Kazumasa Oda -- so far so good

 

One of the YouTube channels that I've been subscribed to for some months is the Japanese-language Yukkuri Fudosan（ゆっくり不動産...Laidback Real Estate） whose raison d'etre is to visit and tour some of the more unusual real estate properties in Japan, although in a few rare cases, the camera even goes overseas to cities such as New York and Honolulu. I've encountered an apartment with seven balconies in Tokyo, a unit whose bathroom is smack dab in the centre of the living room, and the above shows a tiny two-bedroom pre-fab home. The above is also one of the few videos that has English subtitles. 

Architecture and interior design have been more passing interests rather than ardent passions, so when I come across channels such as Yukkuri Fudosan with its light sense of humour and unusual looks at homes, I'm pretty much hooked. Touring through these places makes me wonder how I would entertain friends if I ever lived in them.

Strangely enough, TV Japan has been advertising one of NHK's dramas, an adaptation of a currently running manga titled "Shojiki Fudosan"（正直不動産...Honest Real Estate）. Starring Tomohisa Yamashita（山下智久）, formerly of the Johnny's Entertainment group, NEWS, it's all about a young go-getting real estate agent, Mr. Nagase, who will do anything to get a sale, including lie through his teeth. But then one day, he meets up with something supernatural and then he ends up not being able to fib no matter what, which forces him to change his approach to his job and presumably his life. It kinda sounds like the Japanese real estate version of Jim Carrey's "Liar, Liar".

Though I'm not interested in watching "Shojiki Fudosan", the theme song definitely has my ears and mind since it's created and performed by Kazumasa Oda（小田和正）. "so far so good" is a pretty lush and reassuring song about doing the right and happy things for people to become happy themselves. It's an ongoing process...taking it day by day, week by week, year by year. This is the type of song that Oda can whip up like the best meringue and it's always soothing to hear his voice in uncertain times.

"so far so good" has been available as a digital download single since April 13th this year. According to the J-Wiki article for the song, Oda had been informed that "Shojiki Fudosan" would be a comedy-drama, but even leafing through the source manga, he couldn't find anything really funny about it (the former Off-Course leader has always struck me as being a very serious fellow). However, he plowed ahead in making the theme song by going for a light and cheerful approach giving an impression of someone trying to be even a little helpful without causing any trouble.

I was wondering who was behind the chorus. Well, it turns out that it's actress/singer Takako Matsu（松たか子）and Sho Wada（和田唱）, vocalist of rock band Triceratops.