二流の人
海援隊 Lyrics

These lyrics are from the song "二流の人" (Niryū no Hito) by 海援隊 (Kaientai). The song tells the story of Kuroda Kanbee (also known as Kuroda Nagamasa), a samurai who served under three famous warlords: Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and Tokugawa Ieyasu. The lyrics explore the theme of Kuroda's perceived lack of success and the hardships he endured throughout his life.

The first verse speaks about Kuroda's disillusionment with the pursuit of power and his willingness to hand it over to someone else if they desired it. It mentions how Tokugawa Ieyasu won the Battle of Sekigahara by luck and suggests that the armor he wears must be light because of his lack of true experience. The mention of the Hundred-Day Battle at Sekigahara indicates that if it had continued, Kuroda could have claimed the world as his own.

In the next verse, it is revealed that Kuroda faithfully served and fought for the three warlords in their quest for control over Japan. However, now that he has retired, he no longer has any attachment to the world and its struggles. Kuroda's bitter laughter reflects the irony of his life, as he dedicated himself to the ambitions of others and did not achieve personal success or recognition.

The following lines mention the defeat of Ishida Mitsunari, who led an army of one hundred thousand soldiers against Ieyasu and was defeated. This highlights Kuroda's observation of Mitsunari's foolishness and the consequences of aspiring for power without the necessary strengths or abilities. It is implied that if Kuroda had been in Mitsunari's position, he would have conquered not only Fukuoka (Hakata) but also Osaka and Kyoto.

The chorus repeats Kuroda's bitter laughter and his lament of being a "niryū no hito" or a second-rate person. It emphasizes his perceived lack of luck and the futility of his life. Kuroda's laughter is a mixture of resignation and acknowledgment of his own misfortune.

The final verse employs the metaphor of writing in flowing water to symbolize the insignificance and transience of Kuroda's existence. It conveys the idea that his life has been a fruitless endeavor, prompting others to mock him as a second-rate person. The repetition of Kuroda's bitter laughter underscores his resignation and acceptance of his fate.