Translation of Japanese songs (4) - Ue wo Muite Arukou

     This is perhaps the most popular Japanese song in the West (if only in the US…). “Ue wo Muite Arukou” was a big hit in Japan in sixties.  It was then introduced to the US under the name of “Sukiyaki”.  I don’t know why such a name was given to it.  Sukiyaki is a traditional Japanese dish of boiled beef and vegetables in a big bowl, whereas the title of the song means “I shall walk with the face upward”.  Maybe, sukiyaki was well-known those days, and the name was used to attract people’s attention.

     This is a beautiful song with such a pretty melody.  Sakamoto Kyuu, who sings this song, was a famous singer and actor in Japan until his death in the tragic air crash of Japan Airlines Flight 123 in 1985.  Sakamoto sings half happily and sadly.  In this poem, walking alone, he wants to cry but refrains from it.  Why he wants to cry I don’t know.  Considering his sad fate may add to the melancholy of the song.  But I’d rather think that Sakamoto is now in Heaven and is telling us to look up with this song.

Ue wo Muite Arukou

“I shall walk with the face upward”
I shall walk with the face upward
So that the tears won’t flow down
I remember one spring day
When I spent the whole night all alone

I shall walk with the face upward
Counting those hazy stars in the sky
I remember one summer day
When I spent the whole night all alone
Happiness is upon the clouds
Happiness is beyond the sky

I shall walk with the face upward
So that the tears won’t flow down
I walk and cry on and on
I’ll spend the whole night all alone

I remember one autumn day
When I spent the whole night all alone

Sorrow is just behind the stars
Sorrow is just behind the moon

I shall walk with the face upward
So that the tears won’t flow down
I walk and cry on and on
I shall spend the whole night all alone
I shall spend the whole night all alone
I shall spend the whole night all alone…

Translation of Japanese Songs (3)-Haru Nanoni

     March is the month of graduation in Japan. It is the beginning of a school year and also the season of a farewell. One always feels the mixture of joy and sorrow in March.
     The song I translated today “Haru Nanoni(Though it is spring time)” is about such a melancholic feeling a school girl has towards her beloved classmate at her graduation day. This song is written by Miyuki Nakajima, another female genius in Japanese pop music. This Chanson-like tune accompanied by accordion is successful in expressing an oppressed feeling of a shy young Japanese girl (typical at latest until 70’s…).
Haru Nanoni

“Though it’s spring time”

Is the graduation the only reason?

Reaching out your right hand

You say you will miss me

I guess your friend is calling you there

I wish I could smile at these passing seasons

Why do we have to say goodbye in spring time?

Tears are falling from my eyes though in spring time

Why is it, why is it…

That I breathe another sigh in spring time?



“Can we meet at the white cafe after the graduation

As we have done before?”

I was about to tell you

When you said,

“What is it you wanted to say?”

Please give me your button as a memoir

I will throw it away into the blue sky

Why do we have to say goodbye in spring time?

Tears are falling from my eyes though in spring time

Why is it, why is it…

That I breathe another sigh in spring time?

Translation of Japanese songs- (2) Yozora No Mukoh

It’s been a long while since I wrote the last article. I should write at least once a month from now on…


My second trial of English translation of a Japanese song is “YOZORA NO MUKOH”(Beyond the Night Sky). This is a big hit of one of the most popular idol groups in Japan, SMAP. A beautiful tune, composed by Yuka Kawamura, with rather sentimental and ambiguous lyrics written by Shikao Suga. I always assert that more Japanese pop music should be exported to the West and Westerners should listen to excellent pieces of our music. This is one of such pieces, and I highly recommend its composer, Ms. Kawamura. She could be said to be an example of many geniuses among Japanese female artists.

"YOZORA NO MUKOH" by SMAP
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GdHsgykkvEI

“Beyond the Night Sky”

Have we believed in something since then?

I wonder…

Tomorrow is awaiting us

Beyond the night sky



We hid ourselves

Noticing someone’s voice

Night wind blew

Through the fence of the park



The grip you returned to me to tell something

Is still pressing a soft spot in my heart



Have we believed in something since then?

I wonder…

Opening the window,

I smelled the winter wind

Will the sorrow disappear someday?

I wonder…

A white sigh remained for a little while

And disappeared soon



Though hesitating to start even a step,

I was defying stupid customs



How many words that I told you remain?

I wonder…

They are turning around

Deep in my empty heart



Are we standing on the future of those days?

I wonder…

Nothing seems to go as well as hoped

Will the days go on forever?

I wonder…

The cloudless sky with stars spreads beyond the window

Have we believed in something since then?

I wonder…

Tomorrow is awaiting us

Beyond the night sky