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.
日本海
北島三郎 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
傷つきながら ひとりしょんぼり
夜汽車に乗った
あてない旅ゆえ 心も重く
疲れたこの身の 影さえわびし
ここが涙の すて場所か
能登の岬よ あゝ日本海
泣き泣き砂に あの娘の名前を
書いては消した
忘れて生きると 誓ってきたに
別れてしみじみ 想いはつのる
波よ笑うか 未練な奴と
能登の岬よ あゝ日本海
なまり色した あゝ日本海
These lyrics are from the song "日本海" by 北島三郎. The song expresses feelings of heartbreak and loneliness through the metaphorical imagery of the Japan Sea (also known as the Sea of Japan). Let's analyze the lyrics in four paragraphs.
In the first paragraph, the singer shares his experiences of being broken in both dreams and love. Despite the wounds he has endured, he finds himself alone and sorrowful. He boards a night train, embarking on a journey without a specific destination, which weighs heavily on his heart. The weariness he feels even extends to his own shadow, emphasizing the loneliness and desolation he is experiencing. He wonders if this place, the Noto Cape, is where tears go to be discarded, symbolizing a place for emotional release.
The second paragraph depicts the setting sun sinking into the sea and the sea birds returning home. The singer, in a state of sadness, writes and erases the name of a girl in the sand, as if trying to forget her. He had promised himself to live on and let go, but the memories of their separation deepen the depth of his emotions. He wonders if the waves mock him, laughing at his lingering attachment. The mention of Noto Cape and the Japan Sea once again emphasizes the presence of his emotions in this backdrop.
In the final paragraph, the lyrics describe the Japan Sea with the words "なまり色した," which can be translated as "dyed in lingering colors." This line may be suggesting that the sea itself reflects the lingering emotions and memories of the singer. The repetition of "あゝ日本海" (ah, Japan Sea) throughout the song reinforces its significance, highlighting the connection between the natural elements and the singer's emotional state.
Overall, the song "日本海" portrays the singer's feelings of heartache and solitude, using the symbolism of the Japan Sea to represent his emotional journey. The lyrics reflect on broken dreams, lost love, and the struggle to move on, all against the backdrop of Noto Cape and the vastness of the sea.
Line by Line Meaning
夢に破れ 恋にも破れ
Broken dreams and broken love
傷つきながら ひとりしょんぼり
Suffering while being alone and lonely
夜汽車に乗った
Riding the night train
あてない旅ゆえ 心も重く
Because of aimless travel, the heart becomes heavy
疲れたこの身の 影さえわびし
Even the shadow of this tired body is lonely
ここが涙の すて場所か
Is this the place to shed tears?
能登の岬よ あゝ日本海
Oh Japan Sea, Cape Noto
夕陽が沈む 海鳥かえる
The setting sun, sea birds returning
泣き泣き砂に あの娘の名前を
Crying, writing the girl's name on the sand
書いては消した
Writing and erasing
忘れて生きると 誓ってきたに
Swearing to live on and forget
別れてしみじみ 想いはつのる
Deeply feeling the separation, emotions accumulate
波よ笑うか 未練な奴と
Waves, will you laugh with the regretful ones?
能登の岬よ あゝ日本海
Oh Japan Sea, Cape Noto
なまり色した あゝ日本海
Oh Japan Sea, with its beautiful color
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: 譲二 原
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind