Autumn Cherry Blossoms / Cosmos Highway
Autumn Cherry Blossoms (1977) by Momoe Yamaguchi Cosmos Highway (1977) Hunter
A relaxed guide on the theme of music related to flowers and greenery.
In the second episode we will bring you "Cosmos."
Cosmos, a familiar autumn flower, is native to tropical America. It was introduced to Spain from Mexico in 1789 and named Cosmos by the Spanish botanist Antonio José Cavanilles.
The word's origin is Greek and means "order" of the universe (Greek: κόσμος).
It was introduced to Japan at the beginning of the Meiji period.
When we talk about cosmos, we generally mean the large-flowered cosmos (pictured above), but other popular varieties include the bright yellow-orange yellow cosmos and chocolate cosmos.
Chocolate Cosmos (see image below) has a chocolate-like color and scent!
It might also make a great gift for chocolate lovers.
The flower language of cosmos is said to be "maiden's innocence," "harmony," and "humility," based on the impression given by its shape and the origin of its name.
Now, speaking of songs that are associated with cosmos...
The song that comes to mind here is Momoe Yamaguchi's "Akigusa" (lyrics and music by Masashi Sada).
It's part of the lyrics.
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The pale pink cosmos are swaying in the sun on a casual autumn day. My mother, who has become tearful, coughs in the garden.
<Omitted>
On such a mild, mild day like this, your kindness seeps in. Tomorrow I'm getting married, and even though I'll have a hard time, time will turn it into a laughing matter. I laughed and said there was nothing to worry about.
<Omitted>
I will try to live my life cherishing your words of gratitude. In my own way, on these mild, mild days of Indian summer, please let me remain your child a little longer.
≪Cosmos Lyrics and composition: Masashi Sada≫
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The song depicts the feelings of a mother and daughter getting married against the backdrop of a garden filled with blooming cosmos, but the cosmos only appears at the beginning of the song and never again.
Meanwhile, the word "Indian summer" appears twice at the climax!
That's to be expected.
The original title given by the author, Masashi Sada, was "Indian Summer."
There is an anecdote that the name was changed to "Autumn Cherry Blossoms" at the request of the producer after hearing the finished song.
The pronunciation of the flower has also been changed from its Japanese name "Akizakura" to "Cosmos."
♪ Autumn cherry blossoms on a white background It certainly doesn't feel right on an autumn day.
Incidentally, it is said that the ateji (reading) technique of writing "Akisakura" and reading it as "Cosmos" began around this time.
The classic song "Akisaura," loved by people of all ages, genders, and both in Japan and overseas, has been covered by many artists, including her contemporaries Junko Sakurada, Akina Nakamori, Hideaki Tokunaga, Leo Ieiri, and The Nolans.
And one more song.
The Hunter's "Cosmos Highway" cannot be bypassed.
"Cosmos Kaido" was the second single by the brother duo Kariudo. It was released in 1977, the same year as "Akisa". Their debut song "Azusa No. 2" also had a big impact.
The group's name, "Hunter," was given by composer Shunichi Tokura.
"Be a hunter who will always aim for the big hit."
This is a passionate message that is put into the name.
By the way, where exactly is Cosmos Highway, the setting of this song?
I looked it up.
Everyone was curious about it!
The hint was in the chorus.
It's part of the lyrics.
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Are the cosmos flowers still blooming? Do you still remember the two of us that day? Even if I wasn't loved, I wanted to hold on to my hopes until the very end. To the right is the northern road to Echigo. To the left is the Nakasendo road that leads to Kiso. The cosmos road continues.
≪Cosmos Highway Lyrics: Ryu Machiko≫
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The most likely theory is that it is National Route 254 in Saku City, Nagano Prefecture.
In 1972, five years before the song was released, volunteers from a senior citizens' club planted cosmos on both sides of a nine-kilometer road. This road is said to have become the model for the Cosmos Highway.
There is another place where you can see cosmos flowers, about 13 kilometers away along National Route 18, right at the junction of the Nakasendo and Hokkoku Kaido roads.
A museum was opened there in 2004, 27 years after the song became a hit, but at the time, there were no cosmos flowers blooming there.
It all started when the director himself began growing cosmos in an attempt to recreate a Cosmos Road.
The director will further improve the road and improve its quality.
This was done to encourage the flowers to bloom one after the other and prolong the flowering period.
Apparently, because the flowers are picked early, the worry is that you won't be able to collect seeds for next year!
So every year, he sows the seeds that his sister in Tokushima sends him.
It's only a 100 meter road,
Cosmos Highway is seriously dangerous.
There seem to be many other songs with the word "cosmos" in the title.
Please give it a listen if you have the chance.
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Autumn Cherry Blossoms (Yamaguchi Momoe, 1977)
Cosmos Highway (Hunter, 1977)
With You in the Cosmos (Ending theme of the TV anime "Space Runaway Ideon", 1980)
Cosmos (Takeda Tetsuya, "Detective Story 4: The Poem of Kuroshio" insert song, 1985)
Cosmos (Spitz, 1992)
COSMOS (Aquamarine, 2000)
Koso ~more & more~ (DEEN, 2000)
Cosmos (bice, 2001)
Cosmos (The High-Lows, 2001)
Autumn Cherry Blossoms (Ryu Siwon, 2005)
Cosmos (Masatoshi Nakamura, 2005)
Autumn Cherry Blossoms (JR East train departure melody, 2008)
Cosmos (TSU-NA, 2009)
Autumn Cherry Blossoms (Ikimonogakari, 2009)
COSMOS (VAMPS, 2009)
Cosmos (Arashi, 2012)
COSMOS ~Autumn Cherry Blossoms~ (Sandaime J Soul Brothers from EXILE TRIBE, 2014)
cosmos (Maaya Uchida, 2017)
etc.
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<Reference>
Autumn Cherry Blossoms / Momoe Yamaguchi
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GrhwErRkMg&list=RDEMRbKfxg-y7djhZppkCHmXUQ&index=1
Cosmos Highway / Hunter
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2xQDvwRrMk
Author: Kambara Edited by: Suzuki
