Ora Tokyo Sa Ikuda

"Ora Tokyo Sa Iguda" (俺ら東京さ行ぐだ Ora Tokyo Sa Iguda, "I'm going to Tokyo") is a song written and sung by the Japanese Enka singer, Yoshi Ikuzo, and was sung in his native Tsugaru dialect. It was released on November 25th, 1984. In the song, the singer declares that he will leave his small hometown in the countryside to move to Tokyo^[1].

Reception

Overall the song had was received positively, reaching 21st place on the Oricon Albums Chart in 1985^[2]. The song was criticized by some who lived in rural areas saying that things were not as underdeveloped as described in the song, however Yoshi Ikuzo stated that they lyrics "テレビもラジオも電話もガスも電気も無い" (We don't have a TV, radio, telephone, gas, or electricity) described what life in his hometown of Kanagi (present day Goshogawara) was like while he was growing up^[3].

Movie

The song, Ora Tokyo Sa Ikuda, served as the basis for a comedy by the same name in 1985 produced and distributed by Shochiku Company. The plot of the movie involves a son who lives and works in Tokyo as a photographer's assistant, and his parents who he has a fight with. Yoshi Izuko made a cameo appearance as a taxi driver in the movie.

References