Remembering Japanese children in small town |
A Song for the Children of Nakajo Nakajo is a town in a valley of the Kushigata mountains on the western coast of Japan, traditionally famous for its water, its rice, and its tulips. And now famous for its delightful, beautiful children. Sweet is the water of Niigata Fresh from the Dokkon spring, But sweeter the children that play In the valley of the Tainai Under the Kushigata. Remember them at daybreak, Rising with the mist; Consider the days of June And the searching of your hearts, Close woven as tatami. Let the mothers of Hokkaido cry out, And let their sisters answer: “Remember the children of Nakajo, Bright as the tulip field, Strong as Mount Tossaka!” And when the winds are warm Far off upon the Nansei And the breath of Okinawa Sings upon the sea, Tell them what you left behind And what you took away. Let the fathers from my homeland shout, And let their brothers answer: “Upon the wooded mountains, Near to the Nippon Sea When the children of Nakajo sing and dance, My heart comes home to me, My heart comes home to me!” And you who speak of peace Must now pursue it, For the sun goes down upon them At the dying of the day, And sleep will close the eyes Of children west and east, Who will not come awake Until you give them morning. ***** Glossary Niigata= prefecture (province) on the Sea of Japan Dokkon= famous water source in this area Tainai= a valley between the mountains and the sea Kushigata= shortest mountain range in Japan tatami= straw floor mats typical to Japanese homes Hokkaido= northernmost of Japanese islands Mount Tossaka= tallest mountain in the area Nansei= small island chain containing Okinawa |