sakura, sakura

This is a traditional Japanese song originally composed to help students learn to play the koto [also pictured above]. It has been rewritten and remixed a countless number of times by a million different artists, but somehow still seems to retain its simple beauty no matter the instrumental medium.

The romanized Japanese lyrics are below [since for some reason my work computer refuses to support Japanese language fonts], followed by an English translation:

sakura sakura
no-yama mo sato mo
mi-watasu kagiri
kasumi ka kumo ka
asahi ni niou
sakura sakura
hana-zakari

sakura sakura
yayoi no sora wa
mi-watasu kagiri
kasumi ka kumo ka
nioi zo izuru
iza ya iza ya
mi ni yukan

Cherry blossoms, cherry blossoms,
On Meadow-hills and mountains
As far as you can see.
Is it a mist, or clouds?
Fragrant in the morning sun.
Cherry blossoms, cherry blossoms,
Flowers in full bloom.

Cherry blossoms, cherry blossoms,
Across the Spring sky,
As far as you can see.
Is it a mist, or clouds?
Fragrant in the air.
Come now, come,
Let’s look, at last!