What is Ruritama?

Hello hello~ It's the clown kei specialist again! Hahaha

While Da'vid/shito:aL, Pleur and Kuro Pie are the most "well known" "clown kei" bands, another less known band existed as well, I'm talking about Ruritama!

Tbh I don't think many people ever heard of Ruritama before, since "clown kei" is a pretty niche vk genre (even if it's pretty much a created name to explain that trend in the first place) Since their music is very soft and cute, it's a big contrast with usual vk fans.

Anyway, first they look like this

Aren't they just beautiful?? 

So their names are :
Vocalist : Fujinosuke (Fukko-chan)
Guitar : Monjirou (Mon-san)
Bass : Shuugorou (Goro-chin)

For a long time I didn't know who was who on the pictures, and seemed that noone online did either... But now we know because of the chanchan booklet :

(first page from the booklet of their album chanchan, it mentions briefly the members and that the discrepancy between the lyrics sheet and the songs were intended... Why did you do this to me Fukko...)

From left to right, the drawing represents Shuugorou, Monjirou and Fujinosuke and if we base the drawing on the pictures I showed earlier

Then it would be Shuugorou, Fujinosuke and Monjirou.
And now on their multiple demo tapes pictures, it's actually written on it! So on all of them from left to right it's Shuugorou, Monjirou and Fujinosuke. Fujinosuke being the one on the cover and who has the most costume changes...

And by costume changes I mean EVERYTIME I see a demo tape of Ruritama, Fukko-chan always has a new look!! HOW MANY VARIATIONS OF THEIR DEMO TAPE EXIST?? (I want them all)

That's all the ones I found so far... (online and 3 of them are my own scans) those are just variations of 3 demo tapes... HOW MANY COSTUME DOES HE HAVE WTF
Like you can see that they reuse the same things in different way, but it's still impressive

ANYWAY

Musically, like I said earlier, their sound is pretty soft and cute with traditional japanese music influence mixed with carnival/clown music, which is pretty unique and fun to listen to imo

They released 2 demo tapes: Katsuo no Arake Zuribushi (The Bonito Scraping Songs) and Wakame no Aramo Mitsubushi(The Song of Vigorous Rubbing of Wakame Seaweed), then released a compilation of the 2 demo tapes on the same cassette

Then they disbanded after cancelling their album, to release it a year later. That album is called Chanchan.

The drawing is just so cute omg

The album compiles all the (6) songs from the demo tape (except the instrumentals "No ni Saku Hana no You ni"(Like a flower blooming in the field) and "Naginata, Kuwagata, Kabutomushi・・・ Onbasha no Kaza Kuruma"(Polearm, stag beetle, rhinoceros beetle... Onba's decorative cart)) and added 8 new songs! That's a lot!

Other than the lyrics of the songs (we'll get to that + the translations soon don't worry) we also learn that the 3 members of Ruritama are actually siblings

(From left to right, up down : Ruritama's sibling bathtub adventures, 2-year-old Fukko with his beloved fox Koro, Ruritama's siblings with their strict father and Ruritama's sibling swimming tournament in kappa-filled water)

(Pictures under credits and thanks, from left to right : Goro-chin before Kyogen performance, Mon-san gifted education spot and Fukko-chan before stage rehearsal and outing)

Ever saw a visual kei album with baby pictures before? LOL I remember being very confused the first time I had this album in my hands LOL

Also I wanted to point out that in the demo tape, they mention that they are all reached the age of 18? I feel like it's a weird comment to add, especially since most bands try to hide their ages in general...

So seeing all that, you might think “how cute! It's going to be happy and magical like Syu~Furumaa~Jyu right??” well while their song musically gives that vibe, their lyrics are actually sad or melancholic. (I'm a sucker for that kind of contrast)

I took the time to upload all their songs on YouTube for your convenience this time. (since those are all my own rip this time)

It's important to note that I translated the chanchan versions of the lyrics because, as much as they have many discrepancies, my guess is that it's the final version, and he added corrections to his texts to make its meaning more clear? 
Oh also, again, my actual Japanese skill level is pretty low, I used multiple translators and tools to make this, so there might be errors and if you want to help it would be greatly appreciated! (Tools used : Google translate, Google lens, Yomiwa, Romajidesu, DeepL, ChatGPT + my own knowledge of the band and japanese culture/language)

The first track is called Ruritama Sankyoudai Kyousoukyoku (Ruritama three siblings competition song), I'm incredibly sad that this song is not in the lyrics sheet, and that my japanese isn't good enough to translate by ear (I mean I could transcribe some parts of it, but I might have got some words wrong either way, so I don't feel confident in doing that yet) aaaaah

Anyway, I love this song so much, and always makes me wonder if Shuugorou is actually a girl? I really don't know

Meshi tsukai
(Meal preparation)

Okozukai wa taite… katta o yofuku. Odekakeyou no fuku…
Spending my allowance... bought some clothes. Clothes for going out...
Iji demo sukaretai.. jama wa shinai kara…
I want to be liked no matter what... I won't be in the way...

Sentaku datte kitsuri yarimasu.. kakujitsu desu
Even doing the laundry, I do it thoroughly... it's certain.
Dakara… misutenai de!
So...don't give up on me!
Shippai, hippari dashite "kore wa nan desu ka" tte
You pull out a mistake and ask, "What is this?"
Kowai kao de niramarete mo…
Even if you glare at me with a scary face...
Yappari dare yori mo suki na hito
Still, you are the one I love more than anyone else
Dakara.. dakara..
That’s why.. That’s why..

Osara tsukai datte, ote no mono desu… omigoto desu!
Even cooking, I’m good at it... splendid!
Dakara… misutenai de…
So... don't abandon me...
Shippai hippari dashite "kore* wa nan nan da~" tte
You pull out a mistake and ask, "What is that?"
Tokui na ryouri kenasu kedo…
Even if you mock the dishes I'm good at...
Demo..
But…
Yappari dare yori mo suki na kata dakara.. "Gaman~"
Still, you are the one I love more than anyone else... "Endure~"
"Katsu shioppai, shippai da~" tte, yuka ni hikkurikaeshite
"Salty, it's a failure~" I flip it over onto the floor
Nioi zokin.. nageru kedo..
Throwing a smelly cloth...
Yappari dare yori, suki na hito dakara…
Still, you are the one I love more than anyone else...
Dakara… dakara… dakara…
So… So… So…

*Said “kore” instead of “are” like it’s written in the booklet

Already, this song set the mood for Ruritama. Now from my understanding, there's 2 way (or more) of interpreting their lyrics : either it's talking about a lover if we keep an adult/teenager's mind, or it's talking about a family member (most likely his grandma) if you think with a kid's mind. 
If we take the adult's mind : This song seems to be about a relationship that is going sour and the anxiety of going to a possible break up.
If we take the kid's mind : A kid from a strict family is just trying its best to be loved by its parental figures.
As the songs goes, don't hesitate to make your own interpretation and share them with me!

(this song is also on Katsuo no Arake Zuribushi)
Na no Hana
(Rapeseed flowers)

Tsukarete taore sonna　junpaku no　monshiro choucho
Tired and exhausted, she collapses... The monochrome butterfly in pure white
Yake no hara　Hayaku nuke dashite…　Hikari ga sasu midori no oka e…
Escaping from the burnt field quickly… toward the green hills where the light shines...

Nigeteshimai sou imanimo……Sore no kurikaeshi…
Seems like running away... even now... it tries again...
Tsukarete, kujike souna　Junpaku no mon shiro choucho
Tired and on the verge of giving up, a pure white butterfly
Nigeteshimaitai　Sugu ni demo…
Wanting to escape, right away...
Konna kuzu o　Hagemashite kureta…suteki na hito*
Even in such a state... Encouraged by a wonderful woman
Na no hana no youna, kaguwashii sono kami ni furete…
Touching her hair, fragrant like rapeseed flowers...
Aita mama no　Kowareta tobira de sae, chotto zutsu
Even the broken door that's been left open, little by little...
tojiteiki sou…
Seems to be closing...

Tsukarete, taore konda　Junpaku no　monshiro choucho
Tired, it fell down, a pure white butterfly
Donna toki datte, yoko ni ite... Chikara　kureta…
Always by my side... giving me strength...
"Makecha dame yo！" tte... Subarashii hito* ni deaetekara …
"Never give up!"... since meeting that wonderful woman...

Na no hana no youna, kaguwashiki sono kami ni furete…
Touching her hair, lovely and fragrant like rapeseed flowers...
Aita mama no　Furubita tobira no mae…Ippo zutsu　Arukidasu…
In front of the open, old door... taking one step at a time…

Na no hana no youna, uruwashiki yawahada ni furete
Touching her skin, beautiful and soft like rapeseed flowers
Aita mama no　Kowareta tobira de sae mo…
Even the open, broken door...
～Sugu naoru deshou*2
~ It will heal soon

Na no…*3　Hana yori mo, masshiro na　Kenage sa de…
Rapeseed flowers... whiter and more earnest than any other flower...
Dare ni mo, yuzurenai takara mono…
A treasure that no one can give up...
Akogareteita monogatari… Furidashi kara, monogatari no
Longing for the start of the story
Hajimari… Hajimari……
To begin… To begin……

*Says “hito”(person), written “josei” (women)
*2 Seems to say « deshou » but « deseu » is written in the lyrics
*3 Written "Nani mo" after "Na no" but doesn’t say it

I swear I did try to find a synonym for the rapeseed flower, but it's just the name of it LOL...
This song is very metaphorical, so a meaning is harder to give out, but if we continue with the different mindset :
Adult/Teen mindset : Fukko(?) is the butterfly and the woman is his lover, and it's a metaphorical song about his own feelings toward life and her. 
Kid mindset : Fukko(?) is the butterfly still, but the woman is his mother figure (or his grandma) encouraging him to push through the struggles in his life.
Either way, I love this song so much, the lyrics are so beautiful, and I love the image it creates

(Fukko's 2-year-old baby picture)

Oyomesan wa?
(Where's the bride?)

Fukko (as a Kyuushu boy) : "△〇※□✕…．"*

Juu nen datte no kimi mo kagayaiteimashita..
Even after ten years, you were still shining brightly...
Majime dake ga torie no boku ja oki ni meshimasen ka?
Does it not please you that I'm only serious?

Mukashi mukashi, obaa chan wa kawa ni sentaku ni
Long ago, grandma did laundry by the river
Mukashi mukashi, ojii chan wa yama ni shibagari ni…
Long ago, grandpa mowed grass on the mountain...
Honobono to shita ohanashi demo nan ka migi kara hidari desu…
Even heartwarming stories seem to go in one ear and out the other...
Uma no mimi ni nenbutsudesu.　Sonna ima mo…
It's like saying Buddhist prayers to a horse's ears.. Even now...

Juu nen datte mo kimi wa o kawari naidesu…
Even after ten years, you haven't changed...
Tete go no sobokuna shiawase ga yomigaeru no desu..
Simple happiness revives...
Sorosoro irokoi zata nado wa yame ni shimasen ka..*1
Isn't it about time we(or you or I) stopped these love troubles?
Mura hazure.. Yama ni komotte tsubo yaiteimasu.
Outskirts of the village... Living in seclusion in the mountains, baking pots.

Teinen natte mo kimi wa　Okawari naideshou..
Even after reaching retirement age, you probably won't change...
Ha nukedearou ga shinaga*3 de mo kawaranu omoi de..
Even if you have missing teeth or gray hair, my feelings will remain the same.
Somosomo mudana keiken wa hitsuyou nai desu..*2
In the first place, unnecessary experiences are not needed...
Mura hazure no yamagoya de takibi o shite matsu…
Waiting by the campfire in the mountain hut on the outskirts of the village...

"Yogoreta otona ni nante naritakunai sakaita."
Fukko (as an unorthodox kid) : “I don't want to become a dirty adult.”*

Waka kari shiki*4.. Otouchan no hana wa pecchanko..
In the younger days... dad's nose was flat...
Urara wakaki*4.. Okaachan no mabuta, ito*9 dattanoni..
In the beautiful younger days... mom's eyelids were single-layered...
Nantomo hohoemashii koukei datte nan ka uso ni mietekimasu..
Even the most heartwarming scenes seem to look like lies...
Atasha nara no daibutsu ni naru
I'll become the Great Buddha of Nara...
Sonna ima*5 mo.. Ima demo..
Even in this modern day... even now...
Ima*5 demo..
Even in the present day...
Hyaku nen tatte mo sarani kagayaku no deshou..
Even after a hundred years, it will shine even more...
Shiwakucha darouga hakuhatsu ga nanbo no mondesu..
Even with wrinkles or gray hair, it doesn't matter...
"Nanbo no monchai！"*6
Mon-san (as a male actor) :"It doesn't matter!"
Onawa ni natte mo ii n janai？Hitosujinan da mon！
Even if I'm forced to retire, isn't it okay? I'm single-minded!
Memeshii nante iwasenai.. kyuushuu danjidesu.
Don't call me effeminate... I'm a Kyushu boy.
" Osu！"
Karateka : “Osu!”
Nan sai ni datte mo kimi ga, toshi o toranai no wa..
No matter how old you become, you never age...
Sunaona kokoro no araware de bunka isandesu.
It's a sign of your honest heart and cultural heritage.
Kou narya netakiri no "washi" mo
In this state, even a bedridden "I"...
Icchoura*7 ni kigaete..
Change into my finest clothes...
Koyoi koso wa to, baasan ni kimochi uchiakemasu..
Tonight, I'll confess my feelings to grandma...
Naganen no omoi o..
My long-cherished feelings...
Mura hazure no abaraya made.. Mura no hazure no umagoya e…
To the rundown hut on the outskirts of the village... to the horse stable outside the village...
Onppa*8 shite
Carrying me on its back
Yukimashou ka….
Shall we go….

*Those lines are mentionned as “narration”, the first one was written instead of the actual transcription of what Fukko is saying at the beginning of the song, and the second one, sounds similar to what he is saying for the first part.
*1-2 lines were mixed up in the booklet
*3 Booklet says 白髪 but pronounce shinaga instead
*4 doesn't pronounce 頃(koro)
*5 pronounce 現代 as «ima»
*6 Doesn't sound like what he's saying in the song...
*7 He says 一張羅 (Icchoura) instead of 一番上等の晴着 ( Ichiban joutou no haregi)
*8 Booklet says they say おっぱっぱ (Oppappa) instead of おんぶ (Onbu) but really sounds more like a mix of both : Onppa
*9 Booklet says 一重瞼 but pronounce ito

THIS LYRICS SHEET IS A FUCKING MESS AAAAH
Anyway LOL
Adult mindset : A surprisingly conservative song about growing old and being like its grandparents, dreaming about a simpler life.
Growing old with the person he loves, probably living in the countryside. The line "Tonight, I'll confess my feelings to grandma..." might be him calling his lover grandma as he calls himself "washi" which is a old way of saying watashi (I), meaning he's old now too
Kid minsdet : A kid loves his grandma a lot and cherises his life on the countryside. Learning about his grandparent's life journey is inspiring, and wants to be acknowledged by them.

(This song is also on Wakame no Aramo Mitsubushi, also this song is often miswritten as "Takara sekibako")

Housekibako
(Treasure Jewelry Box)

Akari mioroshite Kata narabe Terenagara hanasu…
Overlooking the lights, shoulder to shoulder, we talk shyly...
Tsunoru fuan Sute Hou wo Honoka ni somete..
Casting away the growing unease, blushing faintly…
Subunure no kotori Kasa mo motazu ni…
A drenched little bird, without an umbrella to take shelter from...
Mada, ienu kizu o Kakimushiru dakenanoni
Picking at its wound that hasn't healed yet
"Itsumo, arigatou…"
"I’m forever thankful…”

Kirakira O hoshi sama..　Kawaranai Kono fuukei..
Twinkling, the stars... this unchanged scenery...
Aishitekureta koto… Kureta, subete nokorazu..
For loving me... for giving me everything…
Ho.u.se.ki.bako
A treasure jewelry box

Ryoute de. Fusagu mimimoto de, dashita toi no kotae, sasayaku
With both hands, blocking my ears, the answer is whispered
Tamerai mo Sutete "Koko ni Iru yo" to, anata..
You, who, without hesitation, said, "I'm here ♡".
Subunure no kotori Sasu kasa mo, okizari ni shite..
A soaking wet little bird, leaving behind the umbrella...
Mada itamu kizu o, saka naderu dake…
Still caressing a wound that still aches...
"Nanoni itsumo, arigatou"
"Yet, I'm always thankful"

Kirakira O hoshi sama… Kawaranai Kono keshiki
Twinkling, the stars... this unchanging landscape
Aishitekureta koto… Kureta Musuu no yume to
You loved me... and gave me countless dreams.
Housekibako..
A treasure jewelry box...

Furue no tomaranai Kotori..Idaki yoserukedo…
A little bird that cannot stop shaking... I embrace it, but...

Mada Iyasenai kizu o Kakaeru kimi ni
To you, still carrying unhealed wounds,
Nani mo dekinakatta Keredo…
I couldn't do anything, but...

Hondo ni kokorokara… Annani mo Aiseta koto..
But what you did for me... was to love me so much... with all your heart.
Tsukushitekureta koto… Kureta subete nokorazu..
All the things you did for me... all the things you gave me...
Housekibako ni Tsumete, nemuini tsukou…
I stuffed them in my jewelry box and went to sleep…

(Many little typing error in the booklet that I fixed in the romajis)

This song can go in many direction tbh, so those are just my theories...
Adult mindset : Him and his lover saw a little bird and compared it to probably himself? The bird represents someone fragile who's still thanful of being taken cared of and life in general, but nobody can heal its wounds. 
Kid mindset : Him and his friends or lover find a little bird that might be representing his now fragile grandma. A strong-willed woman who doesn't want help but is at the end of her life, keeping all her memories to him in a jewelry box. (Maybe this meaning makes more sense for me, since my grandma was someone like that)
I love this song so much

(If it's teru teru bouzu, they mispelled it, which wouldn't surprise me at this point...and since it's apparently intended, maybe it's to reminisce on the kind of spelling mistake they would do as kid?)
Teru teru bouzu
(A traditional handmade doll as charm for good weather)

Uraniwa de hitoyasumi no ikkyuu-san.. manmarugao mo byouki shite, nasubi tsura
Taking a break in the backyard, Ikkyuu-san... even his round face is unwell, wearing an eggplant-like expression.
Atama, marumete mo.. Kokoro irekaete mo.. Ayamaru sube* no nai boku wa
Even if I roll my head... even if I change my perspective... I have no way to apologize...
Ame no naka datteiru…
Standing in the rain...
Nokishita de amayadori, oshou-san..waratta kao mo dokokashira, sabishigene
Taking shelter from the rain under the eaves, there's the monk... his smiling face somehow lonely.
Hanataba youi shite, omiyage youi shite… Saenai tsura*2 de ame no naka
Preparing a bouquet, preparing a souvenir... with a dull expression in the rain
Kyou mo, tsuttatteiru…
Today too, I'm standing there...
Hayaoki no hi..Mizu tamari no hi..
Day that I wake up early.. Day full of puddles..
Ni～*3 jikan matte ano hito wa, mada konai*4…
Waiting for two to four hours, that person still hasn't come...
"Ashita tenki ni shite okure…”
“Please make it sunny tomorrow…”

Nebusoku no hi.. mizu tamari*5 no hi..
A day of sleepless nights... A day after the rain...
Kyu jikan matte ano hito wa, mada konai..
Waiting for nine hours, that person still hasn't come...
Nagagutsu no hi…Ame agari no hi*
On a birthday... Day to wear rubber boots...
(Mou kore ijou mattatte…)*6
(Even if I wait twenty-four hours...)
Tabun..Konai..*7
No matter how long I wait, she probably won't come...

Kami o kirimashita…*8
I cut my hair...
Ame agari ni wa..*9
On the day I shaved my hair
Mou…
I’m done… (it could be translated to “Man…” in a way that you’re so done with everything)

*Pronounce 手段 as sube
*2 Pronounce 顔 as tsura
*3 Ni~Yon is written in the booklet but only says Ni
*4 Written korenai but says konai
*5 Written Ame agari, but says Mizu tamari like the line a bit earlier
*5 Written Otanjoubi before Nagagutsu but doesn't says it, then says Ame agari no ni which wasn't written on that line
*6 Written Ni juu yon jikan, but says something like Mou kore ijou instead
*7 Written Dore dake matte mo kanojo wa, before Tabun, but doesn't say it
*8 Pronounce Kami no ke as just Kami, also mentionned that he shaved his head to look like a chestnut
*9 Written Marubouzu no hi and says Ame agari instead

That one was also a mess to put in romaji LOL
Adult mindset : My interpretation of this song would be that following "Meshi Tsukai", Fukko's lover broke up with him and she doesn't come to meet him so he could apologize. The song in between could be just to give more dept to understand his feeling for her and their relationship, but this song is back to the "present".
Kid mindset : The monk could be actually preparing a funeral. Cutting/Shaving your hair in japan often means wanting to start anew. I'm not sure who he's waiting for if it's the meaning tho... Unless the monk being here means that he just learned that he was waiting for nothing because the person coming (his grandmother) is already dead.

(This song is also on Katsuo no Arake Zuribushi)
Wo hiru sagari
(In late afternoon)

Aru hareta hirusagari ni, fuwari, tatazunde
On a clear afternoon, I stand there, gently,
Potsuri, namae o yobuyo…
Softy, calling your name...
Wake mo naku Tadayotteita, "Doko e mukau no？"
Drifting aimlessly, "Where are you going?"
Fukuramanai… Sonna fuusen dakedo…
Not inflating... like a balloon that won't swell...
Toaru, ame Ori yamanai gogo… Fuari, soto ni deta
On a certain rainy, endless afternoon... I stepped outside

Jiwari, komiagete kita yo… *
Slowly, it welled up... "Hey..."
Ate mo naku Tada yotteita Odayakana nagare ni…
Without aim, just getting drunk on the gentle flow...
Yukusaki mo, chizu mo nai, tabi dakedo… "Utaitainda！"
No destination, no map, just a journey... "I want to sing!"

Kongari komugiiro*2 no hada, mata Sotto nadetayo
I softly stroked your golden, wheat-colored skin again.
Itsuka chikatta Ano omoi wo, mata kami shimeta
Savoring the memories of those vows made long ago, once again
Kogecha ni Hiyake shitaato… Mata, sotto Nazoruyo…
After being tanned to a dark brown... again, I gently trace it...
"Mugiwaraboushi ga hoshii…" Koharubiyori…
"I want a straw hat..." in the warm days of autumn...

Yaku mo naku, samishiikedo.. "Heccharadayo！"
Without reason, it's lonely, but... "I'm fine!"
Nazenara, boku ni wa, omoide ga arukarane..
Because, you know, I have memories...

Kongari komugiiro* no hada, mata Sotto nadetai*3 yo
I gently stroked her fox-golden brown skin again.
Kaori mo, aji mo, nakunaru made Mata Kami shimete…
Until the scent and taste disappear, once again, I savour those memories...

Kogecha iro ni Hiyake shita ato… Mata Sotto, nazoruno…？
The mark that was tanned to a dark brown… again, gently tracing them...?
Ano hi, kawashita yakusoku… Mata Omoidashite wa…
The promise I made that day... I think of it again...

Hareta hirusagari… Mata Sotto, nazotta…
In the sunny afternoon... again, softly, I trace...

*Written «Nee...» but doesn't say it
*2 Written kitsuneiro but says komugiiro
*3 Written nadeta yo, but says nadetai yo

In both mindset : He comes to "accept" their separation is real but still daydreams and longs for her and their moments together, be it as lovers or as family members, as breakup or as death.
But also could be about Koro, his pet fox that might have left him.

Nadegata
(Rounded shoulders)

Eigazuki na kimi to deai Eigazuki ni natta boku wa
Meeting you, who loves movies, I became a movie enthusiast
Ima ja taiiku suwari, sankaku suwari shite
Now, sitting cross-legged, sitting comfortably
Denki, keshite miru suna arashi…
Turning off the lights, I watch a sandstorm…
Kimi to boku no eien no ai wa Ittai doko e icchatta ndarou？
Our eternal love, where on earth has it gone?
Ima ja kinjo no kouen de koinu o hirottekite
Now, picking up a puppy at the nearby park,
Onaji namae o tsuketeiru shidai sa…
I'm giving it the same name…
Ikitsuke no mise, chuukaya no tenchou san
The manager of the Chinese restaurant from our usual spot
"Nanda ka saikin, konai kara shinpai shitai* yo" nante
Said "Recently, you haven't come, so I got worried..."
Shokuji mo nodo o touranai anata to hanashitai
Even meals won't go down; I want to talk with you
Hakanai… Onegai… Douka kiite kudasaimase
Fragile… Please… Please listen

Dakeredodenai tsunagaranai…
But it doesn't connect... It doesn't link…
ra.re.ri.ru.re.ro.re.ro.rarirurero △※✕〇□◇
Kiraida iya datte~iwanaide
Don't say you hate me, even if you do
Madamada sukinan desu…
I still love you...

Karaage bentou zukina kimi to deai Karaage bentou zuki ni natta boku wa
Meeting you, who loves fried chicken bento, I became a fan too
Ima ja gamaguchi wo nigiri shimete hashiru Chuushoku*2 doki no senshi！
Now, gripping the metal clasp, I run, the warrior of lunchtime!
Kimi to boku no towa*3 no ai wa Ittai doko e icchattan darou？
Our eternal love, where on earth has it gone?
Ima ja juu hachi man yen de koneko made kattekite
Now, buying a kitten for 180,000 yen,
Onaji myou ji o tsuketeiru shidai sa…
I'm giving it the same name...
Chuushajou made no me to hana no saki no kyori ga
The distance to the parking lot, just a stone's throw away,
Hitsuji ni naku touku kanjiru no wa naze？
Why does it feel farther than ever?
Chotto*4 dakede iikara koe ga kikitaino
I just want to hear your voice a little bit...
Kami-sama… Onegai… Douka kanaete kudasai
God... Please... Please grant my wish

Kakeredode nai… Detekurenai…
But it doesn't ring... It won't come through...
Pa.pe.pi.pu.pe.po.pa.po Papipupepo？
Kirai yo iyayo to iwarerutatte
Even if you say you hate me,
Sore demo sukinan desu…
I still love you...
Kakete mo kakete mo, kakakakakakaranai
Dialing and dialing, but it won't connect
Denpa no mukou de nani nu ne no？
What's beyond the radio waves?
Mo～ Iyayo iya yomo suki no uchi？Sou omou shika nai ndesu…
Even within 'I hate it, I hate it,' there's 'liking,' right? I can only think that way...
Madamada, soudesu sukina ndesu.
I still, yes, I still love you.
Daisuki nan desu.
I love you dearly.
Hotate ni, fugu nabe, chuuka donburi ga dai koubutsu
Scallops, blowfish hot pot, Chinese bowl – I love them all...
Sore yori mo anata ga suki♡
But I love you more ♡

*Written shita yo, but says shitai yo
*2 Written 昼飯 but says 昼食
*3 Pronounce 永遠 as Towa
*4 Written Choi to but says Chotto

This song... it's hard to read it in a different mindset than an adult mindset because of the "eternal love" and the "ghosting" kind of vibes from it
It starts with a call not going through with an automatic voice message saying something like "this number is unavailable", so Fukko(?) tries to call again and again longing for her voice, going to places she might be, because he still loves her.
Before the 2 last line, Mon-san says something about Ruritama being a daily kid show and that they are going to be on (tv?) everyday, or something like that, if someone wants to give me a more accurate translation, you're welcome to do so haha. That said this is clearly an imitation of a character from a kid show, since, obviously, Ruritama isn't a kid show haha

(this song is also on Wakame no Aramo Mitsubushi, some people call it Renge hata, tbh idk which one is more accurate)
Renge hatake
(Lotus field)

Kawaita gareki no yama ni, umore souna…
On a dry pile of rubble, about to be buried...
Renge o tsumu, osanai shoujo…
A young girl picking lotus flowers...
Inaka no hatake wa, arasarete Muragoto yakare sou
The rural field, ravaged, seems about to be burned with the entire village
Kanari, yatsureteru* kiyorakana kimochi
Considerably worn, a pure feeling...

Hitsuji, oukakete, hashiritsuzuketa
Chasing after a sheep, I continued to run...
Sasa no fune ni notte, yurayura Yurareteitai
I want to ride on a bamboo raft, swaying, swaying, swaying.
Ano ko ni ageru, kono kubikazari..
This necklace to give to that person...
Makeshirazudatta, kakeashi…
Unyielding, in a sprint...
Saku o, yoji nobotte Nozoki komeba
I climbing over the fence, peering in,
Atsui o keshou te*2 Nakayoshi, koyoshi…
Wearing heavy makeup, I see good friends, close and cozy...
Kawaita gareki no yama ni Umore souna…
On a dry pile of rubble, seeming to be buried...
Renge o tsumu Osanai shoujo…
A young girl picking lotus flowers...
Inaka no hatake wa, arehatete Muragoto moyasare sou…
The rural field, desolate, seems about to be burned with the entire village...
"Demo anshin shiteite ne…"
"But rest assured..."
Ame no hi mo Kaze no hi mo Soko ni irukara…
On rainy days, on windy days, I’ll be there...
Kawaita gareki no yama ni, umari souna
On a dry pile of rubble, seeming to be buried,
Renge o tsumu Osanai shoujo…
A young girl picking lotus flowers...
Ato o tsuketekuru Kuroi kumo…
A black cloud following her...
Nigirikobushi de, naguritobashitai！
I want to punch them away with clenched fists!
Asa ga konakute mo ano mama no Aozora, oyoi deitai
Even if morning doesn't come, I want to swim in that unchanged blue sky
Semete aoi deitai
At least... I want to look up
Naki souna kurai Nietagiru Kuyashi sa koraeta
Almost crying... enduring the boiling frustration
"Kao, agete goran" jishin demo arashi demo…
"Lift your face up" even in earthquakes... even in storms...
Soba ni iru kara…
Because I'm by your side...

*Written yatsureteiru but says yatsureteru
*2 Written shite but says te (or maybe even de)

Not gonna lie, I don't understand this song, so if you want to help I'm all ears LOL... Other than he wants to protect a girl picking lotus flowers, I might be missing some cultural clues since it sounds like japanese fairy tales kind of vibe?

Gumi no mi
(Goumi fruit/Silverberry)

Furikaeruto itsu demo Urunda me* wo shiteitayone
When I look back, I see those moist eyes.
Tamago no kara kara nuke dasenai.. hirikina hiyokodane..
Unable to break free from the eggshell... like a powerless chick.

Usugi de eda ni burasagaru Hazukashi kena gumi no mi…
Dressed lightly, hanging on the branch, a shy cluster of silverberry...
Ishi o tsunda, fumidai.. se o nobashite te nobashite..
A stacked stone, a stepping stone... stretching my back, reaching out my hand.

"Hanasanaiyo.." amazuppai seishun no ichiteiji*2..
"I won't let go..." A section of bittersweet youth...
Minoranu koi no hanashi dakedo Yume de mata aeru？
A story of unrequited love, but can we meet again in dreams?
Nuigurumi kakaeta hitori no yuuenchi..
Alone in an amusement park, hugging a stuffed animal...
Toshioita tokei no hari ano hi ano toki no mama..
The hands of the aging clock, frozen at that day, that time..

Ki no chiisana*3 boku dakedo.. yuuki dashite te nobashita
Although I am a small, timid me... I gathered courage and reached out my hand.

"Hanasanaiyo." amazuppai seishun no ichiteiji*…
"I won't speak." Another bittersweet scene of youth...
Minorazu koi no maku wa oriru… Saredo, mata aeru？
The curtain falls on the unfulfilled love... but can we meet again?
Nuigurumi kakaete hitori de kanransha…
Alone with a stuffed animal on the Ferris wheel...
Mou ugokanai tokei no hari ano hi ano toki no mama
The hands of the motionless clock, stuck at that day, that time.

Azadarake furuboketa hashiradokei…
Covered in bruises... an old and worn-out pendulum clock...
Sono mama.. soshite.. tsukihi wa nagareta..
As it is... and then... time flowed away...

*Pronounce 瞳 hitomi as 目me
*2 Written 一項 (ichikou or ichiunaji) and 一幕 (hitomaku or ichimaku) but says ichiteiji (?) for both
*3 Written chiisai, chiisana but only says chiisana, probably an error in the booklet

This song might or might not be related to the others? I'm unsure, clearly it's about a sad part of his childhood, maybe remembering another parting in the past without being with the same person.

(This song is also on Katsuo no Arake Zuribushi)
Hanare kotou
(Remote island)

Kudaranai sekai no, chippokena hataraki ari..
A tiny work in a tiny world...
Tsumaranai kuni kara, doro de dekita "Fune o de sou！"
From this dull country, with a ship made of mud “let's set sail!”

Yakimoki Tomerarenai… hanareta Furusato
Restlessness, unstoppable... my distant hometown...
Shizumi souna, fune kara mita shima
The island seen from the sinking ship...

Toui kuni no Toui hito, are kara Izu ko e…
A distant land, a distant person, since then, where have you gone…
Shi roku ji chuu Zutto Zutto… Oshitai moushimasu…
All 46 hours long, always, always... I respectfully long for you...

Kudaranai sekai no Chippokena habakari* no mushi…
A puny little toilet bug in a puny little world...
Tsumaranai kuni kara Ana no aita "Fune o dasu！"
From this dull country, with a ship with a hole in it “let's set sail!”

Yakimoki Tomerare su ni tobidashita kokyou
Restlessness, unable to stop... I leapt from my hometown
Shizumu souna Fune kara mita shima…
The island seen from the sinking ship...

Toui kuni no Toui hito, are kara Izu ko e…
A distant land, a distant person, since then, where have you gone…
Shi roku ji chuu Zutto Zutto… o shitai moushimasu…
All 46 hours long, always, always... I respectfully long for you...

Toui kuni no Toui hito, "Izure… kaerimasu you ni…"
A distant land, a distant person, “Someday... I'll come back…”
Umi o koeto… zutto Zutto Zuu~tto
Across the sea, always, always, forever
O shitai moushimasu.
I respectfully long for you.

*Says habakari but written benjo

Aaah my favorite Ruritama song, it's just so fun, I love when they all sing together, and it really feels like an adventure on a ship! And little bubbles at the beginning!! So cute!!
Now for my interpretation, in the adult mindset : After the break-up and the no contact, Fukko(?) seems to want to get out of the city, day-dreaming of a way to escape from there while still holding on his feelings.
In the kid mindset : A kid could be playing with a toy boat and imagining going far away from here

Mokura
(Also dark, or it’s a play of word with mogura (mole))

Kurai kobeya ni koshi sueta, namekuji ni nita… mogura
In a dark child's room, I settled down, resembling a slug... mole
Makuramoto → Ano hito no shashin..
Next to the pillow → a picture of that person...
Semai hora ana nukete, hade ni ikitaina~
I wish I could get out of this narrow cave and live flamboyantly~
Yume mi gachina kono atama, haretsu shi sou！
My dreamy head is about to explode!
Mayonaka sugi ni okidashite wa, ana horiokosu.. Mogura
Past midnight, I wake up and start digging like a… mole
Makuramoto no kingin zaihou！
For gold and silver treasures under my pillow!
Semai hora ana nukete.. hade ni ikiteyarou！
Let’s leave this narrow cave and live flamboyantly!
Kane*2 nado nakutomo kokoro wa nishiki！
No money, but a heart of rich and colorful like brocade!
Sousa, nani wa nakutomo aisubeki hito o
Yes, even without anything, as long as I
Tae zu omoitsuzukerya sono uchi ni
keep thinking about the person I love
Susamu kurashi kara.. nukedase sou？
is it possible to break free... From a life that's falling apart?

"Ana horu dougu, kashi to kure~"
Mole-kun : “Lend me some digging tools~”

Sousa, nani wa nakutomo aisubeki hito o
Yes, even without anything, as long as I
Tae zu omoitsuzukerya sono uchi ni
keep thinking about the person I love
Susamu kurashi kara.. nukedase sou？
is it possible to break free... From a life that's falling apart?

Sousa, nani ga nan demo aisuru "Anata" o
Yes, no matter what, as long as I
Tae zu omoitsuzukerya sono uchi ni
continue to think of the beloved 'you'
Susamu kurashi kara.. kono kurashikara
From a life that's falling apart... this way of life
Nukedase sou..？*3
I might be able to escape, right?

（Hato kara boku*4 e no tegami ga..
(A letter from a pigeon to me...
Boku*4 kara kimi e wa kimochi o..）
From me to you, my feelings...)

* Pronounce 子 as hito instead of ko
*2 Writen Okane but says Kane
*3 Written «Nekudaseru kamo ne?» nut says «Nekudase sou» again instead
*4 Written Oira but says Boku

I love this song so much, it gives me mechanical toy kind of vibe.
Now my interpretation is a cute metaphorical way to talk about the insomnia from thinking about his break up/parting and his life falling appart without her. While still holding on his feeling for her. A bit in the same feeling of Hanare Kotou

(This song is also on Wakame no Aramo Mitsubushi)
O futon no naka
(Relationship of the futon)

Pokapoka* na no ga, tottemo haradatashii
The weather being clear is really irritating
Naze ni konnani, gokigen naname
Why am I in such a bad mood?
Tondeikitai… Jisoku hyaku juu kyuu kiro de
I want to fly... at a speed of 119 km/h...
Pokapoka na*2 hi wa, tokuni i ga itamuyo
On clear days, my stomach hurts especially
Konna sora to wa, urahara dane
It's contrary to such a sky, isn't it?
"Mattete" tondeikuyo, jisoku hyaku juu kyuu kiro*！
"Wait for me," I'll fly at a speed of 119 km/h!

Kegare no nai sora ga mitai Kageri no nai hoshi o mitai
I want to see a sky without pollution, I want to see stars without shadows
Massugu sa o tsuranukitai… sunda hitomi, miteitai…
I want to pierce through with straightness... I want to see clear eyes...
Itsu datte shinjiteirunoni, utagau nante kanashii janai…
Even though I always believe, doubting is so sad...
Motto Motto Anata no koto o…
More and more, about you...

Onaji jikan no naka… chigau koto, kangaeta
In the same time... thinking different things...
Konai asu no koto o sugisatta kako o
About the tomorrow that won't come... about the past that has passed...
Onaji futon no naka… chigau yume o mita
In the same futon... dreaming different dreams
Boku wa kimi no yume o... kimi wa, hoka no dareka no yume o…
I dreamt of you... and you dreamt of someone else…

Kegare no nai sora ga mitai Kageri no nai hoshi o mitai
I want to see a sky without pollution, I want to see stars without shadows
Massuguna jibun de itai Kumori no nai me*3 o miteitai
I want to be myself without hesitation, I want to see eyes without cloudiness
Itsu datte shinjiteitai… utagau nante kanashiikara
Even though I always believe, doubting is so sad…
Motto Motto Anata no koto o…
More and more, about you…

Onaji jikan no "naka"… chigau koto Kangaeta
In the same time, "relationship"... I thought about different things
Konai asu no koto o… natsukashii kare o…
About the tomorrow that won't come… About the man you missed…
Onaji futon no naka… chigau yume o mita…
In the same futon… I saw a different dream...

Boku wa kimi no yume o…
I dream of you…
A.na.ta　wa, boku no shiranai yatsu no yume o…
You, dreamt of someone I don't know.

* Written Otenki but says Pokapoka
*2 Written Harewataru but says Pokapoka na
*3 Pronounce 瞳 (hitomi) as me

This is the song that made me fall in love with Ruritama, in the demo version you can hear Fukko sobbing at the end
Anyway, for the interpretation of that song… Again, very hard to see it in another interpretation than an adult mindset. I feel like story wise it should be higher, like after meshi tsukai you know? I'm not 100% sure it's about cheating, but maybe he's saying she's dreaming of someone she wish he would be.
I like the play of word between 仲(relationship) and 中(inside) which are both pronounced "naka". 
Before translating it properly, I had a different image of that song. Like at first, he would wonder what her dreams were about when they were in the same futon, and then magically would find himself in her dream and seeing he's not there. I kinda like my old interpretation better ngl haha

Now for the final song :

Tenma de todoke…
(Deliver in Tenma…)*

Hanareteke* mo, sonnani toukunai itsu demo a*erusa rekara mo
Even if we're apart, it's not that far, We can meet anytime from now on
Nemureba oukina ki no shita de oshaberi dekiru no dakara..
If we sleep, we can chat under a big tree..
Hanaretatte*, anmari toukarazu itsu ni datte aerusa kono saki mo
Even if we're apart, it's not too far, We can meet anytime in the future too
Nemureba ipponmatsu no konoshita de, ocha demo dekiru no dakara…
If we sleep, we can have tea under a pine tree...

Rokugatsu… tsuyu no goto*…*
June... Events during the rainy season… (Bitter feelings and regretful tears...)
Tsuraiki mochi ya kanashi namida…
Painful feelings and sad tears...
Boku wa* iranai no ni…
Even though I... (Truly, I don't need it...)

Tsurainara koko de nakebaii namida kareru made kono mune de nakeba yoi
If it's tough... you can cry here... you should cry in this chest until tears dry
Kanashimi yo… doko ka tondeyuke…
Sorrow... fly away somewhere...
Tsugini umare kawareru toki mo
Even in the next reincarnation
…issho ni itai.
...I want to be together.

Are kara haya ikutose？
Since then, how many years have passed?
Juu roku nichide, san* nen gatatsu…
On the 16th, three years have passed...
Sonogo "Ogenki desu ka？"
After that, "How are you?"

Tsurainara koko de nakebaii namida kareru made kono mune de nakeba yoi
If it's tough... you can cry here... you should cry in this chest until tears dry
Kanashimi yo… haruka touku e to, tondeyuke
Sorrow... fly away somewhere...
Tsugini umare kawareru toki mo
Even in the next reincarnation
…Kanarazu meguri au hazu!!
... We should surely meet again!!

Tsurainara… namida kareru made nakeba yoi
If it's tough... you should cry until tears run dry
Tokuto ki no sumu made, kono mune de nakuga yoi！
Cry in this chest until you're satisfied!
Kono koe yo～ Utagoe yo～
This voice, this singing voice...
"Tenma de todoke…"
"Reach to the heavens..."
Kumo no ue de ocha* demo nonde,
Have green tea above the clouds,
"Mimamotteite ne"…
"Watch over me, okay?"...

*Tenma could be a play of word as it’s a common location name in japan, but it also mean heaven
*Written Hanareteite but says Hanareteke
*Pronounce 達 as a instead of ta
*Written Hanareteitatte but says Hanaretatte
*Written dekigoto but says goto
*（Nigai omoi ya kuyashinamida）was added in parentheses in the lyrics but not said
*（Hontouni honki de）was added in parentheses in the lyrics but not said
*Written 2 (ni) but says san (3)
*Written 煎茶sencha but says お茶ocha

A note about "Koro" refering to a Fox was added at the end of the lyrics??? Idk if it was meant for the next page that shows Fukko with his fox Koro, but I couldn't find any mention of "koro" in any of the lyrics... Except in Wo hiru sagari.
Unless this song is about Koro too OR the "women" we though was a human was actually songs about his fox all along?? Which could make sense in some places and not in others lol

So if we keep the adult/kid mindset theory and discard the fox theory for now, either way this song is about singing to a loved one who passed away. What reinforced the "kid mindset" theory is that there's some spoken lines in the middle of the song were he's saying something like "Grandma's cookie are very good" and says "grandmaaa" with a sad voice after. Also at the end of the song he says also something, but I'm missing words to make it make sense LOL.

I find interesting that in the booklet it says that "On the 16th, two years have passed..." but he sings 3 years have passed instead... It's probably because that album was delayed for one year? So time wise, 3 year pasted, but when they originally did the booklet it was 2? I kept 3 years in the translation.

In conclusion, the songs could also be about both mindset or unrelated, it's not because the songs follow each other that they have to be about the same subject. Some could be about his failed relationship, some could be about his grandmother's passing, some could be about his fox's passing. Also Fukko might not always be the main character of the songs, and he could be singing from someone else's perspective, who knows.

In any case, I love their songs a lot, and I'm sure you were surprised by how sad they actually were haha.. And whatever the actual meaning intended is, the most important is how those songs made you feel~

I would love to hear what you guys think!

Now to finish this post I added the songs and the lyrics sheets from Katsuo no Arake Zuribushi and Wakame no Aramo Mitsubushi, if you feel like comparing them.
They have some difference to the ones from chanchan, but most of them are pretty much the same, just in lower quality.
The special mentions goes for :
- Hanare Kotou because it sounds more “aquatic” than the chanchan version
- O futon no naka for the little sobs at the ends
Also some "errors" in the lyric sheets from chanchan are actually the lyrics from the demos (like how he doesn't say "ne..." in the chanchan version of "wo hiru sagari", but says it in the Katsuo version)

I uploaded my rips on the Evil en Lucifer's discord if you want to have the mp3s~

Katsuo no Arake Zuribushi

Wakame no Aramo Mitsubishi

Have a magical day~☆