Black JaPanther Blog 4, Sakura

A Japanese folk song, sung a capella. As always, with thoughts of Mom. There are several translations available on the web; some are WAY off. I think the one below captures the spirit of the lyrics, but I don't know if a literal translation is possible.

GBU, MDJ.

Sakura:
Sakura, Sakura
Yayoi no sora wa
Miwatasu kagiri
Kasumi ka kumo ka
Nioi zo izuru
Izaya, Izaya
Mi ni yu kan

Translation:
Cherry blossoms, cherry blossoms,
The expanse of the spring sky
as far as I can see
Is it the fog, or else the clouds?
Their smell comes forth.
Now, now,
Let's go look at them!


Music: "Sakura" (traditional).
Opening--The New Kyoto Ensemble, from their JAPANESE HOLIDAY album.
Ending--Kyoko Okamoto, from the compilation album SAKURA: A MUSICAL CELEBRATION OF THE CHERRY BLOSSOMS.
As of 14SEP2006, both albums were available for purchase at Amazon.com.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• JaPanther
• BlackJaPanther
• Sakura
• New
• Kyoto
• Ensemble
• Japanese
• Holiday
• Kyoko
• Okamoto
• Musical
• Celebration
• Of
• Cherry
• Blossoms

[lizardboyo]

awesome, man! :)

[BlackJaPanther]

Thank you. I send my gratitude from Nevada to Austria! Any awesomeness here was inspired by a Mother's Love.

[morikahjo]

DOMO ARIGATO!!!! It was very beautiful!!!

[BlackJaPanther]

Doitashimashite!! You are very kind!

(*^_^*)

[7dontyouknow7]

Your singing was wonderful and pleasant, I got chills in my head three to four times while listening.

[BlackJaPanther]

I truly appreciate your unadorned, humbling comment. Thank you.

God Bless You Forever.

Sincerely,

Marvin J. †

[toryloser]

Wow, I've always loved this song, but could never find vocals or the lyrics for this. Thanks a bunch! By the way, you have a really amazing voice. ^_^

[toryloser]

Wow, I've always loved this song, but could never find vocals or the lyrics for this. Thanks a bunch! By the way, you have a really amazing voice. ^_^

[toryloser]

Wow, I've always loved this song, but could never find vocals or the lyrics for this. Thanks a bunch! By the way, you have a really amazing voice. ^_^

[mysharona1111]

I have been trying to learn the exact tune and lyrics to Sakura and turned to YouTube and found you. I have never commented on anyone's videos before, but was touched by your sweet disposition and comments about your Mother. Thanks to you, I can now sing it myself! (But not as well)

[angrymonkey123]

i just love this song. i sang it in my high school choir and never forgot it. thanks for posting! :)

[drewhurst88]

I'm very glad I found this video. I'm playing the arrangement of this that Yuquijiro Yocoh did for classical guitar (made famous by John Williams) for a recital. I wanted to learn the words (as well as what they mean in english so that I can hopefully do the piece much more justice. I was really interested in finding a vocal rendition in which the words were very clear, and I wasn't having much luck until I saw this. Thanks!

[arnon54]

When my father came out of the camps nothing from japan couldn used or bought. But Sakura he hummed a lot. Our niece from Indonesia sung this song in de traditional way on his funeral. Its never long out of my head. Arn.

[BlackJaPanther]

So, in a way, my Mom helped your Mom. That's nice to know. I really appreciate you sharing your story with me. Thanks and God Bless You & Your Mom, and her project! Sincerely, MDJ.

[satanicmonkey]

THANK YOU!~ Me and my mother were doing some research on the INTERNET because she has a project to sing tratitional foreign songs. Since I know some Japanese, she turned to me and picked this song. So I got her to a site that had it- the lyrics in English and Japanese. She also had to sing it IN JAPANESE!:O So we looked around, but there were no sites to be found! T.T I found one that had it, but it wouldn't let us. So finally, I looked on YouTube and I founded j00! Yay! We are soooo happy!

[mywholeheart]

This was a beautiful video. I lost my Mom too, and I could see the love in your eyes for your Mom.. I was in Japan (navy brat) in the early 50's. I loved the country, and oh those cherry trees. Also the people were so nice. I am a grown woman with children and Grandchildren, but Japan's Beauty is still in my Heart. You honored your Mom! She would be so proud. MWH

[mikokagome8888]

Well, I was going through my saxophone book thingy and I found this song named Sakura Sakura, and I myself was pretty into japanese stuff so I wondered if anyone posted up anything related to the song, and I found this video ^^

[BlackJaPanther]

Thank You! I'm just curious--how did you happen to stumble upon this clip? GBU, MDJ. ^_^

[mikokagome8888]

Ohh that was soo nice, I like ur voice ^^ u got a nice voice there.

[BlackJaPanther]

You are very kind. Thank You, Very Much. ^_^

You're not alone; people are always asking me if I'm a member of or admirer of the militant Black Panther Party...if that's why I chose that screen name. I admired their original goals and intentions, but never their methods. Again, Thanks.

GBU, MDJ. †

[livingpassion]

Awww, what a gorgeous voice as well... a writer who sings well... how exciting to come across! Haha and now I get where the JaPanther thing comes in, it took me a minute but that's cool!

[BlackJaPanther]

It's okay. I think I understand why you and many other young people elevate your stated age. So, were you born at Kadena? Is your Mom Japanese?

God Bless You.

Sincerely, MDJ. ^_^

[barbiegirls2]

really im only 11, but ya... i made this account as high a age i could get... i dont know why O.o

[BlackJaPanther]

That's funny. My Dad was in for 21, and next week on Wednesday will be exactly 21 years for me. A silly question: How old are you, really? :)

GBU, MDJ.

[barbiegirls2]

yes, my dad was in the air force for 22 years...