, so I didn't understand men very well. After my son was born, I started thinking, "Men are so silly~" (laughs).

YoneyamaWill that be useful for your next romance?

CharaPerhaps. I also think it's good when my children say, "You suit each other, Mom." Children see through things. Also, when I write lyrics, I'm often inspired by the simple words of children. When I was younger, I didn't want to use common phrases. But after having children, I became more attuned to everyday words and my vocabulary expanded.

Within "Sadness" Lies Positive Affection

YoneyamaYou always write lyrics that delve into yourself, but isn't that process painful?

CharaI dig deep. If I don't reset properly, I might fall into depression. But in my case, I have live performances and other things.

YoneyamaYou truly are a stage performer. Looking ahead, how do you want to age and live your life?

CharaI don't think too far ahead... I feel that life isn't that long, so I want to live each moment to the fullest, live without ignoring love, and approach romance without fear of failure.

YoneyamaYour lyrics often have a sense of "sadness."

CharaI dislike the kanji character "切る" (kiru - to cut) being used, but it's also the "切" (setsu) in "大切" (taisetsu - precious). It also implies earnestness. Newborn babies can't stand immediately like animals and require constant care; they are truly fragile beings, but they strive hard.

YoneyamaSo, it's a positive kind of sadness.

CharaGenerally, "sadness" implies unrequited feelings, right? But for me, it's more like "bittersweet" in English. It contains a positive sentiment of cherishing something.

YoneyamaI see. Hearing this makes me want to listen to your songs again. Thank you for your time today.

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