The Four Seasons Song四季の歌

We had talked about the possibility of viewing Matsuri (Japanese festival) as a possible cultural redemptive tool in last article, now it is time to take a look at the songs that Japanese people grow up with.

I came to notice this song as I watched this Japanese TV series "Aikurushi"「愛くるし」.

The title of the song is : "The Four Seasons Song" 「四季の歌」. The lyrics are as follow.

春を愛する人は，心清き人

ha-ru-wo-ai-su-ru-hi-to-(wa), ko-ko-ro-ki-yo-ki-hi-to

すみれの花のような，僕の友だち

su-mi-re-no-ha-na-no-yo-u-na, bo-ku-no-to-mo-da-chi

One who loves spring, is a person pure in heart

Just like the blooming violet, is my dear friend

夏を愛する人は，心強き人

na-tsu-wo-ai-su-ru-hi-to-(wa), ko-ko-ro-tsu-yo-ki-hi-to

岩をくだく波のような，僕の父親

i-wa-wo-ku-da-ku-na-mo-no-yo-u-na, bo-ku-no-chi-chi-o-ya

One who loves summer, is a person strong in heart

Just like the strong wave that breaks the ocean rocks, is my dear father

秋を愛する人は，心深き人

a-ki-wo-ai-su-ru-hi-to-(wa), ko-ko-ro-fu-ka-ki-hi-to

愛を語るハイネのような，僕の恋人

ai-wo-ka-ta-ru-ha-i-ne-no-yo-u-na, bo-ku-no-ko-i-bi-to

One who loves autumn, is a person deep in mind

Just like the poet Heine who sings the love hymns, is my dear lover

冬を愛する人は，心広き人

fu-yu-wo-ai-su-ru-hi-to-(wa), ko-ko-ro-hi-ro-ki-hi-to

根雪を溶かす大地のような，僕の母親

ne-yu-ki-wo-to-ka-su-da-i-chi-no-yo-u-na, bo-ku-no-ha-ha-o-ya

One who loves winter, is a person big in heart

Just as the earth that thaw the lingering snow, is my dear mother.

I'm not sure how popular is this song in real life, but as I did a quick search with Japan google, it seems that it is very much like a common song that everyone learned when they were kids. I wonder how many Japanese today still sing this song? Do you have any idea?

Values are embedded in culture. Songs that we sang when we were kids, lessons that we took at early school phase, were to shape our values and perspectives. This is the same in every culture.

What do you see in this song? What are the values that struck you? Are these values similar to what was written in the bible? Why? How can we use this song as a bridging approach? Do think about this... and feel free to share! ^^ Merry Christmas!!!