Shizuka Kudo (Kudou Shizuka, 工藤静香, born 14 April 1970) is a Japanese singer… Read Full Bio ↴Shizuka Kudo (Kudou Shizuka, 工藤静香, born 14 April 1970) is a Japanese singer and J-Pop idol who made her debut on 31 August 1987. She was also a member of the groups おニャン子クラブ (Onyanko Club) and うしろ髪ひかれ隊 (Ushirogami Hikaretai). Early on in her career, she was also a member of the idol trio セブンティーンクラブ (Seventeen Club), which broke up after only two singles.

She was born in Chuuou, Tokyo, and married SMAP member Takuya Kimura (木村拓哉) in 2000. They have two daughters: Kokomi (2001) and Mitsuki (2003).

曼珠沙華
工藤静香 Lyrics

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涙にならない悲しみのある事を知ったのは
ついこの頃
形にならない幸福が何故かしら重いのも
そうこの頃
あなたへの手紙
最後の一行　思いつかない
どこでけじめをつけましょ
窓辺の花が咲いた時

はかなく花が散った時
いいえあなたに愛された時

マンジューシャカ恋する女は
マンジューシャカ罪作り
白い花さえ真紅に染める

あてにはならない約束をひたすらに待ち続け
そう今でも
言葉にならない優しさをひたむきに追いかける
そう今でも
あなたへの想い
どこまで行ったら止まるのかしら
そんな自分をもて余す
机の花が揺れた時
ほのかに花が匂う時
いいえあなたに愛された時

マンジューシャカ恋する女は
マンジューシャカ罪作り
命すべてを　もやし尽すの

マンジューシャカ恋する女は

マンジューシャカ罪作り
白い夢さえ真紅に染める

Overall Meaning

The song 曼珠沙華 by 工藤静香 is a ballad that expresses the bittersweet emotions of passionate and unrequited love. The opening lines set the tone for the song as the singer reveals that they have recently learned about the existence of sadness that is so profound it cannot even bring tears. This is followed by the realization that intangible happiness can also feel heavy, adding to the complexity of emotions the singer is experiencing.

The lyrics then shift to a letter the singer has written but is unable to complete, unsure of how to say goodbye to a person they love. The imagery of the flower at the window serves as a metaphor for the fleeting nature of love, reminding the singer that they were happiest when they were loved by the person they couldn't let go of.

The chorus of the song introduces the title phrase, "曼珠沙華" or "Manjushaka" which refers to the red spider lily, a flower often associated with death and fleeting beauty. The lyrics describe how love can turn a woman into a "Manjushaka," painting her white dreams red with the intensity of her passion. The song then concludes with a statement of commitment to love, with the singer choosing to pour their entire being into the pursuit of a love that may never be returned.

Overall, the song captures the emotional ups and downs of being deeply in love, while also acknowledging the inevitability of heartbreak and loss.

Line by Line Meaning

涙にならない悲しみのある事を知ったのは
I've only recently come to understand the sadness that is too deep to produce tears

ついこの頃
It was just recently

形にならない幸福が何故かしら重いのも
It's strange that intangible happiness can also feel so heavy

そうこの頃
Yes, it's been the case recently

あなたへの手紙
A letter to you

最後の一行　思いつかない
I can't think of the last line

どこでけじめをつけましょ
Where should we draw the line?

窓辺の花が咲いた時
When the flowers by the window bloomed

はかなく花が散った時
When the fleeting flowers scattered

いいえあなたに愛された時
No, it was when I was loved by you