縁の糸
Mariya Takeuchi Lyrics

The lyrics of Mariya Takeuchi's song "縁の糸" (En no Ito) describe the concept of fate and how every person we meet in life is connected to us by an invisible thread. The first verse references an old saying "袖振り合うも多生の縁" which means "even chance encounters are ties of fate from previous lives." The notion of these connections being predetermined is further emphasized by the mention of a "scenario" written by the heavens which guides the meeting of the song's narrator and her beloved. The lyrics describe the ups and downs of a relationship, which includes moments of love and moments of tears. However, the thread that connects them is strong, and it ultimately creates a bond that lasts for eternity. The final lines of the song reiterate the importance of these threads connecting us to both familiar and unfamiliar people, and that even the smallest of them can bring something positive into our lives.

The theme of "En no Ito" holds significant cultural and historical value to the Japanese. The phrase "en" refers to fate or destiny, while "ito" means thread or string. The idea that people’s lives are interconnected through webs of fate and destiny have been prevalent in Japanese religion and folklore for centuries. Japanese people often say that the red string of fate, or "akai ito", is responsible for bringing people together. This belief traces back to the story of the Shinto god, Izanagi, who used a red thread to find his way back from the underworld.