This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Statusquo (talk | contribs) at 06:57, 30 October 2004 (Translated Much of the Japanese summary of Kimi Ga Yo,). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.
Revision as of 06:57, 30 October 2004 by Statusquo (talk | contribs) (Translated Much of the Japanese summary of Kimi Ga Yo,)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)Kimi Ga Yo(君が代) (May 1,000 Years of Happy Reign Be Yours) is Japan's National Anthem。
Kimi Ga Yo has long been traditionally treated as Japan's National Anthem, but was only legally recognized as such in the 1999 "Law Concerning the National Flag and Anthem". The lyrics are based on a Waka poem written in the Heian Period. In the Meiji Period, Hiromori Hayashi wrote a melody to go along with the words.
Lyrics
| Kimi ga yo wa Chiyo ni, |
May thy life (my Lord's reign), |
君が代は |
Song Origin and Explanation
Origin
Originally spread as an ancient Japanese Poem from the Heian Period (first published in "Kokin-wakashu"), the lyrics are in the Tanka form of poetry. The author is unknown. Another explanation is that the author was of the lower classes and such his name was forgotten. The poem was included in many collections of great poetry, and in a later period used as a celebration song by people of all walks of life.
In 1869, Han Satsuma's officer Iwao Oyama decided that a national anthem or ceremonial song should be created, and after much urging allowed English Infantryman John William Fenton to use the melody of his favorite composition for the music. At the time most of Japan's modernization had been accomplished by following England's example, it is also said that the lyrics were chosen for their similarity to the English National Anthem.
Although the melody was originally written by Fenton, in 1880 the Imperial Household Agency, aiming for a sound more inclined to the Japanese ear, used a melody written collaberatively by Yoshiisa Oku and Akimori Hayashi although the writer is often listed as their boss (and Akimori's Father) Hiromori Hayashi. German musician Franz Von Eckert provided western style harmony.
Since then, Kimi Ga Yo has been customarily treated as Japan's National Anthem.
Incidentally, Kimi Ga Yo won first prize at the "World National Anthem Contest" held in Germany in 1903.
Commentary
The beginning phrase-"Kimi Ga Yo"-was originally written "Wa Ga Kimi"(我が君, also approximately translated to "My Lord"). As time passed, the form using "Kimi Ga Yo" spread. At this point in time "Kimi" meant "Monarch" or "Emperor". However, in a time without mass communication, to the common people the Emperor seemed to be an untouchable, unimaginable god, floating above the clouds and a thing of long ago legend or fairy tales. So, it is also possible that the lyrics praying for the long life of "My Lord" were seperated from any sort of loyalty and used instead as a prayer for the continuation of peace. For this reason, when the peacefuly Heian Period changed to the bloody Edo Period, the song once again became used as a simple celebration song among common people. To go along with this, the meaning of "Kimi" also underwent a transformation. For example, when the song was sung in celebration of a wedding, "Kimi" came to mean the groom and the song was used to wish for the groom's long life and his family's health.
Incidentally, the version of the song that was published in the Elementary Student's Song Book (First Edition) maintained by the Japanese Ministry of Education (released in 1881) was longer than the current version and suprisingly, there was also a second version. It was derived from an English Hymn.
Change in Public Opinion
Although Oyama and company caused Kimi Ga Yo to be known exclusively as a National Anthem, with it's reputation as a great poem, and the Emperor of Japan "Holding all Sovereign Power" (according to the Meiji Constitution, before World War II the song was well liked as a theme of peace for the nation.
Ever since the end of World War Two, there have been many liberal thinkers who criticized Japan's International Policy as Militaristic, and at the same time, criticize the ideology that led to this militarism. They cite the examples of belief that the Japanese were superior and the invasion and colonial rule of the Asia-Pacific Region (and the accompanying imperial education policy), and using this as justification, criticize the entire imperial system, including "Kimi Ga Yo" which had come to be known as an imperial praise song.
From 1996 the Japanese Ministry of Education has required all schools to simultaneously raise the Flag of Japan while the students and teachers sing Kimi Ga Yo. However, those opposed to this have said this is against the Constitution of Japan's provision for free thought, and this has become a large social problem. In 1999, at a Hiroshima Prefecture high school's graduation ceremony, several teachers refused to participate in the raising of the flag and singing Kimi Ga Yo. The school principal, conflicted between the demands of the Ministry of Education and the Teachers, eventually committed suicide. This served as one motive for the passage of the "Law Concerning the National Flag and Anthem".
However, even after the law was passed, the Liberal groups who say the raising of the flag and singing of Kimi Ga Yo violates the right to free thought and the Conservative groups who say the practice is essential for learning love for Japan continue to clash, and in several areas this is continuing to be a problem.
Viewpoints Against Kimi Ga Yo
- Militarism is not compatible with Japan's Democracy
- Kimi Ga Yo's "Kimi"'s meaning is "Monarch" or "Emperor", and as Japan is a Democratic Country, a National Anthem praising the Emperor is not appropriate.
- The forced participation in a ceremony involving the singing of Kimi Ga Yo is against the free thought clause in the Japanese Constitution.
- The melody is bad and hard to sing. The atmosphere is gloomy.
- Small rocks becoming big rocks is unscientific.
Viewpoints For Kimi Ga Yo
- Kimi Ga Yo has been the de-facto National Anthem of Japan since the Meiji Period and is an important way to elevate patriotism.
- Kimi Ga Yo is an important way to foster loyalty to the emperor, which is an important national characteristic of Japan.
- If you compare Kimi Ga Yo democratic countries' (for example England's God Save The Queen) National Anthems, this sort of praise of a ruler is very natural.
- Many composite stones are made out of smaller stones, so it is in fact scientific.
See also
External links
- Listen to Kimi ga yo (.au format)
- web-japan.org