Why Hotaru no Hikari (蛍の光)? The words have always had a very special meaning for me. In days of old caged fireflies - Hotaru- were used in Japan to throw a little light. Since we all try to throw a little light onto things through our tweets Hikari seemed an appropriate symbol. The words fill me with nostalgia for they are the opening line of a song sung by all Japanese schoolchildren at their final school assembly to the tune of Auld Lang Syne, and by adults to mark other great sentimental finales - lyrics and translation below. It was taught to me by my wonderful Japanese teacher Nakazato-sensei. I have heard it sung countless times and every time it brings into my mind a vivid picture of schoolchildren working in their wintry rooms and celebrating their release as they charge out of their school hall's great wooden door. Funnily enough it also links in to my love of trad jazz because it brings to mind George Melly singing Flanagan and Allen's Home Town backed by John Chilton's Feetwarmers in which the chorus line is: I see an old schoolhouse door, We used to tumble through at four. And there's a small candy store, Where I could go a dozen lollipops and shout for more.
蛍の光、Hotaru no hikari By the light of the fireflies
蛍の光、Hotaru no hikari By the light of the fireflies
窓の雪、Mado no yuki And the snow at the window
書読む月日 重ねつゝFumi yomu tsukihi kasanetsutsu We read our texts as the days and months go by.
何時しか年もすぎの戸を、Itsushika toshi mo sugi no to wo Before we know it the years have gone by too,
開けてぞ 今朝は、 aketezo kesa wa So open the great cedar door, for this morning
開けてぞ 今朝は、 aketezo kesa wa So open the great cedar door, for this morning
別れ行く wakare yuku We part and go our separate ways.
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