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Kimigayo, the Japanese Anthem
***** Location: Japan
***** Season: Non-seasonal Topic
***** Category: Humanity
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Explanation
"Kimigayo" (君が代) is the national anthem of 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.
During the imperial period, Kimigayo was the official national anthem. When the “Empire of Japan” (imperial period) fell and the “State of Japan” (democratic period) started in 1945, polity was changed from absolutism to democracy. But, the national anthem Kimigayo was not abolished, had long been de facto national anthem during the democratic period (1945–present). It was only legally recognized in 1999 with the passage of Law Regarding the National Flag and National Anthem. During the democratic period, there is controversy over the performance of the anthem at public school ceremonies. Along with the Hinomaru flag, Kimigayo is claimed by some people to be a symbol of Japanese imperialism and militarism.
May your reign
Continue for a thousand,
eight thousand generations,
Until the pebbles
Grow into boulders
Lush with moss
The lyrics first appeared in a poem anthology, Kokin Wakashū, as an anonymous poem
© More in the WIKIPEDIA !
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According to a survey by the Ministry of Education and Science, this spring's graduation ceremonies' enforcement rate of singing "Kimigayo" (the Japanese national anthem) crept ever closer to their target of 100%.
Graduation (sotsugyoo) as KIGO
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Worldwide use
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Things found on the way
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HAIKU
君が世やから人も来て年ごもり
kimi ga yo ya karabito mo kite toshi-gomori
Great Japan--
a foreigner also attends
the year's end service!
Kobayashi Issa
"Great Japan" is my translation of kimi ga yo, a phrase that refers to the emperor's reign and begins the Japanese national anthem.
In 1793, Issa visited the port city of Nagasaki, where he encountered, possibly for the first time, a European-- most likely a Dutchman.
拙者儀も異議なく候君が春
sesshagi mo igi naku sooroo kimi ga haru
even I
have no objection
"Happy New Year!"
Issa
Kimi can signify "you," "my friend," or "the emperor."
Kimi ga haru could therefore mean: "Happy New Year to you" or "Happy New Year to the emperor."
Tr. David Lanoue
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kimigayo ya tsukuma matsuri mo nabe hitsotsu
kojin 1691
In our lord’s time, just one pot each,
Even for the old Tsukuma Festival!
Tr. Robin D. Gill
. Tsukuma Festival (Tsukuma matsuri 筑摩祭 )
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Related words
***** . Banzai" (萬歳)Ten thousand years
a Japanese battle cry
. WKD - LIST of haiku topics and Keywords
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