wind - 風

Hi there. Today I wanted to translate one of my favourite songs in my mother tongue; Japanese.

I struggle with self-esteem and self-worth a lot. I think its a form of impostor syndrome. I don't think I'm worth anything, and I don't feel like I'm good at anything, or have any significant quality or skill that makes me useful or good.

But one of the things people tell me that I'm good at is translating songs from Japanese to English and vice versa. I started it because I wanted my English speaking friends to enjoy my favourite Japanese songs but I wasn't satisfied with any of the translations online, so I decided to do it myself. I don't think its anything special, but my counsellor said maybe if I do it more often I'll start to feel like I'm good at it. So here I am.

Today I'm gonna share with you a not very known but an amazing piece called "Kaze" by Norihiko Hashida and the Shoebelts. It's a song about life, how as you progress in life you will face obstacles and you will be tempted to turn around and run away. But the truth is pain and struggle is a part of life, and its okay to turn around sometimes, but you will see that there isn't anything permanent there.; so the only way to go is forwards. Try giving it a listen just to get the feel of the music!

人は誰も　ただ一人旅に出て

all people take on a journey alone

人は誰も　ふるさとを振りかえる

all people stop in their tracks and turn to their home

ちょっぴり淋しくて　振りかえっても

we all feel a little lonely, but when you look behind you will see

そこにはただ風が　吹いているだけ

all that is there, is just the wind blowing

人は誰も　人生につまずいて

all people stumble in life

人は誰も　夢やぶれ振りかえる

our dreams will get torn, and we all turn around.

プラタナスの　枯葉舞う冬の道で

on the cold winter trail, the air filled with sycamore

プラタナスの　散る音に振りかえる

as you hear the leaves fall, you turn around

帰っておいでよと　振りかえっても

"come back home" you hear them say, but look behind and you will see

そこにはただ風が　吹いているだけ

all that is there, is just the wind blowing

人は誰も　恋をした切なさに

we will all face the pain of a broken heart

人は誰も　耐え切れず振りかえる

and we cannot bear it, so we turn around

何かをもとめて　振りかえっても

but when you seek for an answer, if you turn around you will see

そこにはただ　風が吹いているだけ

all that is there, is just the wind blowing

振りかえらず　ただ一人　一歩ずつ

don't turn around. Step by step you will take the journey by yourself

振りかえらず　泣かないで歩くんだ

don't turn around. Don't shed a tear, just walk

何かをもとめて　振りかえっても

when you seek for something if you look behind you will see

そこにはただ　風が吹いているだけ

all that is there, is just the wind blowing

吹いているだけ

blowing

吹いているだけ

blowing