Kaze Tachinu (風立ちぬ) by Seiko Matsuda: A Song About Wind, Flowers and Time

Some songs you understand right away. Others take a few decades.

The song

“Kaze Tachinu” (風立ちぬ) was released by Seiko Matsuda on October 7, 1981, as her seventh single. The lyrics were written by Takashi Matsumoto, and the music was composed by Eiichi Ohtaki. It was also the title song of her album of the same name, released two weeks later.

The title is the same as a famous novel by Tatsuo Hori. It means something like “the wind has risen” — the first autumn breeze, when the seasons begin to change.

Why I chose it

I wanted a song with a gentle autumn feeling. It is October, the air is turning cooler, and this song came to mind. When the osmanthus blooms, I know autumn has come. Its sweet scent floats on the wind.

What I remember

There is one part of this song I never understood, not back then and not today. It mentions violets, sunflowers and freesias together. They bloom in different seasons, so how can they appear at the same moment? I used to laugh about it.

It took me years to find my own answer. Maybe the song is about the passing of time — many seasons of memories gathered in one moment. I’m not sure. The songwriter has never explained it as far as I know, so this is simply how I read it now.

What I did understand, even as a girl, was that the song has beautiful words. I loved the way it speaks of writing a letter in “wind ink.” I thought it was such a lovely way to say something, and I still think so today.

I also learned the word “tabibito” — a traveler of the heart — from this song. Have I grown since then? I’m not sure. But the journey goes on.

Listen

Also on YouTube Music: Kaze Tachinu (風立ちぬ) by Seiko Matsuda

You can find this song on the album “Kaze Tachinu” (CDJapan, affiliate link):

Is there a song from the 80s you would like me to cover next? Tell me in the comments.