Kiyoshi Hikawa (Japanese: 氷川きよし, Hikawa Kiyoshi), real name Kiyoshi Yamada… Read Full Bio ↴Kiyoshi Hikawa (Japanese: 氷川きよし, Hikawa Kiyoshi), real name Kiyoshi Yamada, (山田清志), born on September 6, 1977, is a Japanese enka singer. He was born in Fukuoka city in Fukuoka Prefecture. His record company is "Columbia Music Entertainment", and his agency is "Nagara Productions". He debuted in 2000. He was given his stage name by Takeshi Kitano, otherwise known as "Beat Takeshi", the Japanese film director, comedian, and television personality who initially supported his career.

* Despite his normal appearance and personality, he has an extraordinary singing power. He is known as the "prince of enka" in Japan.
* He is popular with both young and old. In particular, he is popular with people in their twenties who don't usually listen to Enka.
* Unlike most enka singers, he does not often wear kimono, but usually sings in Western clothes.
* He also records pop music under the name "KIYOSHI".

哀愁の湖
氷川きよし Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

白樺の林抜(ぬ)ければ
女神像眠る湖
星になったあの女(ひと)と
来るはずだった
岸辺にひとり今はたたずむ
忘れない... 忘れない...
二度と二度と二度と逢えない
遠いひとだけど

風渡る白い教会
鐘の音(ね)が空に響くよ
倖せな歳月(としつき)は
終わったけれど
別れの言葉今は言えない
清らかに... 清らかに...
こころこころこころ燃やした
恋のまぼろしよ
愛してる... 愛してる...
二度と二度と二度と逢えない
遠いひとだけど
愛してる... 愛してる...

二度と二度と二度と逢えない
遠いひとだけど

Overall Meaning

The song "哀愁の湖" or "Lake of Sorrow" by 氷川きよし paints a vivid picture of a woman statue sleeping by a peaceful lake surrounded by white birch trees. The singer envisions meeting his past lover who has become a star in the sky, only to realize that it can never happen again. Standing alone on the shore, he remembers the beautiful memories and admits to himself that he still loves her deeply. He describes a white church with ringing bells echoing in the wind, signifying that although happiness has ended, life continues. The song ends with the confession of his love for this faraway person, although they can never meet again.

The song expresses the bittersweet nostalgia for the past, the pain of separation, and the inevitability of time passing by. The beauty of the natural surroundings described in the lyrics adds a layer of melancholy and longing for what could have been. The imagery of the white birch trees, the sleeping statue, and the ringing church bells creates a sense of peace and sadness that lingers in the heart. The song is a tribute to the memories of the past and a reminder of the fleeting nature of time.

Line by Line Meaning

白樺の林抜(ぬ)ければ
When I leave the birch forest

女神像眠る湖
I approach a sleeping goddess statue by the lake

星になったあの女(ひと)と
I was supposed to meet that woman who became a star

来るはずだった
But she never came

岸辺にひとり今はたたずむ
Now I stand alone by the shore

忘れない... 忘れない...
I can't forget... I won't forget...

二度と二度と二度と逢えない
That distant person I'll never ever see again

遠いひとだけど
Even though I was separated from them by distance

風渡る白い教会
A white church where the wind blows

鐘の音(ね)が空に響くよ
The sound of the bell echoes in the sky

倖せな歳月(としつき)は
Those happy months and years