Message from the “Chinkon-no-uta” committee.

“Chinkon-no-uta” is translated literally as “the song to comfort the soul.”

 

The “Chinkon-no-uta” committee is an education support group for junior high and grade schools of the Toni-Cho, Kamaishi city, Iwate Prefectures. It takes its name from the original song, “Chinkon-no-uta,” written by the Retired Iwate Prefecture Public School Principal Group, in honor of those affected by the March 2011 tsunami. The song was first recorded and published on CD in September 2012.

 

The first time we heard the words to “Chinkon-no-uta”, we knew it could help guide children to the right path, when they reach the crossroads of their lives. We also knew it would help them remember – and remind future generations – about the 2011 tsunami. So, after we obtained permission, we formed the “Chinkon-no-uta” committee, to help spread the song’s message of sincerity and remembrance.

 

In September 2012, an Esperanto writer introduced the music to a professional musician. And in October, we met Mr. Ota, who originally composed the music, and told him of our intention to spread the music worldwide. From there, it has received great response.

 

In November, the original language version of “Chinkon-no-uta” debuted on YouTube and the Nico Nico Douga site, performed by the Japanese vocaloid, Miku Hatsune. In December, we introduced the Esperanto version on Nico Nico Douga. At the same time, news of the “Chinkon-no-uta” movement was sent around the world by e-mail.

 

Now, thanks to the teamwork of the composer and musicians, the IT technicians who created the web page, and the Esperanto translators and writer, “Chinkon-no-uta” is ready to be played at the seven sites in Japan, and outside the country.

 

Our goal is to have 10,000 participants play “Chinkon- no-uta” by March 31^st, 2013.

 

We are asking all music lovers to join us. We welcome all Japanese elementary schools, junior high schools, high schools, technical schools, chorus groups, and musicians. Enroll and register at

http://www10.plala.or.jp/yasnoli

 

Thank you!

 

 

 

 

EEC

Education Exchange Community,

Proclaiming the story of “Chinkon-no-Uta” to the whole world.

 

By Chieko Takadate

EEC Toni Hope Foundation 2013
http://www10.plala.or.jp/yasnoli/

 

The song “Chinkon-no-uta” is dedicated to the victims of the East Japan great earthquake.

 

On March 11, 2011, at 2:46 p.m., Japan’s northeast Pacific Ocean side was hit by a great earthquake and Tsunami, called the “East Japan great earthquake.”

 

Even though that was two years ago, there are still so many people who are deprived of a normal life.  Fukushima Prefecture, on the Pacific Coast, has doubly suffered, from the accident at Fukushima’s nuclear power plant. The people of Fukushima Prefecture are still living as nuclear evacuees, in shelters, not even allowed to return to their own damaged houses for clean up. Some town halls and village offices were moved to other locations in different prefectures, residents and all.

 

In September 2012, the Iwate Public School Retired Principal Society released a CD: “Chinkon-no-uta, dedicated to the victims of the east Japan great earthquake.”  The Education Exchange Community (EEC) calls out to people around the globe, to sing this song together with us. All people wherever they are: at home, at work, at school, at community and even alone.

 

We wish for all the people of the world to sing this song, to cheer up those who are still in devastated areas, those who had to flee to the other places as refugees: do not be discouraged, and keep your hopes high!

 

Let’s sing it together, with our prayers and messages of hope, encouraging those affected to have strength and rebuild their lives.

 

Register your names - as an individual or as a group - and send us your performance on YouTube and any comments, to:

 

Chieko Takadate

7−7,Nishi-Tokuta,Yahaba,Shiwa,Iwate 028−3603　　

JAPAN

Tel/FAX：＋81- (0)19−697-3851
E−Mail：tchieko@cocoa.ocn.ne.jp

 

☆ English lyrics and music：.pdf requiem_english_music2013_4_22

☆“Chinkon-no-Uta” (music performance site, Information)：

http://www10.plala.or.jp/yasnoli/eec/requiem-list2.htm

☆ HP Register：http://www10.plala.or.jp/yasnoli/eec/continuously.htm

☆Vocaloid Soft, Miku Hatsune sings “Chinkon-no-Ua” in Japanese(Introduced by Satoshi Nishikawa)From Iwate to whole Japan. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9inykwxk_CU

☆Vocaloid Soft, Miku Hatsune sings “Chinkon-no-Uta” in Esperanto(Introduced by Satoshi Nishikawa)From Japan to whole world. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07MY6_22nww

☆2012 Feb and March, Japanese YouTube performances:

http://youtu.be/I8lVEFlzInE

☆Masao Otashiro “Requiem concert”：http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNXZl8OuNGc

☆Canada, Mary Setsuko Hirtzel / Taiashogoto performance：http://youtu.be/XNQ0t4XHei8

☆From Kyoto, 2013 / 3 / 9  “Chinkon-no-Uta” Taishogoto performance: Sumiko Shimazawa ：http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3w7w5zvjv0

☆ USA,  Fremont Michigan Community Choir：

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EPbmruiX3H8http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EPbmruiX3H8　

 

  

 

How the Chinkon-no-Uta was made.

 By: Takao Chiba

 

8-20-10 kasshi-cho, Kamaishi-city,

Iwate prefecture, 026-0032 

Tel/fax : +81 - (0)19 - 327 - 3654

 

I was encouraged to write the lyric of “Chinkon-no-Uta” after I received the Newsletter from the Retired Iwate Prefecture Principal Society, asking anyone to participate in writing the lyrics of “Requiem” to pray and rebuilding the life of Iwate Prefecture.

 At first, I didn’t think of anything, but when I was taking a walk on the cold windy day mixed with a little snow flakes, thorough the damaged road by the aftermath of the earthquake and the tsunami. Suddenly I heard the little moaning voice “ what do you think of that now? 

There was countless number of people who perished: family members, friends and students whom I taught. These people ‘s faces when they were alive came to me and filled my mind.  The people who died in a bus, my family member of an elderly couple whom their funeral was held 6 months after the Tsunami and some acquaintances who were not yet found. I thought of these people and my heart ached in deep sorrow.

 

Then, I felt an urge to gather my thoughts in writing. Thus, the song “ Chinkon-no-Uta” was materialized.

 

Whenever I think of those victims and to see and hear about the suffering and devastations, I uttered “ Ah”. Therefore, the word came to my mind at first “Ah” and

I continued,  “ As mountains tremble. The sea rolls up raging” for the 1^st verse.

The 2^nd verse; my thoughts of the rebuilding lives of the people of Iwate and the 3^rd verse; I wished the handing down the memory of the disaster from generation to generation and to pray for the comforting the departed souls.

 

The words might have sound heavy but when I finished making the lyrics, I felt such comfort that I have answered to the voice I heard while I was taking a walk.

 

There is a teaching word “ Tendenko” which is how we should react and evacuate our salves to safety when Tsunami occurs.  Tendenko means that making a self-evacuation, which each individual should run away from the disaster to escape anyways and anywhere to safety. One of my students “S” whom I taught her 40 year’s ago was at work when Tsunami warning out broke.  She thought of her mother who has difficulty in walking at home.  So instead of making herself into safety, she went home to help her mother who was already evacuated to safety by aid of the neighbors.  Sadly the tsunami came and took S’s life.

 

My memory of S came up, whenever the students lined up in order of their height at school, she was always right in the front, twinkling her big bright eyes.  And the thought of her mother who had lost her precious daughter welled up in me over and over.

 

I was reciting my poem and singing in my own tune but I am so happy to have my music composed by a professional musician.

 

Our thoughts on making the song “Chinkon-no-uta”

Dedicated to the victims of the East Japan great earthquake.

By Iwate Prefecture Retired Principal Society

 

On 3/11/2011, at 2:46 p.m., “the East Japan great earthquake” struck the northeast Pacific coast of Japan.

It hit with such catastrophic force, many precious lives, valuable possessions and properties were lost, in a matter of moments.

 

From the Iwate Prefecture Retired Principal Society alone, 16 members’ lives were lost. Others lost family members, and many houses were damaged or destroyed. In the elementary schools, students under the supervision of the school were saved. But, the 37 students who were not at the school at the time all lost their lives. Moreover, many students lost their parents and families, and needed emotional support and counseling.

 

On 2/24/2012, the first year anniversary of the disaster, we decided to create a song: “Requiem: a prayer to rebuild”  We wished to offer those stricken hope to rebuild their lives, and we wanted to comfort the souls of those who had died. We wanted to pass down the memory of the event to future generations. We sent out a call to our members to send us their lyric ideas, and encouraged them to find a musician to compose the music.

 

We sent out that message in February. By June, the lyrics were written, and the song was composed and recorded in August.

 

On 2012/9/13, “Chinkon-no-Uta” debuted at the 39^th Prefecture Hanamaki Convention of the Iwate Prefecture Retired Principals, by about 40 of our member singers.