Hibari Misora (美空ひばり Misora Hibari, May 29, 1937 - June 24, 1989) was a Ja… Read Full Bio ↴Hibari Misora (美空ひばり Misora Hibari, May 29, 1937 - June 24, 1989) was a Japanese singer and the predominant figure in postwar enka music. Born Kazue Kato (加藤和枝) in Yokohama, she was an accomplished singer by the age of seven, and appeared in film for the first time at age 12. Between 1949's Kanashiki kuchibue and 1971's Onna no Hanamichi, she appeared in over 60 movies.

In April of 1987, on the way to a performance in Fukuoka, she suddenly collapsed. Rushed to hospital, she was diagnosed with bilateral femoral necrosis brought on by chronic hepatitis. Until August she was confined to hospital and eventually showed signs of recovery. She commenced recording a new song Midaregami in October, and in 1988 performed at a concert called Fushichou konsaato (Phoenix Concert) at the Tokyo Dome. Against overwhelming pain in her legs, she performed a total of 39 songs while assuring her fans that she had completely recovered. However, on 24 May 1989, having been re-admitted to the Juntendou hospital in Tokyo, she died from interstitial pneumonitis at the age of 52.

In July 1989 after her death, she became the first female recipient of the National Prize of Honour (国民栄誉賞) for her longstanding contributions to the music industry.

In 1993, the Misora Hibari-kan opened in Arashiyama, Kyoto. Its popularity with fans and tourists has endured through to the present.

Her most famous song, "Kawa no nagare no yō ni," (1989) was voted #1 in a 1997 NHK poll of the best Japanese songs of all time.

ひばりづくし
美空ひばり Lyrics

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そろたそろたよ
おどり子そろた
あの子どこの子
あの子どこの子
こいきな子

月の出ぬ間に
鎮守の森で

ぬしとふたりで
ぬしとふたりで
ひとおどり

おどりおどるなら
笑顔でおどれ
笛と太鼓と

笛と太鼓と
手拍子で

Overall Meaning

These lyrics are from the song "ひばりづくし" (Hibarizukushi) by 美空ひばり (MISORA Hibari), a Japanese singer considered one of the greatest Enka singers of all time. Enka is a genre of Japanese music that is often characterized by its emotive and nostalgic lyrics, and is typically accompanied by traditional instruments like the shamisen.

The lyrics depict a festive atmosphere, as indicated by the repeated phrase "そろたそろたよ" (Sorota sorota yo), which signifies that the dancers have gathered. The lyrics then express curiosity about a particular person, asking "あの子どこの子" (Ano ko doko no ko) - "Where is that child from?" The child being referred to is described as playful and affectionate with the phrase "こいきな子" (Koikina ko), which can be translated as "a lovely child."

The following lines describe a scene in a forest at night, with a mention of the moon not yet rising. In this serene setting, the singer and another person start dancing together, repeating the phrase "ぬしとふたりで" (Nushi to futari de) - "Just the two of us." The song then encourages the dancers to dance with a smile, accompanied by the melodies of the flute ("笛") and the drums ("太鼓"), as well as the clapping of hands ("手拍子").

Overall, "ひばりづくし" is a joyful and lively song that celebrates the joy of dancing, while also emphasizing the importance of being happy and enjoying oneself.

Line by Line Meaning

そろたそろたよ
They have gathered, they have gathered. The dancers have gathered.

おどり子そろた
The child dancers have gathered.

あの子どこの子
That child, where is she from?

こいきな子
Such a lovely child.

月の出ぬ間に
In the time before the moon rises.

鎮守の森で
In the sacred forest.

ぬしとふたりで
With only you and me.

ひとおどり
A dance for two.

おどりおどるなら
If you dance, then dance.

笑顔でおどれ
Dance with a smile on your face.

笛と太鼓と
With flutes and drums.