He was born Minoru Ōno (大野 穣), in a little town in Hokkaidō, to a fisherman. He was very poor because of the effects of World War II, and he was forced to work while he studied.
When he was about to graduate from high school, he decided to become a singer. His debut single was called "Bungacha-Bushi," which was released in 1962.
He has many famous songs, including "Namida Bune" (1962), "Kyōdai Jingi" (1965), "Yosaku" (1978) and "Kita no Ryōba" (1986). His 1965 song "Kaerokana" was written by lyricist Rokusuke Ei and composer Hachidai Nakamura. He is very popular in Japan partly due to his looks of a physical laborer, and he mostly sings the spirit of Japan's working class and rural laborer. He often appears on Kōhaku Uta Gassen, a TV program at the end of the year where many major Japanese singers gather to perform.
Kitajima released single "Fūfu Isshō" (夫婦一生, lit. "Couple in a Lifetime"?) on January 1, 2010 at the age of 73. It debuted at #10 on the Japanese Oricon weekly single charts. It became the first single to reach Top 10 by a solo artist in his 70s in Oricon charts history.
Although Enka is becoming less popular with the younger generation, he is still Japan's most famous singer. He does a lot of concerts overseas as well, and he is contributing a lot of work to the culture of Japanese music.
In addition to his singing career, Kitajima acted in the role of Tatsugorō on the television series Abarenbō Shōgun. During the quarter-century life of the series, he also sang its theme songs.
まつり
北島三郎 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
かついで 生きてきた
山の神 海の神
今年も本当に ありがとう
白い褌 ひきしめた
裸若衆に 雪が舞う
祭りだ 祭りだ 祭りだ 豊年祭り
土の匂いの しみこんだ
男は祭りで そうさ
男を みがくんだ
山の神 海の神
いのちを本当に ありがとう
船に五色の 旗をたて
海の男が 風を切る
祭りだ 祭りだ 祭りだ 大漁祭り
見ろよ真っ赤な 陽が昇る
伜一番 船をこげ
燃えろよ 涙と汗こそ 男のロマン
俺もどんとまた 生きてやる
これが日本の 祭りだよ
The lyrics to 北島三郎's song "まつり" express the importance of festivals to Japanese culture, and how they have helped shape the lives of the people who participate in them. The opening lines state "Men have carried on festivals and lived by them, thanking the gods of the mountains and the sea. Thank you for another year." This highlights the belief that festivals are not just a celebration, but a way of life that connects the Japanese people to their culture and traditions. As the song continues, it references specific festivals such as the harvest festival and the fishing festival, showcasing the diversity of celebrations in Japan.
The second paragraph describes how festivals have helped shape the identity of the men who participate in them. They are described as being "polished" while thanking the gods of the mountains and the sea for their lives. The lyrics further describe how the festival is a time for men to come together, dress up in traditional clothing and display their strength and vitality. It is a time to celebrate their lives, and the land and sea that provides for them.
In summary, the lyrics of "まつり" celebrate the rich cultural heritage of Japan and showcase the importance of festivals in bringing together communities and connecting them to their traditions.
Line by Line Meaning
男は祭りを そうさ
Men have been living by leading the festival
かついで 生きてきた
We have been carrying our past and living our lives
山の神 海の神
Gods of mountains and seas
今年も本当に ありがとう
Thank you for this year too
白い褌 ひきしめた
Tightening the white loincloth
裸若衆に 雪が舞う
Snow dances on the naked young men
祭りだ 祭りだ 祭りだ 豊年祭り
It's a festival, it's a festival, it's a harvest festival
土の匂いの しみこんだ
Soaked with the smell of the earth
伜その手が 宝物
The hands of the servant are a treasure
男は祭りで そうさ
Men are polished at the festival
男を みがくんだ
They polish the men
いのちを本当に ありがとう
Thank you for your life
船に五色の 旗をたて
Raise a flag of five colors on the ship
海の男が 風を切る
Sea men cut the wind
祭りだ 祭りだ 祭りだ 大漁祭り
It's a festival, it's a festival, it's a great catch festival
見ろよ真っ赤な 陽が昇る
Look, the bright red sun rises
伜一番 船をこげ
Row the boat with the servants at the forefront
燃えろよ 涙と汗こそ 男のロマン
Burn, tears and sweat are a man's romance
俺もどんとまた 生きてやる
I will live my life boldly
これが日本の 祭りだよ
This is a Japanese festival
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Rei Nakanishi
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@crownrecordEnkaKayo
『まつり』作詞：なかにし礼 作曲：原譲二
男は祭りを そうさ
かついで 生きてきた
山の神 海の神
今年も本当に ありがとう
白い褌 ひきしめた
裸若衆に 雪が舞う
祭りだ 祭りだ 祭りだ 豊年祭り
土の匂いの しみこんだ
倅その手が 宝物
男は祭りで そうさ
男を みがくんだ
山の神 海の神
いのちを本当に ありがとう
船に五色の 旗をたて
海の男が 風を切る
祭りだ 祭りだ 祭りだ 大漁祭り
見ろよ真っ赤な 陽が昇る
倅一番 船をこげ
燃えろよ 涙と汗こそ 男のロマン
俺もどんとまた 生きてやる
これが日本の 祭りだよ
@rinne1596
0:01
まつり
作詞：なかにし礼
作曲：原譲二
0:15（前奏部分）
0:37 男は祭りを そうさ
かついで 生きてきた
山の神 海の神
今年も本当に ありがとう
白い褌 ひきしめた
裸若衆に 雪が舞う
祭りだ 祭りだ 祭りだ 豊年祭り
土の匂いの 染み込んだ
倅 その手が 宝物
1:54 （間奏部分）
@crownrecordEnkaKayo
『まつり』作詞：なかにし礼 作曲：原譲二
男は祭りを そうさ
かついで 生きてきた
山の神 海の神
今年も本当に ありがとう
白い褌 ひきしめた
裸若衆に 雪が舞う
祭りだ 祭りだ 祭りだ 豊年祭り
土の匂いの しみこんだ
倅その手が 宝物
男は祭りで そうさ
男を みがくんだ
山の神 海の神
いのちを本当に ありがとう
船に五色の 旗をたて
海の男が 風を切る
祭りだ 祭りだ 祭りだ 大漁祭り
見ろよ真っ赤な 陽が昇る
倅一番 船をこげ
燃えろよ 涙と汗こそ 男のロマン
俺もどんとまた 生きてやる
これが日本の 祭りだよ
@user-ij5gi7nd9m
😂😊 2:15
@user-of3lm4vt8o
いい曲ですね！🙋(^.^) 歌詞ありがとー！🙋(^.^)
@yasuminana2
北島三郎さんの曲はとても心に響きます！
@user-ib1hz5cu4c
怒髪天さんのライブのSEで流れていてとても嬉しかったです!ありがとうございます!😊
@user-bo5rl5ki1h
今年は紅白では聴けないんですね😢😢😢
サブちゃんまだまだ応援してます🎶の歌なのに❤❤❤
@nurikabe1004
お邪魔いたします(*･ω･)*_ _)ﾍﾟｺﾘ アベマTVの 第七回ももいろ歌合戦で大江君が大トリで まつり 熱唱されております。
もしよければ(*･ω･)*_ _)ﾍﾟｺﾘ しがないももクロファンより。 カッコ良かったですよ(*´ω｀*)
@user-zl1ef9vy7o
暴れん坊将軍！お頭！新さん！吉宗様！上様！
@user-rg1yz9zh8w
❤
@user-rs2rt7qj7l
元祖ウイニングライブ‼️