Despite already having released three albums, "Passion" in 2001, "Dream of Love - Ai no yume -" in 2004 and "Ifu Dodo" in 2005, Akikawa, called "Akki" by fans, remained relatively unpopular, and even his most successful single to date "Sen no kaze ni natte" (I am a thousand winds) was ranked the single with the lowest initial sales, selling only 513 copies in the week of its debut.
Things changed with Akikawa's appearance at the annual Japanese music show "Kohaku Uta Gassen", aired at New Year's Eve and watched by millions of Japanese every year.
After his appearance in 2006 the sales for "Sen no kaze...", originally released in May 2006, skyrocketed, as well as the sales for "Ifu Dodo".
Furthermore, the song was used as a basis for a 4-part drama series, in which various actors replay the true stories of people whose lives have been affected by "Sen no kaze..."
The single was eventually announced best-selling single of 2007, with Akikawa appearing on Kohaku again in 2007, having given a total of 160 live performances over the year.
Since then, Akikawa has released two further albums, one in 2008, named after his most successful single, and "Fantasista" in 2010.
A Concert DVD has been released in 2010 and most recently, in March 2012.
Akikawa continues his busy touring schedule and appears on stages all over Japan every year.
旅立ちの日に
秋川雅史 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
遥かな空の果てまでも 君は飛び立つ
限り無く青い空に 心ふるわせ
自由を駆ける鳥よ ふり返ることもせず
勇気を翼にこめて 希望の風にのり
このひろい大空に 夢をたくして
懐かしい友の声 ふとよみがえる
意味もないいさかいに 泣いたあのとき
みんなすぎたけれど 思いで強く抱いて
勇気を翼にこめて 希望の風にのり
このひろい大空に 夢をたくして
いま 別れのとき
飛び立とう 未来信じて
弾む若い力信じて
このひろい
このひろい 大空に
いま 別れのとき
飛び立とう 未来信じて
弾む若い力信じて
このひろい
このひろい 大空に
In the song 旅立ちの日に by 秋川雅史, the lyrics describe the departure of a loved one who is embarking on a journey. The first line talks about the mountains glowing in the midst of white light while the person takes flight into the far reaches of the sky. The blue sky, which seems infinite, fills the heart with excitement and the person feels like a bird of freedom, not even looking back. With courage in their wings, they ride the winds of hope and dreams in this vast sky. The memories of past times rush back, the times of disputes when tears were shed, but also the days of happiness when they hugged each other with joy. Even though those days have passed, the person holds onto those memories tightly with hope and courage, flying high into the limitless sky of dreams.
The lyrics convey a message of hope and encouragement, reminding listeners that their loved ones are always with them in their memories. The departure of a loved one is a difficult experience, but this song offers the comfort that the person is not alone and that they can find strength within themselves to continue moving forward.
Line by Line Meaning
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The mountains are glowing in white light.
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You're going to fly to the ends of the distant sky.
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Your heart is trembling in the endless blue sky.
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Like a bird freely flying, without looking back.
???????? ???????
With courage in your wings, ride on the winds of hope.
???????? ??????
Fill this vast sky with your dreams.
??????? ???????
Suddenly, the voice of a dear friend echoes.
?????????? ???????
That time when we cried over something meaningless.
?????????? ???????
The day we embraced with overwhelming happiness in our hearts.
????????? ????????
Though time has passed, we still hold onto these memories strongly.
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Now it's time to say goodbye, to fly with faith in the future and belief in our youthful energy, toward this vast, vast sky.
Writer(s): 小嶋 登, 坂本 浩美, 小嶋 登, 坂本 浩美
Contributed by Oliver T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.