Akira Fuse -- Tsumiki no Heya （積木の部屋）

I came across Akira Fuse's（布施明） 32nd single from watching NHK's "Kayo Concert"（歌謡コンサート）last night, when the big man himself appeared to perform this very song. I just loved the rush of brass at the beginning and the end of "Tsumiki no Heya"(Room of Toy Blocks), and the lyrics by Mieko Arima（有馬三恵子） (melody by Makoto Kawaguchi｛川口真｝) probably had couples at home holding onto each other a little harder after a listen to this sung tale of a domestic tragedy.

Released in March 1974, Fuse sang the verses almost as a soft folk song as he first described a man's memories of him and his then-wife (or girlfriend) when they moved into their small cramped first apartment together, enjoying each other's love and company despite their spartan surroundings. However, as Fuse gave his full operatic voice to the refrain, the man was back to his lonely present as he wondered if only either of them had been stronger in the relationship. Ironically, Kawaguchi's melody came out as nearly defiant at that point.

"Tsumiki no Heya" became the 9th-ranked song of 1974, selling over half a million singles. It also earned Fuse his 8th straight appearance in the Kohaku Utagassen. Fuse would have a very long run in the annual NHK special; from 1967 to 1980, he made 14 consecutive performances.  In total, he has made 25 appearances.

It must have struck Fuse as somewhat ironic to have performed this particular song on "Kayo Concert", considering that he just got re-married to singer/tarento Yukari Morikawa（森川由加里） on April 15th. Let's hope that neither of them believe in the concept of the jinx.