Yumi Matsutōya (松任谷由実, born January 19, 1954) is a Japanese singer-songwrit… Read Full Bio ↴Yumi Matsutōya (松任谷由実, born January 19, 1954) is a Japanese singer-songwriter. She was born in Hachioji, Tokyo. Her nickname is Yuming, which she received at the age of 13 from a Chinese artist, who inspired her to take on a career in music. Her first 4 albums are released under her maiden name, Yumi Arai (荒井由実).

In 1972, she released her debut single Henji wa Iranai (返事はいらない, "No Response Necessary"). The next year she released her first album Hikoki-gumo (ひこうき雲, "Contrail").

In 1976, at the age of 22, she married her producer, Masataka Matsutoya (松任谷正隆), and from then on she went by her new name Yumi Matsutoya. In 1990, she received a gold disc grand prix. She also made appearances in many television commercials. Fans take note of her singing talent as well as her unique singing voice.

She became famous for many songs, including Hikoki-gumo and Haru yo, Koi (春よ、来い, 1994, "Spring, Come") which was used as the opening theme song for a TV drama by the same name. Her song Rouge no Den'gon (ルージュの伝言, "Rouge Message") is featured in the anime film Kiki's Delivery Service from the famed Studio Ghibli.

As reported on various websites, Yuming also writes songs for other singers, using the pen name Kureta Karuho.

Age of our innocence
松任谷由実 Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Age of our innocence ふたり
今誓いを立てよう

朽ち果てそうなこの世界の中で
うんざりしそうなしがらみの中で

唯ひとつ嘘のない愛だけを信じて
苦しさに立ち止まり目の前がにじんでも

I'm believin' my love
時がふたりをひきさくまでは
I'm believin' my love
決して負けたりしないと

Age of our innocence 長い
夜が明けるすぐに

欲望の闇が眠りにつく街に
ゆうべの夢がゴミに変わる街に

ただ白く純粋にきみだけを愛そう
もう誰に裏切られ失望にくれても

I'm believin' my love
横にきみがいてくれる限り
I'm believin' my love
決してよごれはしないと
I'm believin' my love

動物のようなおびえた目をした
きのうの自分を許せる気がする

気高くてでも遠い愛だけをみつめて
音の無い宇宙を永久に彷徨おう

I'm believin' my love
時がふたりをひきさくまでは
I'm believin' my love
決して負けたりしないと

I'm believin' my love
横にきみがいてくれる限り
I'm believin' my love

決してよごれはしないと
I'm believin' my love

Overall Meaning

"Age of our innocence" is a song about the paradisal and innocent love between two people amidst a decaying world and the many encumbrances and disappointments that come with it. The singer sings of her faith in love as the only truth free of lies, even though it can be so painful at times that one cannot help but halt and weep. Despite the trials and tribulations of the world, the singer holds tightly to her partner, and she promises to love and believe in them no matter what. They will not lose, and their love will not tarnish as long as they are together.

The song begins by noting the world's decay, but there is a glimmer of hope in the form of the innocent love shared between the two. The singer promises to love the partner in a pure and virtuous way, even if the rest of the world falls away. There is a sense of protection, safety, and innocence in the singer's tone. The night may be long, and the darkness may be deep, but as long as the two have one another, they will always be together. They are only afraid of reverting to what they were yesterday, a person with animal-like eyes filled with fear, which is why the singer hopes they can continue looking for the pure and distant love.

Line by Line Meaning

Age of our innocence ふたり今誓いを立てよう
Let's make a pledge now, in this age of our innocence when we are alone.

朽ち果てそうなこの世界の中で
In this world that seems to be decaying and deteriorating

うんざりしそうなしがらみの中で
Surrounded by suffocating entanglements

唯ひとつ嘘のない愛だけを信じて
We believe only in truthful love

苦しさに立ち止まり目の前がにじんでも
Even if we stop in pain, our vision may blur, but we keep going.

I'm believin' my love
I believe in my love

時がふたりをひきさくまでは
Until time pulls us apart,

決して負けたりしないと
We will never give up

Age of our innocence 長い夜が明けるすぐに
The long age of our innocence will end soon after this night

欲望の闇が眠りにつく街に
In a city where the darkness of desire falls asleep

ゆうべの夢がゴミに変わる街に
In a city where last night's dreams turn to garbage.