湖上の尺八
伊藤久男 Lyrics

The lyrics of 伊藤久男's song 湖上の尺八 describe the aftermath of a battle near Taihu Lake. The reflections of the singer center on the melancholic moonlight and the cold wind that stir the waters of the vast lake. He listens to the distant sounds of cannon fire, reminiscent of the battle that only just ended with the emerging dawn. He thinks about his fallen comrades, their bravery and loyalty, and how he now plays their shakuhachi as a bittersweet memento of their friendship. The music invokes a visceral response, evoking the memories of blood and flesh, reminding him of the violent reality of war that they faced. The singer also thinks about a fellow soldier who was skilled at the shakuhachi, how he played it to rally the troops, and how he remembered home and family while sleeping under the stars.

The song speaks of the haunting power of music, the way it can evoke emotions, memories, and awaken the spirit of the departed. The shakuhachi becomes a symbol of both life and death, a testimony to the fleeting nature of existence, and the fragility of peace. The lyrics convey a deep sense of loss, grief, and remembrance, reminding the listener that the cost of war is always high and that every life lost is a treasure forever gone.