Kojo no Tsuki (The Moon over the Ruined Castle)

’Kōjō no Tsuki’ (荒城の月) is one of the most famous Japanese songs ever made. Rentarō Taki composed it in 1901. The lyrics were written by Bansui Doi, who came from Sendai, the largest city in the Tōhoku Region. The lyric of the song was inspired by the ruins of Aoba Castle and Aizuwakamatsu Castle, in Fukushima Prefecture. This video is dedicated in memory of David Wong (1954-2011). He was my YouTube friend who suddenly died two years ago. I called him ’Chinese samurai’, and that made him smile. He said me, “It kind of make me laugh, that I had been called “samurai“; I am not Japanese, but I always respect the codes they follow, I have to say I just try to be good, far from respectable! Haha.“ David, we will never forget you. Sleep well, buddy. For me, you are a role model as a man: to live for something, to die for something! Sincerely, Teisuka My memorial article about David: The memorial video made by Michiko-chan: The lyrics in Japanese and English: 荒城の月 Kōjō no Tsuki (The Moon over the Ruined Castle) 春高楼の 花の宴 Haru kouro no hana no en (In a spring evening a feast of blossoms was held on the tower,) 巡る盃 影さして Meguru sakazuki kagesashite (and cups of wine were passed around.) 千代の松が枝 分け出でし Chiyo no matsu ga e wakeideshi (Then up from the old pine the Moon rose.) 昔の光 今いずこ Mukashi no hikari Ima izuko (But now, where is the brightness of bygone days?) 秋陣営の 霜の色 Aki jinei no shimo no iro (It was a frosty night of autumn. Up above the camp) 鳴きゆく雁の 数見せて Nakiyuku kari no kazu misete (many a wild goose passed, calling.) 植うる剣 に照り沿いし Uuru tsurugi ni terisoishi (And the Moon shone on the unsheathed swords.) 昔の光 今いずこ Mukashi no hikari ima izuko (But now, where is the brightness of bygone days?) 天上影は 変わらねど Tenjokage wa kawaranedo (The shadow of the sky doesn’t change, but) 栄枯は移る 世の姿 Eiko wa utsuru yo no sugata (the Moon is reflecting it as before,) 映さんとてか 今も尚 Utsusan toteka ima mo nao (changing for better to worse?) ああ荒城の夜半の月 Aa Kojo no yowa no tsuki (Ah, the Moon over the ruined castle!)