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

Translation of Japanese songs- (1) Kanashikute Yarikirenai

The first Japanese song I’d like to introduce in this blog is an old Japanese folk song Kanashikute Yarikirenai (Too sad to go on). It was a big hit by a group called Folk Crusaders In 1960’s. When we Japanese say “folk music”, we refer to western style folk music, mostly influenced by American folk or country music. It is not traditional Japanese folk music.
In the postwar Japan, young generation had grown very fond of Western pop music. American folk music was one of the most influential. Young people imitated its style and many folk singers or bands appeared. Among such groups was the Folk Crusaders.
This sad ballad, whose lyric is written by a famous Japanese poet, Hachiro Sato, sings about an anxious mind of adolescence. The composer of this song, leader of the band as well, Kazuhiko Kato has played a prominent role in Japanese pop music ever since. He, however, committed a suicide this year. It might be his inner feeling just before his death that is being sung in this song.

The tune from youtube


(Translation)
"Too sad to go on"
Original lyrics: Hachiro Sato

The bright sky that breaks my heart
As I see it so far away
Tears rolling down as ever today

Too sad too sad
To go on any longer
Should I confess this frustration
To anyone?

White clouds are floating one by one
My dreams are tangled up
Drifting sadly as ever today

Too sad too sad
To go on any longer
Is there any rescue
To this everlasting vain

Held by the green deep forest
With the song of wind
I moan as ever today

Too sad too sad
To go on any longer
Will this flaming pain
Continue tomorrow?

(Original lyrics-Japanese)
"Kanashikute Yarikirenai"

Mune ni shimiru sora no kagayaki
Kyou mo tohku nagame
Namida o nagasu
Kanashikute kanashikute
Totemo yarikirenai
Kono yarusenai moyamoya o
Dareka ni tsugeyouka

Shiroi kumo wa nagare nagarete
Kyoumo yume wa motsure
Wabishiku yureru
Kanashikute kanashikute
Totemo yarikirenai
Kono kagirinai munashisa no
Sukui wa nai daroka

Fukai mori no midori ni dakare
Kyoumo kaze no uta ni
Shimijimi nageku
Kanashikute kanashikute
Totemo yarikirenai
Kono moetagiru kurushisa wa
Ashita mo tsuzukunoka

Why I write...

I have been keeping a Japanese blog for several years.
The blog's main activity is the translation of foreign songs (mostly English) into Japanese.
I translate my favorite or somebody's favorite English songs into Japanese and make some comments about the songs. I have translated 78 songs so far, 77 English and one German songs. Each article is attached with the song itself picked up from youtube. The blog has found some readers who like those songs too and are happy to understand their lyrics.
It occurred to me one day that it might be a good idea to translate my favorite Japanese songs into English and introduce them to non-Japanese people along with their tune from Youtube.
That's how I started this blog.
My English friend Elliot taught me this English blog. I wanted to join an English blog without any Japanese word around so people from other countries can view the page easily.
I thank Elliot for introducing this blog company. I managed to write the first topic because of his help.