There is a saying in Japan, “Autumn days are like the falling of a tsurube”. The autumn sun sets and sets as early as the falling of a well bucket. It is a metaphor for the early dusk of autumn.

tsurube ido

Children are chasing dragonflies in the clear blue autumn sky and shining sunlight, losing track of time. Then, in no time at all, it is sunset time. Such was the scene that poet and physician NUKAGA Seishi saw on his way home from a house call four years after World War II. The passage of time, which had finally come and gone in a leisurely and tranquil way, is expressed by comparing it to the sun reflected in the large eyes of a dragonfly.

Otento sama in the story is an ancient Japanese term for the sun, another meaning of which is “god,” who watches over humans to prevent them from doing bad things. A typical example is the phrase “Otento sama ni kaomuke ga dekinai,” which is used when one has done something bad or embarrassing.

It has been selected as one of “100 Best Japanese Songs”.

“Kisha” is a song about the joys of train travel.

Today, “kisha” generally refers to steam locomotives and is distinguished from “densha.”

By 影山 光洋(1907-1981,KAGEYAMA Kouyou) – 『日本国有鉄道百年写真史』P308, Public Domain, Link

The song is about the joy of changing scenery from the train window, but today’s children are so engrossed in games that they do not enjoy the scenery.

By the way, there are many railroad fans in Japan, called “Tetsu Ota,” who enjoy riding the trains, taking pictures, recording them, and so on.

Railroad fans are probably found all over the world, but in the case of Japan, I have the impression that the concentration is very strong. Perhaps it is because, as sung in this song, the scenery changes at a glance. Nearly 70% of the country is mountain forest, which means that only 30% of the land can be traveled by rail. The scenery of the train window changes quickly. Even if you are not a railroad fan, you will feel excited.

ディック – 投稿者自身による著作物, CC 表示-継承 4.0, リンクによる

In this sense, the town of Hirono in Fukushima Prefecture is introduced as the setting of the lyrics because of the “Hironohara” part of the lyrics, but the popular theory seems to be that it is just a large field to sing about.

The 100 Best Japanese Songs.

There are many songs about the sea, but this song is probably the first sea song that a child is exposed to.
It is a very simple song about how it feels to see the sea.

Japan is one of the few maritime nations in the world that has no national borders on the ground.
Children are probably exposed to the sea at a relatively early age, and the awe of the size of the sea is palpable.

Of course, the sea still has a special place in the hearts of Japanese people, not only as a source of food such as fish, but also as an object of healing and, as the song says, an interface to foreign lands. Songs such as “Yashi no Mi (Palm Seed)” speak of the sea as a gateway to foreign lands.

The Japanese, being an earthquake-prone country, also know that the sea has two faces, one gentle and the other terrifying.
When you visit the sea, please make sure that there is a place where you can escape in case of emergency.

By the way, it is precisely because Japan has benefited greatly from the sea that a food culture such as “sushi” was born,
The taste component called “Umami,” which is said to be difficult for foreigners to detect, is mainly extracted from kelp.

While the entertainment value of conveyor-belt sushi is enjoyable, I would like people to try traditional sushi restaurants where they sit at a counter and are confronted by a sushi chef.

You will discover the magic of a dish that appears to be nothing more than a slice of fish on a bed of rice.

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