早春 賦 作曲 者

Introduction

早春 賦 (Soshunfu) is a famous Japanese song composed by Rentaro Taki in 1901 that depicts the beauty of early spring. The song has become a classic in the Japanese music scene and is known for its calming melody and beautiful lyrics. This article will provide an in-depth analysis of the song lyrics, exploring the different themes and their meanings.

Background of the song

Rentaro Taki composed Soshunfu in 1901 during the Meiji period of Japan. The Meiji period was a time of modernization and industrialization, and the arts were flourishing. It was during this time that Japan began to embrace Western culture, and music was no exception. Rentaro Taki was a prominent composer of the time and is known as the father of Japanese modern music. He combined Japanese traditional music with Western classical music, creating a unique style that was both modern and rooted in tradition.

Soshunfu was one of Taki’s most famous works, and it quickly became popular among the Japanese people. The song’s simple melody and beautiful lyrics resonated with the Japanese people, who found solace in the song’s depiction of the beauty of nature. Today, Soshunfu is still widely played and sung in Japan, and it has become a symbol of the country’s rich musical heritage.

Themes of the song

Soshunfu is a song that celebrates the beauty of early spring. The lyrics are filled with imagery that evokes the sights and sounds of nature during this time of year. The song’s themes can be broken down into three main categories: nature, love, and nostalgia.

Nature

One of the primary themes of Soshunfu is the beauty of nature during the early spring season. The lyrics are filled with references to the natural world, from the cherry blossoms that bloom to the birds that sing in the trees. The song’s opening lines set the tone for this theme:

春風に 揺れる花の香に 鳥はさえずり 絶えず奏でる

Harukaze ni yureru hana no kaori ni tori wa saezuri taezu kanaderu

Translation: The birds sing endlessly to the scent of the flowers swaying in the spring breeze.

This verse captures the essence of the song, with its focus on the beauty of nature and the way it inspires the birds to sing. The lyrics go on to describe the cherry blossoms, the flowing streams, and the gentle winds of spring.

Love

Another important theme of Soshunfu is love. The song’s lyrics are filled with references to the emotions of love and longing. The opening lines of the second verse capture this theme:

思い出たゞ一人の人と 今はすでに逢えぬ身となりしも

Omoideta hitori no hito to ima wa sude ni aenu mi to narishi mo

Translation: I remember the one person I can no longer see.

These lyrics express the idea of lost love, and the longing for someone who is no longer present. This theme is further developed in the following verses, which describe the feelings of loss and sadness that come with the passing of time.

Nostalgia

The final theme of Soshunfu is nostalgia. The song’s lyrics evoke a sense of nostalgia for the past, with its references to memories and the passing of time. The final verse of the song captures this theme:

花は散りぬ 人は逝き去る 惜しむる心だけが残る

Hana wa chirinu hito wa ikisaru oshimuru kokoro dake ga nokoru

Translation: The flowers have fallen, people have passed away, and only the heart that laments remains.

These lyrics express the idea that everything is fleeting, and that the beauty of spring, like all things in life, will eventually pass. The song’s themes of love, nature, and nostalgia combine to create a powerful emotional impact that has resonated with generations of listeners.

Analyzing the song lyrics

Now that we have explored the themes of Soshunfu, let us take a closer look at the song’s lyrics and their meanings.

Verse 1

春風に 揺れる花の香に 鳥はさえずり 絶えず奏でる

Harukaze ni yureru hana no kaori ni tori wa saezuri taezu kanaderu

Translation: The birds sing endlessly to the scent of the flowers swaying in the spring breeze.

The first verse of Soshunfu sets the tone for the song, with its focus on the beauty of nature during the spring season. The lyrics describe the way the birds sing to the scent of the flowers, creating a sense of harmony between the natural world and the music it inspires.

Verse 2

思い出たゞ一人の人と 今はすでに逢えぬ身となりしも

Omoideta hitori no hito to ima wa sude ni aenu mi to narishi mo

Translation: I remember the one person I can no longer see.

The second verse of Soshunfu introduces the theme of love, with its lyrics describing the memory of a lost love. The lyrics express a sense of longing for someone who is no longer present, evoking a feeling of sadness and melancholy.

Verse 3

白い雲に 浮かぶ夢見し おもひ出に いつか春の日を

Shiroi kumo ni ukabu yumemishi omoide ni itsuka haru no hi wo

Translation: I remember the spring day I dreamed of while watching the white clouds floating by.

The third verse of Soshunfu continues the theme of nostalgia, with its lyrics describing a memory from the past. The lyrics paint a picture of someone watching the clouds and dreaming of a spring day long ago, creating a sense of wistfulness and longing.

Verse 4

春めくや あはれなる花の しだりもの 恋しくて

Harumeku ya awarenaru hana no shidari mono koishikute

Translation: How springlike! The drooping branches of the lovely flowers that I miss.

The final verse of Soshunfu returns to the theme of nature, with its focus on the beauty of the cherry blossoms. The lyrics describe the way the cherry blossom branches droop, creating a sense of melancholy that is tinged with beauty and longing.

The meaning of Soshunfu

Soshunfu is a song that celebrates the beauty of nature and evokes a sense of nostalgia for the past. The lyrics are filled with images of spring, from the cherry blossoms to the birds that sing in the trees. The song’s themes of love and nostalgia add a sense of melancholy to the lyrics, creating a powerful emotional impact that has resonated with generations of listeners.

Overall, Soshunfu is a classic Japanese song that captures the essence of the spring season and the emotions that it inspires. Its simple melody and beautiful lyrics have made it a beloved part of Japan’s musical heritage, and it continues to be sung and played to this day.