Japanese alternative rock band Hitsujibungaku continue to make a bigger name for themselves overseas. After debuting in 2011, the band has climbed the music charts with hits like “Burning” from the second season of Oshi No Ko and “More Than Words” from the second season of Jujutsu Kaisen. Originally a five-member band, only one founding member remains in the current three-member lineup of Shiotsuka Moeka (vocals, guitar, founding member), Kasai Yurika (bass), and Fukuda Hiroa (drums).
Their unique name combines the Japanese words for “sheep” and “literature” as a reference to the band that inspired their formation (S.R.S or Sleeping Rag Sheep) as well as the weight they put on lyrics. They traveled up from San Diego along the West Coast for their first US tour before wrapping up at Sakura-Con in Seattle. Although the members seemed shy and spoke limited English to the crowd, their fans were happy to hear them interact with them.
As they started off with their dream-like track, “Countdown,” the mood in the venue began to switch from the upbeat energy delivered by their opener, Jonathan Roy. As they continued with back-to-back performances from “GO!!!” to the instrumental song, “Yokan,” Hitsujibungaku displayed why they’ve had such strong appeal in the Tokyo underground scene. Weaving hauntingly personal stories into lyrics with a melancholy shoegaze sound, this Japanese band contains an appeal resonates across borders.
Even if they were nervous playing their first show in the US, the trio never showed it. With their usual confident flare, the three women picked up the pace as they mixed deep cuts alongside their top streamed songs. From the bittersweet lyrics of “Sabaku No Kimi He” to the optimistic outlook of “Hikaru Toki,” Hitsujibungaku imbues raw emotion and passion within the sounds of distortion in their grunge guitar and thoughtful lyrics. Interestingly, even during their most melancholic songs, the San Diego audience continued expressing a cheerful demeanor. At times, Moeka couldn’t help but smile at their international fans’ passion.
Closing their performance on the tear-jerking second ending song from the second season of Jujutsu Kaisen, the members waved goodbye as the crowd cheered more from them.
Returning quickly for two additional songs, the members bowed and thanked the audience for coming to see them.
As their first US performance, and as the first stop on their West Coast tour, Hitsujibungaku showed professionalism and confidence on stage. Fitting of their wispy, dreamy indie band image, the trio commanded awe and admiration from the crowd. Although there was a language barrier — and the three were likely overwhelmed or shy to express more than a few words — they never passed that nervous energy onto their concert. Hopefully they’ll be back for an expanded tour so their fans on the other side of the country can see them as well.
