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.
Echigojishi no uta
美空ひばり Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴
こんな涙を 誰が知る
踏まれながらに 生き抜いて
路ばたにはえる 草のよな
強い 強い 女になりました
咲かずに散っては いけないと
そんな自分に むちを打つ
路ばたにはえる 草のよな
強い 強い 女になりました
私のこの体の中には
日本に生まれた
古い血が流れています
そんな人間の少なくなった今日でも
おてんと様だけは
私を照らしてくれました
辛いこの世を 生き抜いて
路ばたにはえる 草のよな
強い 強い 女になりました
The lyrics to "Zassoh No Uta" by 美空ひばり (Misora Hibari) convey a message of resilience and strength in the face of adversity. The opening lines describe the singer's journey from birth until the present moment, enduring hardships that go unnoticed by others. The mention of tears reflects the emotional weight carried by the singer throughout her life. Despite being trampled on, she has managed to survive and grow, likening herself to a strong and resilient grass growing on the roadside.
The next lines emphasize the importance of not withering away without blooming. The singer motivates herself by acknowledging the pain and challenges of this world, vowing to endure and overcome them. Once again, she compares herself to the grass growing on the roadside, drawing strength from its ability to thrive in difficult conditions.
The following lines shift the focus to the singer's heritage and identity. She mentions that within her body flows the blood of her ancestors, who were born in Japan. She reflects on the rarity of people who still hold onto their traditional roots in today's society. Despite this, the singer finds solace in the belief that a higher power, symbolically referred to as "おてんと様" (otento-sama), continues to guide and illuminate her path. This divine presence has given her strength and the ability to navigate the hardships of life, just like the grass growing on the roadside.
Overall, "Zassoh No Uta" carries a message of resilience, perseverance, and the strength that can be found in one's heritage and connection to something greater.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: 加藤和枝
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
ラムネ薫
こんなに若い2人がどうやってこの曲にたどり着いて演奏に至ってるんでしょうか？素敵な連弾です。母に聞かせたい。
ハレルヤMi
そんな思いの為にも、このコロナの収束を心から神に祈るばかりです。
皆さん、風さんの音楽に励まして頂き、共にこの試練を乗り越えましょう！
Kuu* tanaka
哀調あるこの唄も、ピアノで奏でると更に心に響き ましてや Sorakazeさんご兄弟の演奏しているお二人の姿は清らかで 爽やかな姿を拝聴＊拝見出来る事に感謝です🌈。
kannon808
This is incredibly pleasant to listen to. The rhythm, the emotion... just perfect.
pen Tagon
人の様々な心境を癒すには、言葉は不要ですね。音楽🎼には、其の力が有ります。
何時も二人の演奏が、心を癒して呉れます。
有難う。！！
ハレルヤMi
病院、老人ホームや施設訪問、教会でのボランティア演奏をなさって、闘病中や年配の方々に喜んで貰えたら～と言う、藤井家の皆さんの思いに感動しながら、今夜も喜びに浸っています。
今は世界中の人々に愛を運ぶ素晴らしい風さんになって、何百万もの人間を幸せにして下さっていますね！本当にこの感動をありがとうございます！
そんな中でも、小さな演奏会で辛い時を頑張っている人達を慰めて下さる時を是非忘れずに大切にして頂けますよう祈っています☆
ハレルヤMi
訂正～何百万もの人達を！
Fumiko Onishi
美空ひばりさんでもこの歌は知らない…ホント選曲の幅広すぎ😳
美沙子 石田
おはようございます！
越後獅子。。初めて耳にした曲です。
「美空ひばり」さん、素敵ですね〜
空さんと風さんのおかげさまで原曲に興味が出てきました。
あなたがたの演奏と出逢うことができて嬉しいです。
2021年9月14日訪問
さんちー
美空ひばりを全く知らない世代が体に染み込んでるかのようなナチュラル昭和感がまた一段と素敵😂🎶