BAND-MAIKO / secret MAIKO lips (Official Music Video) - Reaction with Angie

[@tonygriffin_]

Maiko are trainee geisha, which the hair decoration is a signifier of. The dresses were apparently rented, as they were in the range of $75,000 or so and they were awkward to play in. Lots of little 'in' jokes in the video - Akane, renowned for her appetite (cos she probably burns 10,000 calories per gig!), doesn't keep her composure like the others but tucks into her ramen; the game where Saiki flips a fan onto a block may be based on the game Menko, which is like Pogs used to be (remember them?!), or maybe something else that I don't recognise; MISA, famously barefooted, is wearing the traditional Geta or Zori sandal/shoe. The calligraphy that Miku is writing at the start translates as 'World Domination', which is obviously a prophecy of Band-Maid's future! This April Fool's joke was so good they released a 6 song EP by Band-Maiko!

[@otobokegaijin6218]

Maiko are trainee geiko---there are no geisha in Kyoto---the word "geisha" is never used in Kyoto. The hair decorations are not fully done, as maiko must keep their heads level and still, which obviously B-M can't, so the principal signifier of maiko status in the vdo is the design of the kimono (your "dresses"). In this video they're senior maiko, in the "Gion-cho" video junior maiko. The fan game is tosenkyo, not menko.

[@tonygriffin_]

@@otobokegaijin6218 Thanks for the extra info. I try my best to keep it simple when explaining so often use universal terms like 'dresses' so I can be understood easier by the person I'm addressing. Lecturing people is not so.ething I do since retiring as a teacher.

[@markmiyasaki6001]

Akane, the drummer, is known as a huge eater (5 bowls of ramen in a single sitting), so there's a running gag in their music videos when food is present Akane is the one scarfing down food. That's why when the girls are about to eat but freeze when they notice they're being watched, Akane just shrugs it off and starts to eat.

[@ShikataGaNai100]

She also did 120 bowls of wanko soba...beating SCANDAL's Haruno Ono's total of 100 bowls. Of course, Akane is 6" taller than Haru, so she had an unfair advantage. LOL BTW, Haruna and Akane are friends and shopping buddies.

[@Slippy6582]

@@ShikataGaNai100 True and some fans still fight, it is just the worst sometimes. We can be really thankful to have such talented bands out of Japan :)

[@ShikataGaNai100]

@@Slippy6582 I consider BAND-MAID and SCANDAL equals, not rivals.

[@0takuN64]

burning this many calories, i'd imagine she would have to eat this much lol

[@Indygt3]

They sings this version in "Kyoto" dialect (lyrics) while the original version is in normal Japanese. At least 5 sounds of traditional instruments are used here: "Shamisen / 三味線" (shape like a small square banjo MISA holds at 1:03), "Koto / 琴" (the one sits in front of Kanami at 3:05), "Tsuzumi / 鼓" (the one Kanami holds at 3:05), "Shinobue / 篠笛" (shape like a flute but made of wood or bamboo. sounds at 1:08 or other sections), and "Taiko / 太鼓" (a Japanese drum. a sound at 0:58).

[@javiervicedo4201]

Yes. Great imput. I was close to write the, same more or less, until I saw your comment. In relation to the flute...maybe shinobue

[@Indygt3]

@@javiervicedo4201 thanks! you're right! fixed my comment. :D

[@tombworld9012]

@@javiervicedo4201 For the flute samples I'm thinking a shinobue for the really high parts and a shakuhachi for the lower parts.

[@javiervicedo4201]

@@tombworld9012 Yes, I was doubting a bit as I am not an expert. Thanks for your info

[@tombworld9012]

@@javiervicedo4201 I'm no expert either, just interested.

[@nomennescio4604]

They are likely too nice or too subtle to really indict tradition here. They are actively playing with it though. They dolled up, changed their names to more like traditional Maiko names, rewrote "Secret My Lips" in Kyoto dialect (MIku did), and added traditional instruments ("wagakki"). And from what we know it's most likely Miku who came up with it. She actively loves this stuff, has her own favourite tea house in Kyoto that she visits annually etc. "The look" thing in the eating-scence is actually the common Band-Maid food-gag featuring Akane. Traditionally Geiko and Maiko are never seen eating in public, but here we are looking at them about to have a meal, and then they suddenly turn towards the camera and fixate us, disapprovingly (we are looking at something not meant to be seen) - except Akane, who goes "Screw it! I'm hungry!" and forges ahead.

[@GaryHolloway-810]

Akane said they couldn't play a show as BAND-MAIKO cos her Maiko traditional dress was so heavy that she could barely lift her arms to play the drums. Just saying.🤷‍♂️

[@johnmatthew102]

She had no problem lifting her chopsticks. :)

[@GaryHolloway-810]

@@johnmatthew102 HAHA. That's a different matter. Even if the Maids were holding her down, Akane could lift them all if someone wafted a bowl of ramen near her. 🦍

[@Kevin6059]

@@johnmatthew102 She actually does use chopsticks instead of drum sticks for all of the Band-Maiko songs. They just turn up the volume on the drum track really high...

[@TehPhysics]

Yay, you finally got Angie in on a BAND-MAID vid. I was hoping she would eventually get to see them. Don't forget 'Gion-cho', BAND-MAIKO's original song. Cheers!

[@micko11154]

GION CHO is a gorgeous song, one of my fave songs by these wonderfully talented and beautiful ladies!

[@JuanSan66]

Great job!. Cool genuine reaction. Thank you.

[@pohojisan1287]

I try to comment on Band-Maiko's reactions with this explanation, so some of you may have already read it, but I'll post it here as well. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ In all the songs of BAND-MAIKO, Saiki uses the word called "京ことば Kyo-kotoba(Kyoto dialect)". The Kyo-kotoba has many special phrases that are different from the so-called "Kansai-ben(Kansai region dialect. Kyoto is included in the Kansai region)", and even if you are from Kyoto, it is not a word that ordinary people other than maiko and geisha use on a daily basis. Many maiko are not from Kyoto, but when working as a maiko in Kyoto, it is not desirable to use the dialect of the region in which they were born and raised. Therefore, the training content of Maiko includes the acquisition of this Kyo-kotoba. The Kyo-kotoba is, so to speak, a "common language" for maiko and geisha. ※ "Maiko(Pronunciation is my-ko)" means a person in the apprenticeship stage of Geiko (Geisha).

[@yellowclip7862]

Such an enjoyable reaction. The genuine joy this band brings to people translated into a beautiful pair of smiles. 🥰 Thank you for this! 👍

[@Metal_Auditor]

I don't think it's meant as social commentary. I think it's just a fun experiment of combining traditional instrumentation and the maiko/geisha look with their rock music, not unlike what Wagakki Band does.

[@armynurseboy]

It was also meant as a prank.

[@noelle3551]

I would have liked to have seen the Shamisen player, Imagine if it was Ninagawa Beni!! The sound of the Shamisen add body to the whole tune!!

[@keithmeyer9558]

One thing that was missed is Kanami's charm point is her eyes . I think that is why she is the they use for the shot of her looking over the fan . It took them around 20 hours to shoot that video no outfit change .

[@JK-tz6kk]

I like this band as much or more than the other band, who will be tour these United States in the Fall. This band is so detailed, even with the Kansai lingo of the Mai-ko, Po! BTW, the Hi-ki-zu-ri style kimono they are wearing are super heavy, so they said they will not wear them in concert.

[@TheJerm]

Welcome to the Band-Maid train, Ang! There's always room for another Maidiac!

[@cygnetseven]

There is a Band Maid version of this song called Secret My Lips. As you said, they did this version as an April Fools gift to the fans. A year later they released a full EP as Band Maiko with Gion Cho as a video and single. In Japan, a Maiko is a Geisha in training. Their dresses are more colorful and youthful.

[@RollenGreenRants]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/bHuxnI2HaaaUj80

[@ShikataGaNai100]

BAND-MAID does not "indict;" they convict. LOL

[@PaulEngineer]

G'day RG! Glad you took this on! While a lot of people use the term "April Fools", I prefer a more subtle "April Surprise" and this their greatest musical surprise resulting in a whole EP integrating some traditional instrument sounds. This song is even sung in a different dialect to the parallel live song "Secret My Lips". There are also small clues to personality, like Akane having a prodigious appetite and continuing to eat when everyone else stops. The whole effect is beautiful - some others on the EP are one-off songs, (like Gion-Cho) adding to the unique experience.

[@gordonuyehara3562]

The Maiko version of secret MY lips was meant as an April Fool's joke.

[@gordonuyehara3562]

From the one behind the scenes video I've watched they seem to be respectful of the Maiko = apprentice Geisha culture. So I don't think they were making any type of commentary.

[@_JimS]

Kanami and a sound engineer dubbed in the traditional instrument sounds via synthesizer, from my understanding. Maiko is pronounced (Mike-Oh) "Secret Maiko Lips" was their 2018 April Fools bit for the fans, 2019 "Gion-cho" was their second Aprils Fools Maiko video in 2019, 2020 was Chinas April Fools with covid, 2021 was Miku's April Fools with her Cluppo Band "Peace and Love" video, ans 2022 was nothing really......that was disappointing but I guess they're getting ready for their upcoming tour.

[@GaryHolloway-810]

Cool comment, Jim.👍

[@GaryHolloway-810]

@@DMiyash248 No that's a great idea DMiyash. Or Maybe Ohrenje could do an awesome Cluppo/Miku anime interview. With some clever sound editing it could a great interview :)

[@otobokegaijin6218]

The Japanese instruments aren't synth samples but are taken from sound catalogues that all recording studios have handy. Kanami was helped by engineer Masayoshi Yamamoto, who's worked on a number of Band-Maid albums.

[@Greg-om2hb]

SECRET MAIKO LIPS is a BAND-MAIKO cover of SECRET MY LIPS with Kyoto-ben lyrics. GION-CHO is a BAMD-MAIKO original with an even more beautiful video. Check it out. BTW, BAND-MAIKO released a full album.

[@surfingasongwave]

I don't get the feeling they are commenting negatively on traditional Japanese culture at all, except maybe to point out the Maid Cafe culture in Akihabara has deep roots in the geisha/geiko traditions, serving customers food and drink and entertaining them with music and games. There's a youtube channel called "Let's ask Shogo" that covers (in English) many aspects of Japanese life. He has a playlist for Maiko, Geisha, and Oiran playlist?list=PLpIWoYf9KNFWx-_o1ZV0c1GHjDunzsUhf where he goes into some detail about them. For instance, as many others here have pointed out, maiko are apprentice geisha - they are typically teenage girls and therefore are still learning the finer points of how to be an entertainer. Since they don't have the sophistication of the older women, they make up for it by wearing flashy kimono, very long and fancy obi, putting bells in their wooden shoes and flowers and other trinkets in their hair, and generally banking on their youthfulness. Once they have become geisha, they will wear their hair more plainly and their kimono, obi, and other decorations won't be flashy, because they know they can keep their guests entertained with games, singing and dancing. They are adult women, thank you very much, and they can converse about adult topics with other adults like adults.

[@surfingasongwave]

Also, if someone knows please fill me in - Mom and Dad lived in Iwakuni in Yamaguchi Prefecture for about two years (before I was born). Mom was an art major in college and came home with quite a few art books. One of them (and I can't find it anymore) had a bunch of either watercolors or wood block prints by a famous artist of geisha in their everyday lives. It was somewhat scandalous at the time because the geisha were very secretive about their private lives. Some of the poses in this video look very familiar and I think they must be based on some of those prints.

[@surfingasongwave]

There is a game called "tosenkyo" (throwing fans) and Shogo has a video about that too: [kzbin.info/www/bejne/h361pYOtpZuHjc0] Apparently it was banned because people gambled on it.

[@threemonkeysk]

Misa and Kanami doing synchronized rock poses 8:00

[@ShikataGaNai100]

Miku's Shodo says, "World Domination." Warning: Do not get between Akane and food. Also, nice visuals of Kyoto Tower in the bakground.

[@me262talon2]

Thanks guys!

[@GaryHolloway-810]

Thx Talon.👍

[@tamotsuish]

It`s April Fools` Day`s song but so good. very good quality! this is very serious joke. Let` have fun together!

[@stefanbranden4898]

Akane is known for for her appetite and MISA is know for always being drunk!

[@bigbrutalbassbeer410]

Miku is fascinated with Kyoto and the geisha culture there stemming way back to ancient times when Kyoto was the capital city.

[@billhallisey7298]

Rollen, I hope you get a chance to react to "Sayonakidori", the official acoustic video now out on KZbin.

[@Parker--]

I think it’s just lightly poking fun and really just the humor in something that is supposed to be prim and proper and then not acting entirely proper.

[@clivematthews5296]

This is fun but prefer the live version that you played recently as Band Maid.

[@Raiden-R]

KIMONO ROCK♪