In April of 1987, on the way to a performance in Fukuoka, she suddenly collapsed. Rushed to hospital, she was diagnosed with bilateral femoral necrosis brought on by chronic hepatitis. Until August she was confined to hospital and eventually showed signs of recovery. She commenced recording a new song Midaregami in October, and in 1988 performed at a concert called Fushichou konsaato (Phoenix Concert) at the Tokyo Dome. Against overwhelming pain in her legs, she performed a total of 39 songs while assuring her fans that she had completely recovered. However, on 24 May 1989, having been re-admitted to the Juntendou hospital in Tokyo, she died from interstitial pneumonitis at the age of 52.
In July 1989 after her death, she became the first female recipient of the National Prize of Honour (国民栄誉賞) for her longstanding contributions to the music industry.
In 1993, the Misora Hibari-kan opened in Arashiyama, Kyoto. Its popularity with fans and tourists has endured through to the present.
Her most famous song, "Kawa no nagare no yō ni," (1989) was voted #1 in a 1997 NHK poll of the best Japanese songs of all time.
川の流れのように
美空ひばり Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
細く長い この道
振り返れば 遥か遠く
故郷が見える
でこぼこ道や
曲がりくねった道
地図さえない
それもまた 人生
ああ 川の流れのように
ゆるやかに
いくつも 時代は過ぎて
ああ 川の流れのように
とめどなく
空が黄昏に 染まるだけ
生きることは 旅すること
終わりのない この道
愛する人 そばに連れて
夢探しながら
雨に降られて
ぬかるんだ道でも
いつかは また
晴れる日が来るから
ああ 川の流れのように
おだやかに
この身を まかせていたい
ああ 川の流れのように
移りゆく
季節 雪どけを待ちながら
ああ 川の流れのように
おだやかに
この身を まかせていたい
ああ 川の流れのように
いつまでも
青いせせらぎを 聞きながら
The lyrics to 美空ひばり's song 川の流れのように describe a journey through life that is compared to the gentle flow of a river. The singer reflects on the path they have walked so far, acknowledging its twists and turns and the absence of a map to guide them. Despite this uncertainty, they can still see their homeland in the distance. The lyrics emphasize the constant motion of life and the need to keep moving forward, even through difficult times, while holding onto loved ones and a sense of purpose.
The river metaphor is particularly poignant as it suggests both the peacefulness and inevitability of life's journey. The water that flows past us can bring change, help us to navigate and guide and inspire us, even as it carries us in a constant direction towards an unknown future. This sense of uncertainty is balanced by the beauty and importance of the landscapes, relationships and experiences that we encounter along the way.
Overall the lyrics touch on universal themes of nostalgia, hope, and the search for meaning in life. They encourage us to remain resilient and to trust in the natural flow of things, even when we cannot see the path ahead.
Line by Line Meaning
知らず知らず 歩いて来た
I walked this path unconsciously
細く長い この道
This road is narrow and long
振り返れば 遥か遠く
If I look back, my hometown is far away
故郷が見える
I can see my hometown
でこぼこ道や 曲がりくねった道
There are steep and winding roads without maps
地図さえない それもまた 人生
Life has roads without maps and that is just the way it is
ああ 川の流れのように ゆるやかに
Oh, like the gentle flow of a river
いくつも 時代は過ぎて
Many eras have passed
ああ 川の流れのように とめどなく
Oh, endlessly like the flow of a river
空が黄昏に 染まるだけ
The only thing that changes is the sky at dusk
生きることは 旅すること
To live is to journey
終わりのない この道
This road has no end
愛する人 そばに連れて 夢探しながら
I search for my dreams while taking my beloved with me
雨に降られて ぬかるんだ道でも
Even on muddy roads in the rain
いつかは また 晴れる日が来るから
Someday, the sun will come out again
ああ 川の流れのように おだやかに
Oh, gently like the flow of a river
移りゆく 季節 雪どけを待ちながら
As the seasons change, waiting for the snow to melt
ああ 川の流れのように おだやかに
Oh, gently like the flow of a river
この身を まかせていたい
I want to entrust myself to it
ああ 川の流れのように いつまでも
Oh, endlessly like the flow of a river
青いせせらぎを 聞きながら
Lisening to the blue brook
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Akira Mitake, Yasushi Akimoto
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind