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.

剣ひとすじ
美空ひばり Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

剣は相手を倒せるけれど
人の心は斬られまい
強いばかりが勝ちじゃない
泣ける弱さが人間なのさ
淋しさがああ
淋しさが白刃を染める

剣に生きよか情けに死のか

いつも迷いがつきまとう
ままよ誇りも剣も捨て
俺も生きたや女のために
別れてもああ別れても
忘れるものか

剣は勝ってもいつかは滅ぶ
これがはかない世のさだめ
待つか進むか退くか
耐えて貫ぬく孤独の旅路

ひとすじのああひとすじの
男の道よ

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to 美空ひばり's song 剣ひとすじ (One Path of the Sword) speak about the dichotomy between strength and vulnerability, as well as the transient nature of power. The song reflects on the idea that while a sword can defeat an opponent, it cannot conquer the human heart. The lyrics emphasize that strength alone does not guarantee victory; it is the ability to experience and express vulnerability that truly makes us human. The feeling of loneliness is depicted as something that stains the blade, suggesting that it is an integral part of our existence.

The lyrics also touch upon the eternal struggle of choosing between living by the sword or dying with mercy. The singer is constantly plagued by doubt and uncertainty, pondering whether to embrace the way of the sword or show compassion towards others. The song encourages the character to discard both pride and the sword in order to live for the sake of a woman, highlighting the transformative power of love.

Ultimately, the lyrics convey the message that even though swords may win battles, they eventually meet their demise. They symbolize the fleeting nature of worldly power and the ephemeral nature of life itself. The song presents a choice between waiting, advancing, or retreating, and encourages perseverance and endurance in the face of the solitary journey that life often presents.

Line by Line Meaning

剣は相手を倒せるけれど
Though a sword can defeat an opponent

人の心は斬られまい
It cannot slash through a person's heart

強いばかりが勝ちじゃない
Strength alone does not guarantee victory

泣ける弱さが人間なのさ
Vulnerability and the ability to shed tears is what makes us human

淋しさがああ
Ah, the feeling of loneliness

淋しさが白刃を染める
Loneliness stains the edge of the blade

剣に生きよか情けに死のか
Should I live by the sword or die with compassion?

いつも迷いがつきまとう
Doubt always follows me

ままよ誇りも剣も捨て
Let it be, I will abandon both pride and sword

俺も生きたや女のために
I also lived for the sake of women

別れてもああ別れても
Even in parting, ah, even in parting