Band-Maiko / Gion-Cho MV reaction | Metal Musician Reacts

Sorry I've been absent... I had jury duty for a few weeks, so I'm catching up now. Enjoy this previously patreon-exclusive!
LIKE, COMMENT, and SUB!... please and thank you.
patreon: / thechampofmedium
www.paypal.com...
/ of_medium​​​​​​
#BandMaid #BandMaiko #Gioncho
***I don't own any of the music in this video. This video is intended to support the content, not recreate or use for personal gain.

[@TheChampOfMedium]

Kibs, the awesome dude that keeps requesting these, has commissioned me to check out the full World Domination album on Patreon this month. I'll be live streaming it for and posting after for $5 patrons if you wanna come join. Doing it tomorrow 9/15 at 1pm EST.

[@maurormatos]

The entire BAND-MAIKO album is awsome: TORA AND TORA (One and Only); AKASIMAHEN (Awkard); ANSAN (Anemone) plus Gioncho.

[@rickwagner-]

'Gion-cho' (Gion town) is the part of the old capital of Kyoto that is the heart of Geisha culture. Miku is from Kumamoto, but she is very fond of Kyoto and visits it whenever possible. BAND-MAIKO released an EP in 2019 with 'Gion-cho', 'Secret Maiko Lips' and 5 other BAND-MAID songs in MAIKO style. The other members were really surprised and impressed by Miku's lyrics and Kanami's arrangements for these songs. Kanami worked with a sound engineer to add virtual traditional instruments like the koto, shamisen and bamboo flute. Miku wrote Gion-cho (and reworked the original BAND-MAID songs) to use the Kansai dialect and phrasing from the Kyoto area and is identified with Geisha culture.

[@GaryHolloway-810]

In the "Making of Gion-cho" Kanami was playing along to the backing track & dropped the pick. Her kimono was so tight she couldn't bend down so a crew member had to pick it up for her whilst she giggled & apologised in her soft high voice :)

[@RevStickleback]

Did the "making of" also include the moment where Akane is laughing because MISA farted?

[@frankgonzalez4853]

@@RevStickleback it is the other way around Akane farted and MISA lost it . here's the clip 1drv.ms/v/s!AhxI_FqCubqEclN71DvVITOIUYY?e=Glzvrz

[@GaryHolloway-810]

@@RevStickleback Unless i missed it Rev. It was nearly a 30min doc that someone had uploaded & i was 3/4 thru when a "This video has been blocked" message appeared & it was removed. Bummer :(

[@GaryHolloway-810]

@@frankgonzalez4853 Maidiacs come thru as always. Thx Frank.👍

[@scottmcgregor562]

Great documentary. It is on Bilibili.

[@Tallas_]

" I would totally rock to a whole Band-Maiko album" So... anyone want to tell him?

[@PinD-PANIC]

There is one ... well 7 songs anyway ;) .

[@Kagdar]

I think he meant an entire original Band Maiko album rather than a remix of Band Maid songs. I agree with him, Gion Cho is my favorite song by far!

[@adilsonfernando1754]

Band-Maiko: Miku Kobato→Hatoko Saiki→Fujiki KANAMI→Kanoemi MISA→Umemisa AKANE→Akatsuki

[@David.Stainless]

Yeees i was waiting for this Reaction for soo long 😊 the Song is about the Town Gio and their loving People who a very guest friendly to People who come and visit them 😊 i really love the Bridge Part in that Song the most and of course Saiki's beautiful Vocals 😊 btw (if you didn't know yet) when the Members go from Band-Maid to Band-Maiko they have different Stage Names here they are plus the Meaning of the Names (taken from Reddit u/2_steamed_buns and slightly edited) : Miku = 鳩子 Hatako (baby pigeon,) Saiki = 富士姫 Fujiki (like the famous mountain, so the meaning hat recht could be 'Princess of many soldiers') Kanami = 叶笑 Kanoemi (Granting laugh) Misa = 梅美沙 Umemisa ( the kanji for plum is just added to Misa's name. Ume plums are used to make liquor) Akane = 紅月 Akatsuki (red moon/crimson moon)

[@a13xxgrey12]

Hello, thank you for the video. I would like to see your reaction to the performance of Diana Ankudinova. This young singer with an amazing voice and artistry will surprise you

[@glenkelley6799]

Great reaction and one of the best of the Maiko generation. Remember that a Maiko is an apprentice (in training) Geisha (very talented entertainer), the lyrics seem to be instructions on how to behave and what to do when entertaining "guests". The "raise you butt" lyric I've read should be translated more like "keep your back straight" or "stand up straight" type of instruction.

[@otobokegaijin6218]

It's literally "raise your rear end" in the Japanese lyrics, but the expression that's used is a very refined one that originates in the language of the ladies of the imperial court back in the days it was located in Kyoto - the geiko/maiko adopted some of the court ladies' terminology because their customers liked it. The word "butt" is a very poor translation of the word - basically that language can't be translated, and they shouldn't have tried. The Gion-cho lyrics are a mix of Kyoto dialect in an honorific, polite form and a number of the imperial court expressions adopted by the geiko - there's just no way you can translate that and retain any of the literary quality of the original.

[@glenkelley6799]

@@otobokegaijin6218 Thanks for the clarification, but it still defies understanding from a western point of view. Does it applied to someone standing or kneeling or walking? Japanese is such as wonderful, inscrutable language.

[@otobokegaijin6218]

@@glenkelley6799 Actually, the lyrics of the five non-video songs in the Band-Maiko album, even "Secret Maiko Lips", are suggestive in places - there's even English, like "Oh baby" in "Maiko Lips" and "You're foxy aren't you" in "Akasimahen" (the B-Maiko version of "Awkward") - the lyrics of すくりーみんぐ (the B-Maiko version of "Screaming") are rather sensual. Those are also written in the refined Kyoto dialect, but in a more familiar style than "Gion-cho". About the "raise your butt", I've seen where some commenters say it's meant to be sensual, but that's not the context of the verses that line is part of. The maiko depicted in the "Gion-cho" video are junior, not senior maiko as in "Secret Maiko Lips", and it's springtime, and it's about a new maiko saying to herself, "Okay, get up off your haunches, shift into gear, and get on with your new life", as she prepares to leave the okiya (living quarters) and literally and figuratively head down the road to a new assignment and a new life.

[@glenkelley6799]

@@otobokegaijin6218 Thanks again, that actually makes a lot more sense, standing up and taking that first step into a new life. Really appreciate your insights.

[@peepinR]

About time you reacted to this. I love this song!

[@thissailorja]

The "Raise your butt up" is a direct translation. It really means to stand up straight.

[@ericifune5543]

It actually has two meanings in this song as Miku is apt to do. One refers to the posture maiko must learn. The other is literally get up off to ass and do something with your life.

[@Mikupigeon]

Not many youtubers reacted to this songs but I really like it, maybe because I really like Kyoto for some reason, especially when it has less tourists.

[@Raiden-R]

Yehー！😆👍👍👍 Cool. Beautiful "KYOTO". The lyrics are KYOTO dialect. Thank you react.

[@rmdcade1717]

"Gion-cho" is a top-five song for me specifically because it uses the medium as a critical vehicle. The lyrics are straightforward, but their delivery, combined with the instrumental choices, invite the listener to interrogate and challenge the lyrical themes. (cf. Tool's cover of "Imagine".)

[@domker]

Traditional Japanese instruments add "extra color" to these brilliant songs.

[@SLKRR]

Don't know if it counts as a "whole album", but there is a 7-track mini-album of Band-Maiko songs.

[@mamiackerman_1004]

Thank you for reacting it xD

[@MoopOwO]

Not a lot of songs actually make me cry but something about this song always gets me. Its just a love letter to saikis hometown and the things she enjoyed growing up, but that no matter how much she loved it she had to leave if she wanted to follow her dreams. But of course leaving doesnt mean you forget where you came from and man that whole end part of saiki just thanking the town for making her the person she became...love it

[@rickwagner-]

"Its just a love letter to saikis hometown and the things she enjoyed growing up, but that no matter how much she loved it she had to leave if she wanted to follow her dreams" You're a bit mistaken about this. Saiki is from Yamanashi, on the island of Honshu. Although Miku was born and raised in Kumamoto, she has always had a special place in her heart for Kyoto, and that's what she wrote about in this song.

[@bigbrutalbassbeer410]

@@rickwagner- Rick Wagner san with the required gentle correction!💪🏻🤘🏻

[@wolfscoat6207]

I always fall in Love when Saiki sings her last words alone. Her voice and her beauty (she looks like fragile porcelain ) is not from this world.

[@cyberspooky]

No matter what they do they will sound like Band Maid , they have achieved their own sound , instantly recognisable 👍

[@Slippy6582]

Have you seen the Netflix movie "Kate", Champ? Band-Maid is in it, you should watch it :)

[@davidcanty7903]

As they rest drink Tea, Akane continues to have her noodles.

[@Gavrev]

The BAND MAIKO (mini?) album is a cool one. I love how they never miss a chance to have Ah-chan stuffing her face whilst the rest drink their green tea. They never let her off the hook do they? lol

[@785boats]

Yeah. I noticed that too Gavin & had a real chuckle to myself.

[@estherbrowne2017]

Good to see you back Champ....back with Maiko😎 flying 💋 5:51 to our Hatoko ..po😜awwww so sweet

[@forzikt]

First viewer! 😊 I waited so long for this one! 🤩

[@thunderchild7137]

Saiki's home town. The first capital of Japan and the first metropolitan city in Japan. The home of the Geisha and their apprentice Maiko. A very revered and respected position that were essentially trained hostesses and entertainers. The training was very serious and the women who became Geisha lived their entire lives by those teachings. So the respect that they show in this video is very real and is common in Japan.

[@rakjr6]

Nara was the 1st capital for about 70 years, then Kyoto became the capital for about 1,000 years and finally Tokyo in 1868.

[@mamiackerman_1004]

Saiki's home town is Yamanashi prefecture xD

[@rickwagner-]

@@mamiackerman_1004 It's only 400 km from Kyoto. : ) About 4 and a half hours by train.

[@mamiackerman_1004]

@@rickwagner- I don't know if you're talking about a joke or not, but for me as a Japanese, there is a big difference between Yamanashi and Kyoto prefectures. The culture and dialect are completely different, and the personalities of the citizens who live in them are also different. People in Yamanashi use the Koshu dialect, people in Kyoto use the Kyoto dialect, and even what they eat is different. As you know, Japan is a very small country, so it is normal to feel that 400km is a very distant city. I'm sorry to say a trivial matter xD

[@otobokegaijin6218]

@@mamiackerman_1004 申し訳ありませんが、たしかMamiさんは、「祇園町」のオフィシャルビデオのコメントに、京都の芸妓 (げいぎ) を"geiko"ではなく、"geisha"と呼んでいますね。日本人であれば、「芸妓」(げいこ) と「芸者」をきちんと区別するべきではないでしょうか？とくに、外国人向けに投稿する場合は大事なことと思います。

[@DaElfer]

I had to look up the ending and i loved that Miku put these details in. Gion is in Kyoto Yoroshuu otano moushimasu means “Thank you” or “best regards” or “I appreciate your cooperation” , etc…… “Yoroshuu otano moushimasu” is Kyoto area's accent. Specially Maiko is using this language.

[@JuanSan66]

Band Maiko doing Maiko things!!

[@crapstirrer]

They have different names for these maiko personas. I can't remember them off the top of my head and don't expect anyone to ever need to know them (especially after Cluppo the chances of them returning to the maiko theme are miniscule).

[@mrraiarj]

I like your comments , very detailing.

[@curtisrrobles7885]

UMEMISA!!! UMEMISA!!! UMEMISA!!!! 🥃🥃🥃

[@GaryHolloway-810]

Gosh i think it's the first time i've used the same comment in one day. But how many times do you see 2 reactions to Gion-cho :)

[@curtisrrobles7885]

@@GaryHolloway-810 I know right??

[@PaulEngineer]

What did I write last time?

[@curtisrrobles7885]

@@PaulEngineer I don't remember 🤔

[@sheldoncooper8199]

My God FINALLY

[@cactustactics]

I think the April Fools thing is a little misleading, it feels more like an opportunity for them to be playful and do neat surprises more than "lol pranked this is all a joke". So it's fun, but also a sincere attempt to make something cool that's outside of the normal band canon Revealing it by pretending they were changing the band name and the whole aesthetic permanently, now that was a prank

[@phaeron]

Is there any other option than to love them? And especially Saiki's a little softer voice in this song I just find wonderful. Almost seductive to my ears. :) Saiki has really grown on me and I admire her more and more every day. I am already very curious to hear what she has to offer as the sole lyricist on of the songs on their next single. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 「 'Our rock never dies ever. Forever!' 」- from BAND-MAID 'Manners' 🕊️

[@ElfInflicted]

I'm not sure how useful it is to compared Wagakki Band and Band Maiko. With Band Maiko there's some crossover in concept, but they're definitely still rooted in their Band Maid sound. I don't know that Wagakki Band pioneered this kind of cross-over in Japan, but they sure put it on the map. They're specialists and their arrangements are very much built around that. Now, a Wagakki Band/Band Maiko collaboration... now that would be something to see. Gets me all doki doki just thinking about it.

[@Betonwolke]

Einer der besten Songs von Band Maid, hier als "Aprilscherz" Band Maiko auftretend. Großartig.

[@thissailorja]

This is also sung using the Kyoto dialect. The welcome in the beginning & thank you at the end are different then "Regular" Japanese.

[@ShikataGaNai100]

The thing on the floor is a koto. The flute is a shakuhachi.

[@moclykim8220]

impressive

[@DavidMISAMISAMISACook]

Umemisa Umemisa Umemisa!

[@leekebot1802]

Time for a quick and dirty (and possibly inaccurate!) guide to pronouncing Japanese words! Most of their words are made up of two or three letter sounds. Most of the time ending on a vowel. So for instance ka, na, mi. Also the vowels will have the same sound when finishing those two letter sounds. The kA and nA have an "ah" sound for instance. In Gion-cho, you would divide it up gi with an ee sound (like like Lee), on (one of the rare vowel first sounds) which sounds kinda like own (not exactly but it sounds close enough for this lesson!) and finally cho. Where the o carries a hard o like "yo" has. So for MOST cases you can pronounce a Japanese word pretty safely by remembering the vowels sounds, and then dividing the word up by two or three letter sections. A sounds like "ah", e sounds like "eh", i sounds like "ee", o sounds like the o in "no", u sounds like "oo", y tends to be with more letters but get s "yeah" kinda sound to it, like a cat's meow in Japan is "nya" which sounds like "nnyeah" or just look up Miku playing with her cat, she says it to him. Hope someone found this helpful. It's accurate in my experience of trying to learn that very difficult language. But if I made a mistake somewhere.... I'm sure someone will come along and point it out. So it solves itself.

[@cactustactics]

Yeah it's helpful when you know the basics, it's fairly easy to pronounce stuff when you know the core sounds and how they go together. It's pretty neat! Technically the "n" is its own sound, so it's not that "on" is a vowel-first sound, it's gi-o-n, like three syllables (three morae really) so it's still following yr "ends in a vowel" rule! And that's why it sounds like "own", it's like "oh-n". This is all assuming Gion isn't an old Japanese word that follows different rules, like with the whole theme here, I'm not that advanced...

[@MauriceTituer]

I always had the impression the way to pronounce the vowels is pretty close to the way in French, but that’s where the similarities end.

[@hamadataro5969]

5:03 BANDMAID joke in MV We never eat noodles in tea ceremony Making fun of Akane’s big appetite

[@michaelpalmer3717]

The full geisha dress is very restrictive and weighs around 40 pounds. At around 4.50 Kanami is playing without her pick which she dropped and her kimono did not allow her to bend to retrieve it. A crew member retrieved it for her off camera. The weight of these kimonos exhausted them on the photo shoot.

[@mickyart]

AAAh finally ... great great great!

[@user-uu3cm9ee5s]

Please make a reaction to Diana Ankudinova, you will be amazed at her voice. No wonder Diana is called the queen of goosebumps.

[@otobokegaijin6218]

I don't know why, but there always seems to be misinformation in the comments whenever Band-Maiko is reacted to. Gion-cho isn't the "heart of geisha culture", as a few commenters repeat over and over. Kyoto people don't use the word "geisha". It's "geiko" in Kyoto - unless they're talking to clueless foreigners (and a few Japanese too, actually, particularly from Tokyo). I've been in the teahouses in Gion where geiko work, and I've never heard the word "geisha". "Geisha" is used in Tokyo and a number of other cities (at one time, "geisha" was used in the city of Osaka, near Kyoto, to refer to male entertainers - the history of the terminology is complicated). There are differences between Tokyo's geisha culture and Kyoto's geiko culture in terminology, manners, and customs - it's not all one cultural lump. Gion is one of the districts in Kyoto that have geiko/maiko establishments - it's not THE district (it is the best known though). I mean, if you're a fan of a Japanese band, and you dig the cultural references that are in that band's music, you might make an effort to learn about that culture.

[@tombworld9012]

Thanks for the information. It makes sense that the Nihongo structure would lend itself to both titles using '-ko' as the base term and 'gei-' and 'mai-' denoting different levels of accomplishment in the same field, although it's not something we would have picked up on naturally without understanding Japanese (which I don't, but I have a slight familiarity with hearing Japanese spoken outside of song lyrics...I wouldn't have anticipated the pattern, I just recognized it after you pointed it out). In English we have wildly different-sounding terms for various levels in a particular career, such as 'municipal specialist' being on the path to becoming a 'certified arborist,' so we wouldn't blink twice at 'maiko' being paired with 'geisha.' But...you don't know why we don't get everything exactly right? We aren't Kyoto people...for the most part we ARE clueless foreigners. If you say 'geiko' without explaining it we won't have any idea what that is, but we've all heard of geisha and can instantly grasp the concept. If you want to explain to people that there's more to it than our basic understanding, that's great...but make sure you're adding depth to their knowledge, not tearing down the 'mostly correct' of what they know. I mean, if you want people to learn about a culture, you might make an effort to not come across as looking down on them.

[@otobokegaijin6218]

@@tombworld9012 Don't mean to come across that way, not "tearing down" anything. But why not make the effort to learn and use the terms the Japanese use about their own culture - if it's "geiko", why not learn "geiko"? If you "are clueless", as you affirm, is that by choice?

[@himbo754]

I really like Gioncho. It is different, but still classy Band Maid. And yes, I would like a whole Band Maiko album. They are great.

[@DougguoD]

1:49 Speaking of Band Maid..... who's that look like 🎵 😄 👀 And then the singer.... oh, I don't peruse the internet enough 😆

[@RafaelToledoM]

I love this song and the last minute and half are just "cheff kiss". What's the music at the end of the video?

[@avader5]

In 2019 and 2020 on March 31rst (think April fools) they came out with a song dressed as Geishas. It is too bad they did not do one this year.

[@thomasrotweiler]

Ah those traditional Japanese instruments, all lovingly sampled and arranged on Kanami's computer to tastefully decorate the song. Here's four Japanese musicians using traditional instruments to play "Stairway to heaven" kzbin.info/www/bejne/e4TUaWeriNlsn6M

[@andymac0035]

Loving all the BAND MAID content on this channel! Just got into them this year and just cannot get enough! I don't know if you can react to concert video on other channels, but this one of their song "Clang" has a mind-blowing intro and I'd love to see a reaction to it. I hope they eventually do an official live version of this song with this intro. kzbin.info/www/bejne/on3QYY2JZ9SHoJo

[@joki5346]

They only played this particular intro on their 2019 European tour (London, Paris, Bochum and Hamburg) and never again after that, to my knowledge. So only the fancams are left, but there are a lot of them in good quality. I recomment "Moratorium" from that tour with another incredible beginning.

[@andymac0035]

@@joki5346 I'm guessing you mean this one? kzbin.info/www/bejne/iKnQg5yNfb9miqs oh my yes! the intro @ 7:25 is awesome! I'd love to see that reacted to as well.

[@joki5346]

​@@andymac0035 Exactly, and as I live between Bochum and Hamburg, I have of course been to both concerts (with Vladimir). That's why it's especially fun to watch reactions from both concerts. There are a few reactions to the Hamburg video, that I have found, namely from GazMASH, Old Mr B, Boogie Tyme and michael4011. It is a lot of fun to watch kzbin.info?search_query=Take+me+higher%2F+Freedom%2F+Moratorium++Reaction Boogie Tyme is a must !!!kzbin.info/www/bejne/iWfQepR7l7uchdk

[@andymac0035]

@@joki5346 You and Vladimir are very fortunate, I wish I could have seen that tour (thankfully I at least can see the videos of it). I hope The Champ Of Medium will react to some of those videos that Vladimir put up.

[@russ_henry]

There is a whole album of this stuff. Yolo, anemone, awkward, one and only, etc… all re-done in this style. They are also singing in the old Kyoto (Kansai) dialect of Japanese for even more coolness :-)

[@RevStickleback]

I think on that album 'Screaming' is the next best song. The others feel a little forced in places, but still interesting.

[@russ_henry]

@@RevStickleback I didn’t really like Screaming until the Maiko version, that changed everything for me. I love The Awkward and Anemone versions, they are probably my favorites on the whole album

[@stealthcabbie1336]

You my not "Hear" Kanami, but you are definitely listening to Kanami. In itself this is a great Band Maid/Maiko song.... different but great.... it's on many...??? come to think of it, it's on all of my (cross platform)play lists. Nah, seriously, this is a very, very cool song. They have a Band Maiko EP..... A very, very cool EP. Gion Cho however is the only "original" song on the release.

[@RudiTheMan]

Not only they sing with traditional sounds, they also sing in slang

[@johnnylaroux9517]

LeCHAMP!

[@TheGlashare]

"This is a good bass line"... Well... that's the only kind she has...

[@screamindemon71]

Look up Band Maiko on Spotify. You're welcome 😎

[@Blanzalot]

WE love Band Maiko. Now did you see Kate yet?

[@sendarian]

Still is amazing how Band-maid's "april fools" are better than most bands regular music. This one is one of my favorites. I know Cluppo is out but really I want to see some more band maiko. Did you see mamamoo posted their newest MV and album today? Solar Solar... anyway Miku if you read this react video comment, Band Maiko again please.

[@williambradley6736]

5:35 :D

[@ChronoFalco]

Can you react to Bridear's new song Brave New World revisited as well as Mary's Blood's new song Starlight.

[@LeoGer94]

Please, make a reaction to the songs of the singer Diana Ankudinova.

[@eddiekim6885]

please react to mors principium est - The everlong night melodic death metal band from finland.

[@peterlee6921]

Very sad song !

[@2abug]

BAND-MAIKO could have dominate the world but music was just a hobby for them. Their real goal has always been to become geishas and serve masters and princesses of Kyoto. I hope that one day, I could fly to Kyoto and have the privilege to be served by KANOEMI, the most beautiful living creature of all the multiverses

[@GaryHolloway-810]

UMEMISA has promised me a ashiatsu back massage. Just saying :)

[@2abug]

@@GaryHolloway-810 😒

[@PinD-PANIC]

What did you expect BAND MAID to sound like? Elvis Presley :p ?

[@hammerhiem75]

I would love for you to react to another Japanese band than are much more on the pop rock side, but I think you would very much enjoy Polkadot Stingray: telecaster stripes - kzbin.info/www/bejne/aZLHZYGpet5kqsk

[@falagar4567]

4:49 I guess you confused Kanami with Akane in the captions. During the rare part where Kanami is playing without a pick. Shame! 😜

[@Sakuder]

Band-Maid +Lisa , ok

[@sheldoncooper8199]

I exspected at least 1 comment on how beautiful they look especially Kanami She looks like a totally different women.

[@sjnix7044]

DEFINITELY not Wagakki Band and the comparison actually hurts this song. I'm one of the biggest Band Maid fans around but I've never warmed up to this project. Musically and conceptually it's fine but it pales in the blinding brilliance of Wagakki Band. You nailed it when you pointed out the flute. It isn't doing anything to move the song along. It is just kind of there and overly bright in the mix. I don't hate it (that's reserved for Start Over) but Maiko doesn't hit my happy place.

[@jay_g1984]

Again with this Band Maid crap.🤦‍♂️