sunsun Kawaii Japon

Yumi Arai

  • Hikoki-gumo (ひこうき雲) by Yumi Arai: A Gentle Song for a Quiet Sky

    A thin white line drawn across a blue sky. It appears quietly, and then slowly fades away. This is the song that comes to my mind when I look up and find one.

    A thin pink contrail across a soft purple dusk sky. Photo: Sherif Emad / Pexels
    Photo: Sherif Emad / Pexels

    The song

    “Hikoki-gumo (ひこうき雲)” is a song by Yumi Arai, who is now known as Yumi Matsutoya, or simply “Yuming.” It was released in 1973 as the title track of her first album. In 2013, it was chosen as the theme song of Studio Ghibli’s film The Wind Rises (風立ちぬ), and many new listeners around the world found it. The title means “contrail,” the white trail an airplane leaves in the sky.

    Why I chose it

    This is not city pop, and it is not an 80s idol song. It is an earlier, gentler song from the beginning of Japan’s “New Music” style. Still, Yuming is loved by many Showa fans overseas, and her soft, sweet sound is often said to have helped shape the city pop that came later. I wanted to share the place where that gentle sound began.

    What I remember

    I loved this melody long before I understood what the song was really about. I have always loved airplanes, and I have always longed for the sky. As a child, I loved watching contrails in the evening sky. The white lines slowly turned soft pink and gold, and I could look at them for a very long time.

    Later, I learned that this is a song with sadness in it. Even so, the gentleness of the melody has stayed with me. Now, when I find a contrail in the evening sky, I still stop and look up for a moment. I have been lucky enough to travel to many places, and these days I watch them with a gentle heart and a feeling of gratitude.

    Listen

    Here is the song on Spotify:

    If you would like to hold the album in your hands, CDJapan ships the CD worldwide (affiliate link).

    If you would like to hear Yuming’s later songs as well, this 50th anniversary best album is also available from CDJapan (affiliate link).

    Is there a small sight in your sky, or a song, that makes you stop and look up?

  • Chuo Freeway (中央フリーウェイ) by Yumi Arai: A Night Drive Song That Feels Like a Runway to the Stars

    Some songs make an ordinary road feel like a story. “Chuo Freeway” (中央フリーウェイ) is one of them. It is a gentle, sparkling song about driving, and it still feels fresh today.

    The song

    “Chuo Freeway” was released on November 20, 1976, on the album “The 14th Moon” (14番目の月). At that time the singer used her maiden name, Yumi Arai (荒井由実). Today many people know her as Yumi Matsutoya (松任谷由実), or simply “Yuming.” She wrote both the words and the music herself.

    The song paints a picture of a drive along a highway, with the scenery passing by on both sides. It is said that she drew on views she had seen many times while growing up. It was never released as a single, but it has become one of her best-loved songs, and people still choose it as a favorite song for driving.

    Why I chose it

    This song is part of the roots of what people now call “city pop.” The sound is light and stylish, and it carries the quiet, sparkling mood of a city at night. If you love city pop, I hope you will enjoy listening to where that feeling began.

    What I remember

    When I drove past the racecourse, I often played this song. The calm, sparkling mood of the music fit the scenery so well. I would listen quietly and gaze at the view, and I felt as if I had become a shooting star.

    The song describes the road as if it were a runway stretching into the night sky. I have always loved airplanes, so this image stayed in my heart. As I listened, I felt as if the road and the sky were connected.

    A long airport runway stretching straight toward the horizon under a wide blue sky
    It is not a night sky, but a runway stretching toward the sky, just like in the song. Photo: Segaijin

    I also love the opening of this song. Even now, when I hear it, it feels bright and gentle, and it takes me right back to the road.

    Listen

    The original recording by Yumi Arai: Spotify / YouTube Music (official)

    The same song, a different color

    A good song can be sung by many voices, and each one gives it a new feeling.

    With Miki Imai (2013): her version feels different. Her voice is pure and crystal clear, like clean, fresh air. Listen on Spotify

    It makes me happy to see a Showa song still loved by new generations.

    You can also find this song on the album “The 14th Moon” (CDJapan, affiliate link):

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