Fūsetsu Nagare Tabi / Saburō Kitajima

Song Introduction (Fūsetsu Nagare Tabi)

Song Title: “Fūsetsu Nagare Tabi”　(Title Meaning: A journey through the wind and snow)
Artist: Saburō Kitajima
Lyrics: Tetsurō Hoshino
Composer: Tooru Funamura
Arranger: Masahito Maruyama
Label: Nippon Crown
Overview:

Released on September 15, 1980, this was Saburō Kitajima’s 37th single.
Initially, the song was offered to singer Hideo Murata, but he was reluctant to accept it because he came from a rōkyoku (traditional narrative singing) background and felt uncomfortable with a song that featured the Tsugaru shamisen (a type of traditional Japanese string instrument), which differs from the shamisen used in rōkyoku.
As a result, Saburō Kitajima ended up releasing the single, which became a major hit.

Article Source]:
Fūsetsu Nagare Tabi – Wikipedia
Saburō Kitajima – Wikipedia

About the Song

This song was created by two of the most renowned figures in Showa-era kayōkyoku music, lyricist Tetsurō Hoshino and composer Tetsu Funamura.

Hoshino wrote the lyrics with Takayama Takahashi, a master of Tsugaru shamisen, in mind as the model for the song.

The lyrics vividly depict the immense hardships and struggles that Takahashi endured, beautifully capturing the harshness of Hokkaido’s natural landscape and incorporating place names from the region.

(The Part of the beginning of the lyrics)
 破れ単衣（ひとえ）に　三味線だけば
Yabure Hitoe ni Shamisen dakeba
よされ　よされと　雪が降る
Yosare Yosare to Yuki ga Furu
泣きの十六　短い指に
Naki no juuroku Mijikai Yubini
息を吹きかけ　超えてきた
Ikiwo Fukikake Koetekita 

(Meaning)
Dressed in nothing but a tattered, thin kimono and carrying his shamisen, the protagonist walks through the heavy snowfall, as if the snow itself is urging him to “give up.”
Despite being just 16 years old, usually an age associated with vulnerability and tears, he blows warm air onto his short fingers to endure the cold and makes his way through the mountain paths.

The lyrics truly conjure a striking image of a young boy, only 16, bravely journeying through a difficult path with nothing but his shamisen.
I think the lyrics perfectly capture this moment. In addition, Tetsu Funamura’s melody is a flawless match for the words, creating a masterpiece that moves listeners to tears and fills them with emotion.

Song Video

Artist Introduction (Saburō Kitajima)

Artist: Saburō Kitajima
Real Name: Minoru Ōno
Date of Birth: October 4, 1936
Place of Birth: Kaminokuni Village, Shiriuchi, Hokkaido (now Shiriuchi Town)
Official Website: Kitajima Music Office

Artist Trails

Saburō Kitajima is an enka singer from Hokkaido and the eldest of seven siblings, with five brothers and two sisters.
He first aspired to become a singer after participating in NHK’s “Nodojiman” singing contest during high school.

In 1954, he dropped out of high school and moved to Tokyo. While working as a nagashi (street performer), he aimed for his singing debut and eventually met composer Tetsu Funamura, becoming his apprentice.

In 1962, his song “Namida Bune” became a hit, marking his major debut.
Following this success, he achieved further hits with songs such as “Kyōdai Jingi” (1965), “Kaero Kana,” and “Hakodate no Hito,” solidifying his popularity as a singer and also gaining recognition in films.

In 1978, his song “Yosaku” became a huge hit, earning him a wide fan base.

Kitajima also challenged himself with songwriting and composing, creating many songs under the pen name Jōji Hara.

In 2014, he achieved the milestone of 4,500 performances as the lead actor at Meijiza Theater, establishing himself as a leading figure in the enka world.

He has also dedicated himself to nurturing younger singers through his “Kitajima Music Office.”