I recently heard this on one of my old "Sounds of Japan" tapes when I actually taped an enka episode. Then I came across Takashi Hosokawa （細川たかし）singing "Onna no Juujiro" (Crossroads of a Woman) just a few nights ago on NHK's "Kayo Concert"（歌謡コンサート）.
"Onna no Juujiro" was Hosokawa's 3rd single from February 1976, and it starts with a jaunty drum roll and a bluesy saxophone reminiscent of his debut the previous year, "Kokoro Nokori" （心のこり）although the composer this time was Keisuke Hama （浜圭介）instead of Taiji Nakamura（中村泰士）. The lyrics were by Daisaburo Nakayama（中山大三郎）, and they seem to have the singer giving fair warning to the woman who has fallen in love with him to make sure she knows what she's getting into (very charitable of the fellow). Now, I say seem here since I'm not absolutely sure whether Hosokawa is singing from the man's or woman's point of view (can use a 2nd opinion). In any case, the lady is certainly at a crossroads of sorts.
It may be a sticky situation, but Hosokawa and the music brashly and proudly describe the woman's dilemma...almost as if it were a dare for her to take that next step in the relationship. Not sure if the creators of the song had been reading their "Faust" at the time.
Hi J-Canuck,
ReplyDeleteI actually like the new 2014 version with Keisuke Hama's arrangement, it makes the song sound fuller and slightly grander. I suppose to match Hosokawa's current status?
Anyway, I think the song's sung in the man's perspective as he warns the woman about wanting to be with him instead of the woman's perspective. Looking at the lyrics, it seems as though he's the one saying/implying, "Y'sure you really want to be with me?"
And you're right, the music does represent the lady's predicament quite nicely, showing all that inner turmoil and stuff as she considers her options.