Sunday, February 13, 2011

Team A - "Tsukimisou"

As I mentioned, I'm going to tackle my first full stage translation ^__^
And the stage I chose is...
Team A's 3rd Stage "Dareka no tame ni"

The reasons are basically two. The first is that it's a really great stage, with a lot of good tracks. There are fun songs, melancholy songs, dark songs, cute songs. The second reason is that I have a soft spot for AKB's little sisters based in Osaka, NMB48; they've just debuted with a rehash of A3rd so this is to celebrate (original) Team A as well as the pretty, amazing, hardworking 25 girls of NMB48.

Let's start from the first song. Yoisho! (Yes, it's NMB in the image, simply because it's a pretty picture versus my HORRIBLE screencaps. XD)

"Tsukimisou" (Evening primrose)
(from Team A 3rd stage "Dareka no tame ni")
Team A (full team)

words: Akimoto Yasushi
music: Goto Tsugutoshi
point of view: female
theme: allegory
original lyrics


listen to Tsukimisou on youtube

Passing by it on the road
I saw a flower bud that was looking downward
As if it was waiting for someone from somewhere
It looked up at the sky...

Eventually it becomes dusk
The colours of the capital blend into the night
The feelings inside my heart turn into a shadow
As I reach out my hands

The beauty of the ever changing nature
Where does the eternal wind come from?

Secretly meeting night after night,
Avoiding people's eyes
Our love will bloom one day
Watched over by the crescent moon
Dreaming earnestly,
Women are like evening primroses

How long do I have to wait for the sound
Of my loved one's steps until they come closer?
So many stars are twinkling
Enticing love

A summer night longer than today
In this forsaken place
The white flowers of an unforgettable pure love bloom

They look beautiful and noble...
Are they destined to be so short-lived?

All my feelings have stopped silently
Rather than fall, held by you,
I would bloom until morning
And then wither
My life lasts only for one night
Women are like evening primroses

The cicadas who can't give up
Suddenly started singing from the tree branches

Secretly meeting night after night,
Avoiding people's eyes
Our love will bloom one day
Watched over by the crescent moon
Dreaming earnestly,
Women are like evening primroses

All my feelings have stopped silently
Rather than fall, held by you,
I would bloom until morning
And then wither
My life lasts only for one night
Women are like evening primroses

Dreaming only for one night,
Women are like evening primroses

Comment
The main characteristic of this song is the distinct Japanese flavour of it. The melody is built on the classic Asian pentatonic scale, and the instrumental makes use of Japanese drums and instruments; during the song, there are a lot of kakegoe (the classic Japanese rhythmic cries, used, for example, during traditional festivals too - in this case the kakegoe that is repeated throughout the song is "yoisho!". Kakegoe have no literal meaning.)
Moreover, the lyrics are also written in a style reminiscing of classical Japanese.
They make a comparison between a woman who can only meet her lover at night and an evening primrose, a flower that blooms at night and wilts the following morning.

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