夫婦鏡
青江三奈 Lyrics

The lyrics to 青江三奈's song "夫婦鏡" (Fufukagami) tell a story of a devoted wife who is willing to sacrifice everything for her husband's happiness, even if it means she has to hide her tears and emotions behind a facade of being a happy and content woman. The opening lines suggest that she is willing to die for her husband's sake. She knows that society will admire and respect her for being a happy and fulfilled wife, but she doesn't want to become a burden or add to her husband's troubles. Hence, she puts on a thin veil of makeup to hide her tears from her husband and the world.

The chorus of the song emphasizes the theme of sacrifice as the wife vows to follow her husband's rules, even if they go against her desires. Her only wish is not to bring any shame to her husband's name. She wants her husband to remember her love and devotion even after she is gone. The third verse adds another layer to the story, as the wife acknowledges the social difference between her and her husband. She knows that her actions or even existence could bring inconvenience to him. As a result, she decides to take the easy way out and leave quietly, hugging one half of the couple's mirror as a keepsake.

Overall, the lyrics reflect a cultural expectation and a romanticized portrayal of the sacrifices that some Japanese women would make in their marriages. The song's title, "夫婦鏡," literally translates to "couple's mirror," and the mirror symbolizes the couple's relationship and the wife's unfulfilled hopes and wishes. The song's melody is mellow and heartwarming, emphasizing the nostalgic tone of the lyrics.