Nakamori Akina (中森明菜): Merry X'mas - Snow Tears (メリークリスマス - 雪の雫)

Happy Birthday, Akina-san!　明菜さん、お誕生日おめでとうございます！

On July 13, 2025, Nakamori Akina will reach 60.  In Japan, it is called Kanreki (還暦) and traditionally marks an important milestone in life.  Its importance has waned in modern times since most people live past their 70s.  In the Chinese calendar, which the Japanese borrowed, each year is marked by what's called an Eto (干支), or a sexagenary cycle, and there're a total of 60 of them.  For example, the year 1965, when Akina was born, was called Kinotomi (乙巳).  Because there are 60 of them, they form a cycle every 60 years and therefore, this year, 2025 (=1965+60), is also marked as Kinotomi.  From here, it starts a new cycle again and repeats every 60 years (i.e. 2085, 2145 will be marked Kinotomi as well).  So, when you reach 60, i.e. when you reach Kanreki, not only is it a celebration of longevity, it also carries a deeper meaning that one has been reborn.

Anyway, Congratulations!  This year also marks Akina's 43rd anniversary since her debut in 1982.

"Merry Christmas - Snow Tears" (メリークリスマス - 雪の雫) appeared in Akina's 2017 album also titled Akina (明菜).  It's also the last Akina song that I bought.  I first came across it on YouTube, and after listening to it, I immediately went to iTunes and bought it myself.

The song was written by someone called Koshin.  There's no information I could find.  I asked AI (ChatGPT, Perplexity.ai) but it doesn't know who he is either.  Lyrics was written by Miran, which is Akina's pen name.  In other words, Akina wrote the lyrics herself.

The song is a love story in which the singer remembered her lover during Christmas, who had passed away.  She promised that her love towards him would never change, and hoped that her message will reach him, wherever he is.  Here's my translation (my own interpretation, no AI) of the song's lyrics.

ね、覚えてる　初めてのふたりの日々

Hey, do you still remember the days when we first met?

続いてく信じてた　いつまでも包まれると

I used to believe that it'd continue, and I'd always be held in your arms

ただ夢の中　永遠に終わらない

Just living in my dream, forever and ever without an end

雪が舞う街並みに　ひと時ぬくもりを

Snow dances on the streets, and I felt a moment of warmth

どんなに離れていても　この愛を伝えたくて

No matter how much separates us, I want to convey my love to you

溢れる雪の雫　降り積もる　あなたに...触れたくて

Overflowing tears, like snow, fall and pile up.  I am longing for your touch

いつまでも約束は　時を越え薄れない

Our promise will not wear thin over time

微笑み溢れる恋人たちが　あの日を重ねてく

My memories layered with overflowing joyful smiles of us two 

そう、覚えてる　今でもそう変わらない

Yes, I still remember.  My love towards you remains unchanged

距離を越え　灯す光　届くでしょう　メリークリスマス

Will this candle light overcome our distance and reach you?  Merry Christmas

I know it's summer (at least in the northern hemisphere) and Christmas is still 5 months away.  But on Akina's birthday I got to choose whatever song I like to celebrate.  I hope you'd too 😁.