Red dragonflies are seen throughout Japan in autumn. The lyrics were written by a poet called Rofu Miki, who saw red dragonflies and recalled his childhood and the nursemaid who looked after him. This song was not well known at first, but after it was used in a Japanese movie released in 1955, it became very popular.
“Akatonbo” ranked first in a 2003 survey of Japanese people’s most favorite folk songs. This song, with its warm and a little sad lyrics of past memories and a beautiful nostalgic melody, has been deeply loved by the Japanese. The meaning of the last half of Verse 3 is unclear and there are other interpretations than the one in this video.
The ゴミ収集車 (garbage truck) in the town that I lived in in Japan played this song as it drove around the neighborhood in the early hours of the morning. I remember hearing the tune ring out through the valleys from a mile away when I'd be walking to my school on the morning. In all weathers, in all seasons, I'd hear this tune at the same time every morning without fail in my town. It was the soundtrack of my village and my walk to work. I miss that time
I am actually here from an episode of ojamjo doremi (おジャ魔女) where two characters fight when they're little and reunite over this song and i was curious to know what this song was :). I wonder if ojamjo doremi was popular in Japan
Found this after hearing the melody on ep 1 Spring Has Come (Japanese: 春が来た Hepburn: Harugakita). Thank you so much for sharing. It brought tears for me also, as if it was a hidden life. What did happen to the nursemaid? Now I will look for Kokoni izumi ari (ここに泉あり. The web can be a web of 'LIGHT', please continue to share your light....
Thank you for watching! In old Japan, a married woman had to stay away from her parents' house to get used to her husband's family, so it was not rare that nothing was heard from her once she got married and left her hometown. So his nursemaid's marriage must have been a sad parting for the young lyricist. I'm glad if this song brought light to your heart :)
+Aram Roshani Yes, there are many folk songs about animals or insects. In my folk song series, #20 Tonbo no megane (Dragonflies' Glasses) th-cam.com/video/kZPU70ImUAI/w-d-xo.html, #24 Usagi (The rabbit) th-cam.com/video/NYQ9Tue02f4/w-d-xo.html, #28 Shojoji no tanukibayashi (The Raccoon Dogs' Concert at Shojoji Temble) th-cam.com/video/_vj5K2JIGLM/w-d-xo.html. Others are Zosan (Elephant), Katatsumuri (Snails), Hotaru (Fireflies), Kaeru no uta (Frogs' Song) and so on.
Thank you for making this video! This is one of my favorite songs to play on the koto. Do you allow people to use your translations in their videos with credit? If not, then I understand. Have a great day, and keep up the great work :D
Thank you McDonald Japan , for introducing me to this beautiful song ! ^_^
I discovered this wonderful song in the movie " Giovanni no Shima" and became crazy of it
Giovanni no Shima is an amazing movie!
I discovered it from that movie too.. so sad and beautiful
same bruh
Red dragonflies are seen throughout Japan in autumn. The lyrics were written by a poet called Rofu Miki, who saw red dragonflies and recalled his childhood and the nursemaid who looked after him. This song was not well known at first, but after it was used in a Japanese movie released in 1955, it became very popular.
Hi,
What movie was in from 1955?
My mother remembered the song from a movie she saw many years ago, and she'd be very happy to find out which movie.
@@ralphkatz1 maybe giovanni no shima?
“Akatonbo” ranked first in a 2003 survey of Japanese people’s most favorite folk songs. This song, with its warm and a little sad lyrics of past memories and a beautiful nostalgic melody, has been deeply loved by the Japanese. The meaning of the last half of Verse 3 is unclear and there are other interpretations than the one in this video.
Omg I remember singing this is music class as a little kid aaaa thanks for reminding me TH-cam
The ゴミ収集車 (garbage truck) in the town that I lived in in Japan played this song as it drove around the neighborhood in the early hours of the morning. I remember hearing the tune ring out through the valleys from a mile away when I'd be walking to my school on the morning. In all weathers, in all seasons, I'd hear this tune at the same time every morning without fail in my town. It was the soundtrack of my village and my walk to work. I miss that time
So beautiful song...
Nice ! A wonderful Sunday to you my dear friend !
This brings tears of joy for childhood memories!
This melody makes me cry
Yeah, it's simple but moving.
Me too
It's too beautiful it's like I heard this before but no 😭
Learning this in chorus class❤❤
Gorgeous
I really like this song after watching the anime Giovanni no shima
I am actually here from an episode of ojamjo doremi (おジャ魔女) where two characters fight when they're little and reunite over this song and i was curious to know what this song was :). I wonder if ojamjo doremi was popular in Japan
Found this after hearing the melody on ep 1 Spring Has Come (Japanese: 春が来た Hepburn: Harugakita).
Thank you so much for sharing. It brought tears for me also, as if it was a hidden life. What did happen to the nursemaid?
Now I will look for Kokoni izumi ari (ここに泉あり. The web can be a web of 'LIGHT', please continue to share your light....
Thank you for watching! In old Japan, a married woman had to stay away from her parents' house to get used to her husband's family, so it was not rare that nothing was heard from her once she got married and left her hometown. So his nursemaid's marriage must have been a sad parting for the young lyricist. I'm glad if this song brought light to your heart :)
I also heard it in Spring has Come XD
We're singing this in choir! Or at least we were.. covid took that bis over.
私はそれが好きです。ありがとう！
日系日本人草
Thanks a lot for your very fast reply
Giọng hát trong veo, thật tuyệt vời
Konnishiwa : Please tell me, are there other folk songs about the animals or insects in Japanese folk songs? Thanks advance. Harigato
+Aram Roshani Yes, there are many folk songs about animals or insects. In my folk song series, #20 Tonbo no megane (Dragonflies' Glasses) th-cam.com/video/kZPU70ImUAI/w-d-xo.html, #24 Usagi (The rabbit) th-cam.com/video/NYQ9Tue02f4/w-d-xo.html, #28 Shojoji no tanukibayashi (The Raccoon Dogs' Concert at Shojoji Temble) th-cam.com/video/_vj5K2JIGLM/w-d-xo.html. Others are Zosan (Elephant), Katatsumuri (Snails), Hotaru (Fireflies), Kaeru no uta (Frogs' Song) and so on.
you said it was used in Japanese Movie in 1955, what was the name of the movie.. just curious
+Lily Lilyq The title is "Kokoni izumi ari (ここに泉あり）." The movie seems to have been a big hit at that time.
Iam here from the book river in darkness
it's so similar to Bashkortostan's himn
kawaii
Thank you :)
Hi CBW
Thank you for making this video! This is one of my favorite songs to play on the koto. Do you allow people to use your translations in their videos with credit? If not, then I understand. Have a great day, and keep up the great work :D
うるわしいです こえわ ^^ ...well, I hope it's correct.
Well if you want to say beautifull voice then you can type 綺麗な声ですね
I have to sing this song in choir. (I highly dislike this song) /:
Appreciation for this song develops with older age, when you can look back on your childhood with fondness.