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.

柔
美空ひばり Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

勝つと思うな思えば負けよ
負けてもともとこの胸の
奥に生きてる柔の夢が
一生一度を一生一度を
待っている

人は人なりのぞみもあるが
捨てゝ立つ瀬を越えもする

せめて今宵は人間らしく
恋の涙を恋の涙を噛みしめる

口で言うより手の方が早い
馬鹿を相手の時じゃない
行くも住(とま)るも

座(すわ)るも臥(ふ)すも
柔一すじ柔一すじ夜が明ける

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of the song 柔 by 美空ひばり express the idea that winning or losing is not what ultimately matters. Regardless of the outcome, the dream of tenderness (柔の夢) residing deeply in one's heart is what truly counts. The phrase "勝つと思うな思えば負けよ" translates to "Don't think that you'll win; if you believe that, you're already a loser." This demonstrates the importance of humility and being realistic about one's abilities. The song then shifts to discuss the challenges of life and the importance of persevering through them, as the line "捨てず立つ瀬を越えもする" means "Crossing the threshold without hindrance, without giving up."

The second verse of the song further explores the idea of striving to be human and feel human emotions. The line "口で言うより手の方が早い" suggests that actions speak louder than words, and it's better to act quickly than to waste time explaining oneself. The lyrics then urge listeners to experience the pain of love and "噛みしめる" (literally meaning to "chew on" or "savor" but in this context, it means to face or feel) the tears that come with it. The final line "柔一すじ柔一すじ夜が明ける" means that tenderness is the most important trait, and even when traveling, resting, or sleeping, being tender is the best way to live.

Overall, the lyrics of 柔 express a message of humility, perseverance, and tenderness as the qualities that truly matter in life.

Line by Line Meaning

勝つと思うな思えば負けよ
Don't think you'll win, because if you think you'll lose

負けてもともとこの胸の
Even if you lose, deep down in this heart

奥に生きてる柔の夢が
Lives a dream of gentleness

一生一度を一生一度を
That's waiting for the once-in-a-lifetime chance

待っている
To come

人は人なりのぞみもあるが
People will be people, and though they have hopes

捨てゝ立つ瀬を越えもする
Abandoning their families, they will venture forth

せめて今宵は人間らしく
At least for tonight, acting human

恋の涙を恋の涙を噛みしめる
Bite into the tears of love

口で言うより手の方が早い
It's faster to use your hands than to talk