Raphael were a visual kei band from Japan. Forming in 1997, the members wer… Read Full Bio ↴Raphael were a visual kei band from Japan. Forming in 1997, the members were only 15 when the band was formed. They were signed to a major label in 1999, and their major debut single, "Hanasaku Inochi Aru Kagiri", was a moderate success, reaching number 25 on the Oricon charts. They were known for their impressive style, which had an aggressive, progressive tone, with angelic melodies by frontman Yuki. By the summer of 2000, they were at their career peak, and their albums were selling pretty well for such a young band. However, on Halloween 2000, the guitarist and main songwriter of the band, Kazuki, died at the young age of 19. Soon after that, the band decided it was time to split. The vocalist (Yuki) and the drummer (Kazuhiro) formed Rice later that year, while the bassist (Yukito) embarked on a solo project. The band was resurrected for a short time in 2012 with all remaining members to celebrate Kazuki's 13th memorial.

さくら
Raphael Lyrics

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「僕」を求めた時
「君」が消えていった

「君」を想った時
「僕」が消えていった

君と散らした去年のさくら
僕に散らばった

もうすぐ屆く春風がまた
君を舞わす

「君」が消えていった
「僕」が消えていった

君のない現實
眠りに夢に逃避

夢は小さな桃色の部屋
秘密の隱れ家
誰も入れない誰も來れない
記憶も無い

「二人」を想った時
「二人」は消えていった

君と散らした去年のさくら
僕に散らばった
もうすぐ屆く春風がまた
君を舞わす

君と過ごしたふたつの春は
今も僕の中
忘れられない優しいすべて，，，
春の風が，，，

春風が僕に觸れた，，，
ひとりの僕に觸れた，，，

Overall Meaning

The song "さくら" by Raphael explores the theme of loss and memory through the metaphor of sakura or cherry blossoms. The lyrics are about the experience of losing someone and how their absence is felt in everyday life. When the singer seeks the presence of the person ("you"), they disappear, and when they think of the person, they themselves disappear. The chorus reflects on how the sakura that were scattered with the person last year now scatter with the singer. The approaching spring wind will dance with the person once again, but the reality without them is too much to bear, leading to escapism in sleep and dreams. The dreams are a small pink room that is a secret hideaway with memories that are inaccessible to anyone else.

The second verse shifts to the experience of losing both people ("we") and how they disappear when thought of. However, the presence and memories of the person ("you") linger in the singer's mind, especially during spring, which was a season they spent together. The gentle moments of that time cannot be forgotten, and the wind of spring touches the singer, who is now alone.

Line by Line Meaning

「僕」を求めた時
When I sought 'myself'

「君」が消えていった
'You' disappeared

「君」を想った時
When I thought of 'you'

「僕」が消えていった
'I' disappeared

君と散らした去年のさくら
The cherry blossoms we scattered together last year

僕に散らばった
Scattered onto me

もうすぐ屆く春風がまた
Soon, the spring breeze that is coming again

君を舞わす
Will dance with you

「君」が消えていった
'You' disappeared

「僕」が消えていった
'I' disappeared

君のない現實
A reality without you