was released by

Ringo Sheena , known by her stage name , is a Japanese singer, songwriter and musician. She is also the founder and lead vocalist of the band Tokyo Jihen. She describes herself as "". She was ranked number 36 in a list of Japan's top 100 musicians compiled ...

Neko Saito , better known by his stage name , is a Japanese violinist, conductor, composer and music arranger. Saito is the leader of the Saito Neko Quartet, and is known for his many collaborations with musician Ringo Sheena. Biography Saito began playi ...

and

Junpei Shiina , is a Japanese rhythm and blues singer and songwriter, and older brother to the musician Ringo Sheena. Debuting as a soloist in 1999, Shiina released four albums with major label Sony Music Japan between 2001 and 2004, later signing a contract wi ...

on January 17, 2007 in the name of . It was certified gold by the

RIAJ The is an industry trade group composed of Japanese corporations involved in the music industry. It was founded in 1942 as the Japan Phonogram Record Cultural Association, and adopted its current name in 1969. The RIAJ's activities include p ...

for 100,000 copies shipped to stores in 2007.

Background

The song was used as theme song for the movie ''

Sakuran , is a Japanese manga series by Moyoco Anno. The manga is about a girl who goes through different names throughout the story and becomes a , or high ranking (courtesan). North American publisher Vertical Inc published it in English in July 2 ...

'', of which Sheena was the

music director A music(al) director or director of music is the person responsible for the musical aspects of a performance, production, or organization. This would include the artistic director and usually chief conductor of an orchestra or concert band, the d ...

. The song is a duet with her brother Shiina Junpei, and is shown using the ending of the film. This is the first solo work by Sheena for two months, after the digital single " Karisome Otome (Death Jazz Ver.)" was released, and her first physical single in three years since she released " Ringo no Uta" at the end of 2003. Kiyoshi Hasegawa whom Shiina had respected for a long time played "Sakuran (ONKIO ver.)" on the

acoustic guitar An acoustic guitar is a musical instrument in the string family. When a string is plucked its vibration is transmitted from the bridge, resonating throughout the top of the guitar. It is also transmitted to the side and back of the instrument, ...

Track listing

Chart rankings

Sales and certifications

Notes

{{authority control Ringo Sheena songs 2007 singles 2007 songs Songs written by Ringo Sheena Macaronic songs Japanese film songs