"CATERPILLAR" is one of the test films of Suchanworld animation series, which Ukeke and I have made a few years ago.

DUST BATH

"DUST BATH" is one of the test films of Suchanworld animation series, which Ukeke and I have made a few years ago.

Mohedi Had a Big Comb

Inage Kaigan is located on the waterfront of Tokyo Bay. People enjoy fishing, swimming, and windsurfing. If it is fine, you can see Mt. Fuji in the distance. It is a big environmental problem that not a few introduced species were detected in Tokyo Bay recent years. These species were carried by ballast water of the ships from distant seas - the Indian Ocean, the Mediterranean, the Atlantic and so on. Aliens are occasionally serious menace to the native species. Godzilla is nothing serious.

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

When I was a child, children used to play this melody on the recorder. It was the first music lesson at elementary schools in Japan at that time. I thought how simple this melody was. I liked it. Simple things have power. But I didn't think the Japanese translation of this lyrics were very good because it seemed too childish and naive to me. When I grew up, I knew this song came from a French love song. Ah!  if I'd started the first music lesson with a French love song, how happy I would've been.

MISSING A FRIEND - 人を戀ふる歌 -

人を戀ふる歌 (Hito o kouru uta) was written by Yosano Tekkan (1873-1935) and the original composer is unknown. Tekkan is known as a publisher who organized modern Tanka poets in late Meiji period. His wife Yosano Akiko is one of the most famous modern Tanka poets.

Hito o kouru uta is a long poem in 16 stanzas. One stanza consists of four lines and 7-5-7-5-7-5-7-5 sound units phrases[1]. This video shows you the first four stanzas of it. As you know, Haiku consists of 5-7-5 syllables(or moras) and Tanka consists of 5-7-5-7-7 syllables(moras). 5-7(or 7-5) sound units phrases are pleasant to the ear of Japanese. You could easily find this pattern not only in Japanese classical literature but even in today's popular songs in Japan.

The lyrics of this song isn't about the romance between men and women but about men's friendship. This lyrics express romanticism, desire for a stormy life and machismo that is based on traditional bushido spirit, while the tune restrains emotional expression. This song was very popular with adolescents when it was published. Young guys at that time used to gather to drink, sing this song to express their passion.

I don't know if my poor English translation as follows might help you to appreciate this song. Better than nothing. And you could freely replace these literal phrases with your own poetical phrases.

    *    *    *    *    *

The song of missing a friend
by Yosano Tekkan, 1899

If you marry someone, choose a woman
Who is clever, beautiful and has mercy.
If you make a friend, choose a man
Who reads books, has some passion and more manly spirit.

Thinking about love,
I'd rather regard my honor highly as a man.
Thinking about friendship,
I'd throw myself into the risk for a just cause.

Come, fill the cup of sake!
Songbird has guts, which girls never have.
Being only a young desk worker,
I can see a veritable man inside of you.

Ah I don't have talent as Coleridge[2] has.
I don't have passion as Byron[3] or Heine[4] have.
I don't care, however, for the spirit of Bashō[5]
Who might love inanimate stones and compose poems in the wilds.

    *    *    *    *    *

Lastly, as to my song, I know I'm not a good singer. But I couldn't find a proper singer nearby and uh.. well.. I wanted to sing. Any complaints?

moheji

Notes :
[1] The last line of the last stanza of this lyrics is 7-7 just like Tanka.
[2] Samuel Taylor Coleridge(1772-1834)
[3] George Gordon Byron(1788-1824)
[4] Heinrich Heine(1797-1856)
[5] Matsuo Bashō(1644-1694)

 
TEN LITTLE INDIANS was released.

London Bridge Is Falling Down

Just released "London Bridge Is Falling Down".