Begin of Dusk -Tasogare no Bigin- / Naomi Chiaki

Song Introduction (Tasogare no Bigin)

• Song Title: Tasogare no Bigin (Title Meaning: Begin of Dusk)
• Artist: Naomi Chiaki (Original by Hiroshi Mizuhara)
• Lyricist: Rokusuke Ei
• Composer: Hachidai Nakamura
• Arranger: Takayuki Hattori
• Label: Teichiku Records
• Release:
  October 1959 (Hiroshi Mizuhara version)
  July 21, 1991 (Naomi Chiaaki version)
• Overview: Released in October 1959 as Hiroshi Mizuhara’s single (with “Kuroi Ochiba” / “Begin of Dusk”).
  In June 1991, Naomi Chiaki covered the song, including it in her cover album Standard Number, and released it as a single in July of the same year.
  
  The song was featured in several commercials, including Keisei Electric Railway’s Skyliner in 1991, Nestlé Japan’s Nescafé President in 1999, and Toyota Motor Corporation’s ReBORN DRIVE FOR TOHOKU in 2011, leading to its success.
  Since then, many artists have covered the song, making it a Japanese standard number.

Article Citation Sources:
・Naomi Chiaki – Wikipedia
・Kuroi Ochiba / Begin of Dusk – Wikipedia

Song & Lyrics

“Tasogare no Bigin” (Begin of Dusk) was released in 1959, born from the collaboration of two leading figures in the Japanese music scene at the time: Rokusuke Ei (lyricist) and Hachidai Nakamura (composer).

Decades later, in 1991, Naomi Chiaki released her cover version. Due to the beauty of its melody and lyrics, as well as its romantic and nostalgic atmosphere, it became a representative hit song of the Showa era, and has continued to be covered by many artists ever since.

The lyrics beautifully depict a poignant yet beautiful moment of love between a man and a woman who meet in a town after the rain at dusk. The scene of the two in the twilight town vividly comes to mind, and the gentle, quiet melody perfectly matches the twilight scenery.

I believe it’s a masterpiece that evokes in listeners the faint emotions that resonate at dusk and a sense of nostalgia for days gone by. This cover version by Naomi Chiaki provides new discoveries and emotions each time it is heard, and makes one realize anew her musical talent.

雨に濡れてた　たそがれの街
あなたと逢った　初めての夜
ふたりの肩に　銀色の雨
あなたの唇　濡れていたっけ

傘もささずに　僕達は
歩きつづけた　雨の中
あのネオンが　ぼやけてた

雨がやんでた　たそがれの街
あなたの瞳　うるむ星影

黄昏のビギン / ちあきなおみより

*Translation (Unformal)

In the twilight town, drenched by the rain

The night I first met you

Silver rain kissed our shoulders

Your lips were moist

We wandered, lost in the rain

Without an umbrella

The neon lights blurred

Twilight fell, the rain had ceased

Your eyes, like stars, were filled with tears

from “Tasogare no Bigin” / Naomi Chiaki

Song Video

Artist Introduction

• Artist: Naomi Chiaki
• Real Name: Mieko Segawa
• Birthday: September 17, 1947
• Place of Birth: Tokyo, Japan
• Official Websites:
• Nippon Columbia
• TEICHIKU RECORDS

Artist Trails

Naomi Chiaki is a former Japanese singer and actress, known for her unique voice and expressive singing, which allowed her to perform a wide range of musical genres.
In particular, her 1972 single “Kassai” was a major hit and won the 14th Japan Record Award.

Her signature songs, such as “Kassai”, “Gekijou”, and “Yakan Hikou”, were known for their dramatic lyrics and storytelling, earning her music the label “dramatic kayō” (dramatic ballads).

Chiaki had a close relationship with music from an early age.
By the age of 4, she had already begun performing, singing jazz at U.S. military camps. She made her debut in 1969 with the song “Ame ni Nureta Bojou” (Love Soaked in the Rain), and continued to release numerous hit songs thereafter.

In the 1970s, she gained popularity as a sultry idol and appeared on variety shows, captivating audiences with both her humor and performances.

After marrying actor Eiji Go in 1978, Chiaki gradually distanced herself from the spotlight, prioritizing her life with her husband.
Though she reduced her singing activities, she continued to release deep and profound songs like “Rouge” and “Yoru e Isogu Hito”.

In the 1980s, she resumed her career more actively, but following her husband’s death in 1992, Chiaki completely retired from public life.
Since then, she has rarely appeared in public, effectively living in retirement.

Despite her absence from the public eye, Naomi Chiaki’s voice continues to be loved, with her CDs and videos still being released.
While there is a strong desire for her to return as a singer, she has reportedly not responded to such requests.

Her unique expressiveness and presence remain etched in the hearts of many to this day.

Discography

• Single
  • 1 June 10, 1969 A-side, Rain soaked adoration B-side, Kanashii kurumabe (I’ll never give my lips to anyone)
  • 2 November 10, 1969 A-side Before the Morning Comes B-side Don’t Give Anyone the Night
  • 3 March 25, 1970 A-side More More Love B-side Ai no Wasteland
  • 4 April 10, 1970 A-side Four Requests B-side Koi no Mezura
  • 5 Aug 10, 1970 A-side X+Y=LOVE B-side I don’t want no memories
  • 6 Nov 10, 1970 A-side After Farewell B-side Transformation Kenichi Funaki
  • 7 Feb. 25, 1971 A-side Let’s Stop Futile Resistance B-side Make Me Again Funaki Kenichi
  • 8 June 10, 1971 A-side: A Woman Called Me B-side: Unforgettable Love Yoshida Hisashi Morioka Kenichiro
  • 9 September 10, 1971 A-side: Shinobu Aiue Koi (Sinobu Aiue Koi) B-side: Twilight by the Sea
  • 10 Oct. 25, 1971 A-side, Today’s the end B-side, Let’s forget about it
  • 11 Feb. 10, 1972 A-side A woman in love B-side I can’t keep up with you
  • 12 May 25, 1972 A-side Forbidden love island B-side Till manicure wakes
  • 13 September 10, 1972 side A Kudos to you, B The last call of the queen
  • 14 February 25, 1973 side A: Theater, side B: Knives
  • 15 June 25, 1973 Side A Night Flight Side B Autumn Two Years Ago
  • 16 November 25, 1973 side A: Him and Me side B: Rainy Day We Parted
  • 17 March 10, 1974 side A Circular Dances side B Woman’s Journey
  • 18 September 1, 1974 side A Kanashimimoyo B Shakareta Seikatsu
  • 19 Feb. 1, 1975 Side A – Hanabisuki (Snow Blossom), Side B – Midnight
  • 20 June 1, 1975 Side A: Koiho Yagyoku (Night Song of Love) Side B: Inui Mizu (Luring Water)
  • 21 July 25, 1975 Side A: Sadamegawa, Side B: Kaigo
  • 22 Jan. 1, 1976 A-side: Koi Hikyoku B-side: Kuchibeni Erejii
  • 23 May 1, 1976 A-side Onna no boudou B-side Ame no hi gurashi
  • 24 October 1, 1976 A-side Sakaba-gawa B-side Yagiri no watashi
  • 25 April 10, 1977 A-side Rouge B-side Come Home
  • 26 September 1, 1977 A-side Yoru e e kasugu hito B-side Killed by the sea
  • 27 February 1, 1978 A-side, Amagumo B-side, Sighting Angle
  • 28 October 21, 1982 A-side Yagiri no Watashi B-side Farewell Ipponsugi
  • 29 Jan. 21, 1983 A-side Again B-side Winter Clown
  • 30 March 1, 1988 A-side Yakusha Toyohisa Araki B-side Pick up the Sadness
  • 31 October 5, 1988 A-side Red Dragonfly B-side Katanjo Tsuta Shobo
  • 32 Nov. 21, 1990 A-side Color is Smell but B-side There’s no end to it
  • 33 June 21, 1991 A-side Twilight’s Biggin B-side Black Petals
  • 34 October 23, 1991 A-side Red flower B-side New Currents
  • 35 December 16, 1992 A-side Hoshikage no Koiro B-side Harbor View
  • 36 February 2, 2000 A-side Kamome no Machi B-side Twilight’s Biggin
  • 37 Jan. 24, 2001 A-side: Taisetsu no Kawa B-sid
    
• Album
  • Nippon Columbia
  • Four Requests: Naomi Chiaaki Calls to You (July 10, 1970)
  • Ai no Tabi Michi wo Chiaaki Naomi, singing Enka Blues (November 25, 1970)
  • Ai wa Hurtful, Ai wa Hurtful, Ai wa Hurtful, Ai wa Hurtful, Ai wa Hurtful, Naomi Chiaaki Singing Hit Pops (December 10, 1970)
  • Naomi Chiaaki On Stage (May 25, 1971 and December 23, 2009 (2 CD set))　
  • Love, Tears and Blues (June 25, 1972)
  • The Other Me (December 10, 1972, October 20, 2004, October 10, 2007 (LP reissue))　
  • Naomi Chiaaki ON STAGE (November 25, 1973, December 23, 2009)　
  • Enbaikyoku (May 25, 1974, April 20, 2005)
  • Kanashimi-Moyo (November 25, 1974)
  • Naomi Chiaaki Recital (January 25, 1975, December 23, 2009 (2 CD set))　
  • Enka Jouwa (July 25, 1975, April 20, 2005)
  • Postwar Light and Shadow: Naomi Chiaaki, From the Rubble (November 25, 1975, April 20, 2005, October 10, 2007 (LP reissue))
  • Spring is Gone (April 25, 1976)
  • Softly Good Night (June 25, 1976)
  • Rouge (July 25, 1977)
  • Amagumo (January 25, 1978)
  • Edited editions
  • Naomi Chiaaki, korekkushon nei anata (June 20, 2000)　
  • Columbia Oto-oku-ban Series: Naomi Chiaki (May 21, 2003)　
  • Naomi Chiaaki Mood Song Collection (August 25, 2004)
  • Naomi Chiaki Shinguru Korekushon (October 20, 2004)
  • Softly Good Night (April 20, 2005)　
  • Naomi Chiaaki Complete Works (March 22, 2006)　
  • Doughnut Disc Memory (June 28, 2006)　
  • Chiaaki Naomi Complete Works (December 1, 2006)　
  • Naomi Chiaaki Showa Kokoro Uta (August 30, 2007)　
  • Naomi Chiaaki Orijinalu (October 10, 2007 (LP))　
  • Naomi Chiaaki LIVE korekkushon (December 23, 2009)　
  • Naomi Chiaaki Derakkusu – 20 songs from my memories (March 2, 2011)　
  • BEST★BEST Naomi Chiaaki BEST (October 17, 2012)　
  • Do you remember the “legendary singing scene” on New Year’s Eve in 1972? Now is the time to experience the essence of solo vocal performance! (October 23, 2013)
  • CBS/Sony
  • Lullaby of the Earth” and ‘African Night’ (February 25, 1980, July 3, 2023)
  • Theme song for the movie “Elephant Tale”. Included on the movie soundtrack disc.
  • Victor
  • Each Table (October 21, 1981, March 21, 2007 (digitally remastered version))
  • THREE HUNDREDS CLUB (July 21, 1982, March 21, 2007 (digitally remastered version))
  • WAITING DREAM (September 5, 1983, March 21, 2007 (digitally remastered version))
  • Harbor View Hill (February 5, 1985, March 21, 2007 (digitally remastered version))
  • Edited version (February 5, 1985, March 21, 2007 (digitally remastered version))
  • I want to love Japan more, I want to meet beautiful songs… (July 27, 2016)
  • Teichiku
  • Dennwa desu ka desu ka (March 1, 1988, October 24, 2007)
  • Red Dragonfly Naomi Chiaaki Funamura Enka wo Utau (October 5, 1988, October 24, 2007)
  • Yagiri yo yomite mo arigato (Thank you tonight, night fog) Naomi Chiaaki sings Yujiro Ishihara (December 1, 1988, August 24, 2011)
  • Otoko no nostalgia (March 21, 1989, October 24, 2007) *Self-cover of “Yagiri no Watashi”; 2007 CD version is “Naomi Chiaaki: Otoko no nostalgia.
  • Onna no Kokoro (June 21, 1989, August 24, 2011) *Self-covered “Sadamegawa”.
  • Kassai – Benitonbo Yoshida Wanton Sambun Geki (November 21, 1989, August 24, 2011)　
  • Kagerofu – Kiiro ha odoro edo (November 21, 1990, November 21, 2007)
  • Standa-do Namba (July 21, 1991, November 21, 2007)
  • New Currents (October 23, 1991, November 21, 2007)
  • Edited editions
  • Male Friendship: Naomi Chiaki sings Toru Funamura (May 21, 1995)
  • Naomi Chiaaki Complete Works – Twilight’s Biggin – (August 23, 2000)
  • CHATEAU CHANT 1981 (August 23, 2000)　
  • The Complete Works of NAOMI CHIAKI ~Biggin at Dusk~ (March 23, 2001)
  • The Anthology of NAOMI CHIAKI The Complete Works of Naomi Chiaaki (September 21, 2002, March 17, 2021)　
  • RE-MASTER VOICE Naomi Chiaaki (September 21, 2002)
  • The Complete Works of Naomi Chiaaki (October 23, 2002)
  • The World of Naomi Chiaaki ~Uta-Kurabe
  • VIRTUAL CONCERT 2003 Asahi no azure no ie (April 23, 2003)　
  • VIRTUAL CONCERT 2005 in Hamburg (November 24, 2004)
  • The Complete Works of Naomi Chiaaki (October 26, 2005)　
  • Singer – Naomi Chiaaki (5 best CDs + BOX with bonus DVD) (October 22, 2008)　
  • With warmth, sadness, and nostalgia, Naomi Chiaaki’s “Twilight’s Biggin” will support your courage to fall in love. (October 23, 2013)　
  • Biggin (April 17, 2019) The title of the album reads “Biggin. This is the first concept album in five years, 50 years after its debut.
  • Zan-ei (October 19, 2022) First concept album in 3.5 years since “Bigin”.
  • Ginrei (March 20, 2024) The third in a series of concept albums supervised by Akira Higashi.