赤紙
黒木渚 Lyrics

The song 赤紙 by 黒木渚 is an emotional reflection on the aftermath of a war and its impact on families through the eyes of a daughter whose father fought in the war. The song starts with the daughter receiving a "red letter" or 赤紙, which meant that one of her family members was drafted to fight in the war. Her father tells her to rejoice, but all that came back was his bones. He died without experiencing any enjoyment or amusement in life. The daughter then shares how the person she is today is a result of her father's genes, both physically and mentally, inherited through X chromosomes. She goes on to talk about how she cannot bear to live her life as a victim and how she will continue to dance despite her harsh upbringing and fight against the societal norms of her time. The song ends with a reflection on the sacrifices her family has made for their country and the consequences they have faced, even being labeled as traitors.

The song is a beautifully crafted tribute to the aftermath of war, its impact on families, and the perseverance that people show despite continued hardship. 黒木渚's powerful vocals and emotive lyrics help to convey the range of emotions felt by those who lived through these times. The use of repetition throughout the song adds to the powerful storytelling of the singer, reinforcing the idea that these emotions and experiences are not isolated incidents, but rather the experiences of many others during the time of war.