Japanese National Anthem - 君が代 " Kimigayo "

"Kimigayo" (君が代?) is the national anthem of post-1868 Japan. It is also one of the world's shortest national anthems in current use, with a length of 11 measures and 32 characters. Its lyrics are based on a Waka poem written in the Heian period (794-1185), sung to a melody written in the imperial period (1868--1945). The current melody was chosen in 1880, replacing an unpopular melody composed eleven years earlier. While the title Kimigayo is usually translated as His Majesty's Reign, no official translation of the title nor lyrics has ever been established by law.

Prior to 1945, "Kimigayo" was the official national anthem of the Japanese Empire. When the Empire of Japan (imperial period) fell and its successor state, the State of Japan (democratic period) replaced it in 1945, the polity therefore changed from absolutism to democracy. However, just as Emperor Hirohito was not dethroned, so too was "Kimigayo" retained as the de facto national anthem, becoming legally recognized as such in 1999 with the passage of Act on National Flag and Anthem.

Since the democratic period began, there has been controversy over the performance of the anthem at public ceremonies. Along with the Hinomaru flag, "Kimigayo" has been claimed to be a symbol of Japanese nationalism, imperialism and militarism, with debate over whether "Kimigayo", as a remnant of Japan's imperial past, is compatible with Japanese democracy. Thus, essential points of controversies to the Hinomaru and "Kimigayo" are whether they express praise or condemnation to the Empire of Japan and whether the Empire of Japan (pre-1945) and the State of Japan (post-1945) are the same states or different states.


君が代は
千代に八千代に
さざれ石の
いわおとなりて
こけの生すまで

Lyrics:

May your reign
Continue for a thousand, eight thousand generations,
Until the pebbles
Grow into boulders
Lush with moss

Category:

Music

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[pojo458]

The most peaceful of the anthems I've so far heard

[tHeWasTeDYouTh]

this is amazing, my brother lives in Japan

[max62697]

one of the best anthems.Pray for japan.

[yuckystuffcomment]

@BlayneArthur you know that this 8D means penis! XD

[BlayneArthur]

I used to sing this all the time when I lived on Okinawa 8D I miss Japan :/

[George21459]

Extreme and filled with beauty

[TheCreativeGio]

@tsggstcf and evrybody too! Japan took over Singapore! Man, how cruel! We had to learn Japanese and suffer all the consequences from Japanese soldiers! Ha! Short live Japan, from SG

[tsggstcf]

Japan is super awesome. One of my favourite countries:))

Greetings from Singapore<3

[greendarksky]

Everyone in this planet loves Japan . Log live the best people in the world . Peace from Arabia .

[SkateHardBailHard]

I prefer the USSR anthem better... and I'm Japanese.

[ANGEL99638]

@floapiantubemunch69 Atleast show us some respect, everyone loves their nation's anthem, and you americans forgot when you nuked us in WWII ending the war by killing 100Million japanese and till now you call it a Victory, well i say its against humanity, go and put ur racist comments on other videos stupid-ass

[Jtiger987]

first anthem ive heard which doesnt even sound like an anthem :O