I’ve been listening to the song ひこうき雲 by Yumi Arai (Matsutoya; Yuming) ever since I saw The Wind Rises. The original is from 1973. It’s such a good song, but so sad, especially if you have seen the movie. There are so many excellent versions of the song, including ones by My Little Lover, a duet with Yuming and Aiko, BEBE, Megumi Mori, and Aya Matsuura. Below is an acoustic versions by Megumi Mori, and the lyrics (romaji and translation) are below that if you want to follow along. I found the lyrics at this tumblr.
Hikoukigumo
shiroi sakamichi ga sora made tsuzuiteita
yurayura kagerou ga ano ko wo tsutsumu
daremo kizukazu tada hitori
ano ko wa nobotte iku
nanimo osorenai soshite maiagaru
sora ni akogarete sora wo kakete yuku
ano ko no inochi wa hikoukigumo
takai ano mado de ano ko wa shinu mae mo
sora wo mite ita no ima wa wakaranai
hoka no hito ni wa wakaranai
amari ni mo wakasugita to
tada omou dake keredo shiawase
sora ni akogarete sora wo kakete yuku
ano ko no inochi wa hikoukigumo
sora ni akogarete sora wo kakete yuku
ano ko no inochi wa hikoukigumo
Vapour Trails
The white slope continued on to the sky
Wavering, ephemerality envelops her
Unnoticed by anyone, all alone,
She is ascending
She fears nothing, and soars up high
She admires the sky, is dashing through the sky
Vapour trails are her life
At that high window, even before her death,
She looked to the sky, and now they don’t understand
Other people don’t understand
They only think that
She was too young, but she is happy
She admires the sky, is dashing through the sky
Vapour trails are her life
She admires the sky, is dashing through the sky
Vapour trails are her life
