2007年2月25日日曜日

Kaji Meiko - Shura no Hana (Flower of Carnage) – Lyrics (Corrections) #2 

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This article is "Part 2" of an earlier article. Please read "Part 1" first. It's here. Thanks.
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Some Notes on the Translation of "Shura no Hana" Lyrics

Tomurai:
The word “Tomurai” in the first line of the Japanese lyrics originally means “Funeral.” But it can also mean “revenge” or “avenge.” An example of “tomurai” used as “avenge” is 弔い合戦 (Tomurai gassen) which means “avenging battle.” It is a battle of avenge to comfort the sprit of the dead -- it is an expression that was used in the old samurai period; nowadays it is only used in the "Yakuza" movies.

Geta:

Geta (Geta sandals) no (of) oto (sound) kishimu (squeak/creak/groan)” -- this phrase is referring to the sound of Geta footsteps. Geta are wooden sandals so they squeak and make grading sounds especially when they are worn in wet weather.

Tsuru

The literal translation of "Itetsui ta tsuru" in the second verse is "Frozen crane(s)." Cranes are migratory birds that migrate to the northern region of Japan during the winter. The phrase "frozen crane(s)" evokes the image of bleak scenery, loneliness, and possibly purity.

Janome-no-kasa

"Janome-no-Kasa," is a poetic wording of "Janome-gasa." "Janome-gasa" are ambrellas made from wood and oiled paper. Literal translation of "Janome-gasa" is "Snake-eye umbrella." They are called "snake-eye" because "Janome-gasa" usually have round patterns on them (as shown in the picture) and the Japanese people in the past thought they looked like a snake's eye.

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Some trivia about the movie Shurayuki Hime.

"Shura no Hana" (Flowers of Carnage) is the theme song of the movie titled "Shurayuki Hime." Maybe most of the fans of this movie already know this but “Shurayiki Hime” (English Title: Lady Snowblood) is a pun for “Shirayuki Hime” which is the Japanese name for “Snow White” from the story of "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs." It is a play on the word “Shura”(carnage) and “Shira” (a derivative word of “white”) as they sound similar.

"Hime" means "Princess." So the literal translation of “Shurayuki Hime”(the movie title) is “Carnage Snow Princess" and the literal translation of “Shirayuki Hime” (the fairly tale) is “White Snow Princess.” It is oviously ironical since Snow White is a symbol of purity whereas Kaji Meiko's “Shurayuki Hime” is a story of vengeance and bloody fights. I think is also has some humorous and witty undertone. A nice naming. I think "Lady Snowblood" is also a very good interpretation of the Japanese title.

Thanks for reading.

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