“Hana wa Saku” was commissioned by NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation) to be used as the theme song for the NHK Great East Japan Earthquake Project, a disaster support initiative launched in 2011 following the Great East Japan Earthquake. Shunji Iwai wrote the lyrics, and the music was composed by his classmate, Yoko Sugano, from his hometown that was washed away by the disaster.
This song is in a major key, but there's a sadness to it. It acknowledges the regret that tends to accompany grief: “What did I leave behind?”, “There were dreams to be fulfilled,” “Got hurt, hurt them.” The lyrics then change to “Now I just feel a longing” and “Now I just feel love,” which accept how we can’t change the past, and how even bitter memories remind us of how much love there was. What I like about this song is the message of hope. The earthquake happened on 3/11, the start of spring. With the repeated line “flowers will bloom” we are reminded of the beauty we can find in the wake of suffering.
真っ白な 雪道に 春風香る I can smell the spring breeze on the white snowy road わたしは なつかしい I feel a longing あの街を 思い出す I remember that town
叶えたい 夢もあった There were dreams to be fulfilled 変わりたい 自分もいた There was me who wanted to change 今はただ なつかしい Now I just feel a longing あの人を 思い出す I think about that person
誰かの歌が聞こえる I can hear someone's song 誰かを励ましてる cheering someone on 誰かの笑顔が見える I can see someone's smile 悲しみの向こう側に beyond the sadness
花は 花は 花は咲く Flowers, flowers, flowers will bloom いつか生まれる君に for you who will one day be born 花は 花は 花は咲く Flowers, flowers, flowers will bloom わたしは何を残しただろう What did I leave behind
夜空の 向こうの 朝の気配に In the hint of morning beyond the night sky わたしは なつかしい I feel a longing あの日々を 思い出す I remember those days
傷ついて 傷つけて I got hurt, I hurt them 報われず 泣いたりして Cried when things didn’t work out 今はただ 愛おしい Now I just feel love あの人を 思い出す I think about that person
誰かの想いが見える I can see someone's feelings 誰かと結ばれてる They're united 誰かの未来が見える I can see someone's future 悲しみの向こう側に beyond the sadness
花は 花は 花は咲く Flowers, flowers, flowers will bloom いつか生まれる君に for you who will one day be born 花は 花は 花は咲く Flowers, flowers, flowers will bloom わたしは何を残しただろう x 2 What did I leave behind
花は 花は 花は咲く Flowers, flowers, flowers will bloom いつか生まれる君に for you who will one day be born 花は 花は 花は咲く Flowers, flowers, flowers will bloom いつか恋する君のために for you who will one day fall in love