In the 90s there was a lovely indiepop band in Japan called Christopher Robin. The only release I knew from them was a song included on a Pushbike Records compilation from 1994. This compilation was called “Into Somethin’” and of course, it’s been sold out and impossible to find for so long. Happily some weeks ago I found Mitsuki on Youtube where she has uploaded many songs by her old band as well from her new band. I was so happy and asked her if I could ask her some questions. Here is this small interview! Hope you enjoy her music! It’s brilliant!

++ Hello Mitsuki! Thanks for being up for this interview! Very honoured. Where in Japan are you? Do you have any special plans for this summer?

I live in Kobe. There are some nice beaches.I have no plan in this summer.

++ Let’s talk about Christopher Robin! Tell me how did the band started? When was this and who were the members?

We started Christopher Robin around 1994.Mitsuki, me, was on vocals. Masaki Yamada on guitar and Masanobu Yamada on bass.

++ How did you know each other?

We are childhood friends.

++ What about the name? Why did you call the band Christopher Robin?

Christopher Robin is a name of the most famous boy in the world. We liked that.

++ I can’t find any information about the discography of the band Mitsuki! Can you help me with that? I know there was a song on a Pushbike Records compilation and that’s all!

We released three albums on the Milky cassette label. We also contributed four songs in the Omnibus compilation album on Milky.

++ So what would you say is your favourite Christopher Robin song?

Sea Bone.

++ What influences and inspires you to make music Mitsuki?

Books, music, movies.

++ Did you play many gigs?

Yes we did. The gigs of our pop band were all planned for myself.

++ Even though I don’t understand the lyrics, I enjoy that it’s written in Japanese. Most Japanese indiepop bands seem to sing in English though. Why did you choose for Christopher Robin to have songs in your own language?

Because I think the my own language can usually represent me best in the lyrics.

++ So what happened with Christopher Robin? Why did the band split? When was this?

We split in 1997, because we were busy at work. Working hard.

++ You are doing your solo stuff now which is very nice too! Care to tell me a bit about this new project of yours?

Recently I am making acoustic music. Christopher Robin’s members help me.

++ Tell me what’s your top 3 dishes of Japanese cuisine! And if you can, explain me what do they consist of?

1. Okonomiyaki: It’s like a pancake. It has cabbage, flour, egg and pork.
2. Udon: It’s Japanese noodles. It is bonito’s soup.
3. Nikujaga: It is a boiled food of the sukiyaki taste. It has potato, onion and meat.

++ One last question, what is your secret skill Mitsuki? Tell me something most people don’t know about you?

… What will it be?

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Listen
Christopher Robin – Cloudy