That song is beyond the blues, it's got it's own Japanese sadness that sticks a dagger into the culture. As one YouTube comment said "Terrifyingly reflective song." What a lasting memory.
Rick, thanks for your comments. Nakagawa Gotaro wrote a lot of (long) songs like this during the 60s. There’s another one, Jukensei Blues (Entrance Examination Blues) that I’ll be covering at some point. At that time, Dylan was a big influence on Japanese folk musicians, and several wrote songs with “Blues” included in the title.
I wonder how Gen X in Japan relates to this. A deeper understanding of their great-grandmothere’s or grandmother’s lives? A first step in honoring someone’s life and also in continuing the unfinished feminist revolution.
Kathy, I wonder how far things have changed. Due to the bad economy, we’re seeing more couples in which both partners work. But guess who still holds most of the responsibility at home. Fathers are starting to take on more child care, but mainly, it still falls to the mother. More single mothers as well.
I haven’t used this song in class, but it would be interesting to get current students’ observations about it. Thanks for the suggestion. I have one class I could try it in!
I wonder about their replies too Louise, I am not sure my own students are old enough to appreciate the importance of such a question...
The feminist revolution continues for sure but how much headway do we make really... when I pay attention here, not much seems to have changed since the sixties but then, I suppose, this is deepest rural France.
That song is beyond the blues, it's got it's own Japanese sadness that sticks a dagger into the culture. As one YouTube comment said "Terrifyingly reflective song." What a lasting memory.
Rick, thanks for your comments. Nakagawa Gotaro wrote a lot of (long) songs like this during the 60s. There’s another one, Jukensei Blues (Entrance Examination Blues) that I’ll be covering at some point. At that time, Dylan was a big influence on Japanese folk musicians, and several wrote songs with “Blues” included in the title.
I wonder how Gen X in Japan relates to this. A deeper understanding of their great-grandmothere’s or grandmother’s lives? A first step in honoring someone’s life and also in continuing the unfinished feminist revolution.
Kathy, I wonder how far things have changed. Due to the bad economy, we’re seeing more couples in which both partners work. But guess who still holds most of the responsibility at home. Fathers are starting to take on more child care, but mainly, it still falls to the mother. More single mothers as well.
I haven’t used this song in class, but it would be interesting to get current students’ observations about it. Thanks for the suggestion. I have one class I could try it in!
I wonder about their replies too Louise, I am not sure my own students are old enough to appreciate the importance of such a question...
The feminist revolution continues for sure but how much headway do we make really... when I pay attention here, not much seems to have changed since the sixties but then, I suppose, this is deepest rural France.
Rural areas in most places (in my experience) tend to take longer in making social change. Never give up hope!
Some longer than most… 🙃
I hope your week is kind to you Louise, xx
Same to you, oh, Keeper of the Hill❣️ xx