Notes

Sakura means Cherry Tree or Cherry Blossom in Japanese. Below is a longer version of Sakura Sakura.

Comments

Here's a longer version of Sakura Sakura with the Japanese text in two forms, another English translation and the transliteration (pronunciation)...

The Japanese Text in computer format (we apologize if it doesn't display properly on your screen):

桜　桜

桜　桜
野山も里も
見わたすかぎり
かすみか雲か
朝日ににおう
桜　桜
花ざかり

桜　桜
やよいの空は
見わたすかぎり
かすみか雲か
においぞいずる
いざや　いざや
見にゆかん

Hiragana Text for Sakura Sakura

さくら　さくら

さくら　さくら
のやま　も　さと　も
みわたす　かぎり
かすみ　か　くも　か
あさひ　に　におう
さくら　さくら
はな　ざかり

さくら　さくら
やよい　の　そら　わ
みわたす　かぎり
かすみ　か　くも　か
におい　ぞ　いずる
いざや　いざや
みに　ゆ　かん


Cherry Blossoms
(English Translation)


Cherry blossoms, cherry blossoms,
Blanketing the countryside,
As far as you can see.
Is it a mist, or clouds?
Fragrant in the morning sun.
Cherry blossoms, cherry blossoms,
Flowers in full bloom.


Cherry blossoms, cherry blossoms,
Across the Spring sky,
As far as you can see.
Is it a mist, or clouds?
Fragrant in the air.
Come now, come,
Let's look, at last!

Transliteration of Sakura, Sakura

Sakura sakura
Noyama mo sato mo
Miwatasu kagiri
Kasumi ka kumo ka
Asahi ni niou
Sakura sakura
Hana zakari

Sakura sakura
Yayoi no sora wa
Miwatasu kagiri
Kasumi ka kumo ka
Nioi zo izuru
Izaya izaya
Mini yu kan

There's a discussion going on about this song on Mama Lisa's World Blog. Come read more about Sakura Sakura on Mama Lisa's World Blog and feel free to comment on this song too!

In the recording below, you can hear the 2nd verse that's in the Song Notes.

Download

Sung by Kanohara, cc.

Download

Many thanks to Susan Pomerantz for playing this tune on the piano!

Download MIDI Tune

Thanks and Acknowledgements

Many thanks to the Japan Information and Culture Center, a part of the Embassy of Japan, for contributing the first version of this song and the illustration. The second translation is by Mama Lisa.

Arigato gozaimasu!