Together with the Camphor Trees: KUSUNOKI—5,000 Souls Sing a Prayer for Peace - NHK WORLD-JAPAN

Summary of YouTube Video Transcript

Key Concepts:

• Nagasaki Atomic Bombing: The historical event and its lasting impact on the city and its people.
• 楠の木 (Kusunoki – Camphor Tree): The central symbol of resilience and peace, surviving the bombing and representing hope.
• 福山雅治 (Masaharu Fukuyama): The singer-songwriter whose song about the camphor tree served as the catalyst for the event.
• Peace Memorial & Remembrance: The importance of remembering the past to build a peaceful future.
• Collective Healing & Unity: The power of music and shared experience to foster healing and connection.
• Intergenerational Dialogue: The need to pass on the lessons of the past to future generations.

I. Introduction: The Significance of the Camphor Tree & Fukuyama’s Song

The video centers around a large-scale choral performance of 福山雅治’s (Masaharu Fukuyama) song dedicated to a camphor tree (楠の木 – Kusunoki) in Nagasaki that miraculously survived the atomic bombing on August 9th. The tree stands near a shrine and is a powerful symbol of resilience and hope. Fukuyama explains that he felt compelled to address social issues through his music, and the image of the Kusunoki provided a unique perspective – a non-human witness to the tragedy. He spent 24 years wanting to create a song with this theme, finally realizing it through rock music. He states, “戦争がなくなったらいいな。 戦争がない社会になったらいいなと思うんですが、でも人間だけでこの地球や世界ってのは存在してるのではなく、やっぱりこう自然のもの、海や川や山っていうものがあって人間が存在してるのでなんかそういう人人以外の視点で表現できるものはないかなってなった時にこの被爆目である楠の木っていうことを改めてその視点を借りてみたんですね。” ( “I wish war would end. I wish we could have a society without war, but the Earth and the world don’t exist just with humans. There are also natural things like the sea, rivers, and mountains, and humans exist within them. So, I wondered if there was something I could express from a perspective other than that of humans, and that’s when I revisited the image of this camphor tree that was exposed to the bombing and borrowed that perspective.”)

II. The Historical Context: Nagasaki & the Atomic Bomb

The video highlights the devastating impact of the atomic bomb on Nagasaki, which claimed the lives of approximately 74,000 people. The Kusunoki tree stood approximately 1.8 kilometers from the hypocenter. Despite the destruction, the tree survived, becoming a symbol of hope and resilience. The area around the tree became a place for prayer and remembrance. The video shows images of the damaged shrine gate and the tree itself, emphasizing its enduring presence. A participant reflects on the thought that even in death, people may have wished for a more beautiful passing, highlighting the tragedy of the event.

III. The Miracle of Survival & the Tree’s Aura

Several individuals describe a palpable “aura” emanating from the Kusunoki tree. One person notes, “たくのき本当にこれ この場所は毎回その福山さんの楠木で知ってすごい木のオーラというかものを感じるので自分自身の癒しというかにもつがる” (“This camphor tree is truly amazing. Every time I come to this place, knowing it’s the camphor tree from Fukuyama’s song, I feel a tremendous aura from the tree, and it’s also healing for me.”) The tree is estimated to be between 500 and 700 years old, its roots deeply embedded in the land, witnessing generations of life. The survival of the tree is described as a “miracle” (miracle), offering a beacon of hope amidst the devastation.

IV. The Choral Performance: Unity & Remembrance

The core of the video focuses on the preparation and execution of a large-scale choral performance of Fukuyama’s song. Over 40,000 applications were received, demonstrating a strong desire to participate. The event brought together 5,000 singers from diverse backgrounds. The director emphasizes the importance of allowing individual expression within the choir, rather than strict adherence to a rigid structure. He states, “普通やっぱり合唱局って面を売にするじゃないですか。 だからもっといろんなことが書いてあるん で、多分みんなはこれ何も書いてないから どうしたらいいんだろう細かく指定すれば みんながこう 自分の表現を自由にこう伸びノびるかって いうとなかなかそうもないしていうんで 今日みたいなやり方ができるのすごくいい です。” (“Usually, choral groups have a lot of detailed instructions. So, probably everyone here doesn’t have anything written down, and they’re wondering what to do. If we give too many specific instructions, it’s hard for everyone to freely express themselves. So, I think this approach, like today, is really good.”)

V. Passing on the Legacy & Intergenerational Connection

A key theme is the importance of transmitting the memory of the bombing to future generations. One participant notes that younger generations may not fully grasp the scale of the tragedy, and the song serves as a vehicle for conveying that understanding. The lyrics are seen as a way to ensure that the lessons of Nagasaki are not forgotten. Another participant states, “これから当たり前の生活は当たり前では ないということを感じの気持ちを忘れずに していきたいなと思います。” (“I want to remember the feeling that ordinary life is not something to be taken for granted.”) The event is seen as a way to connect with the past and build a more peaceful future.

VI. The Song’s Message & Emotional Impact

The song’s lyrics, “我が魂は この土に目指し 決して 口に 決して 倒れずに” (“My soul aims for this land, never to be silenced, never to fall”), encapsulate the spirit of resilience and determination. The performance is described as emotionally powerful, with many participants moved to tears. The collective singing is seen as a way to amplify the message of peace and hope. The song is not necessarily sad, but rather hopeful, reflecting the enduring spirit of the Kusunoki tree. A participant notes, “平和はかなくて すぐに消えてしまうものだから 自分たちが当たり前じゃないって考えながら過ごしていかないとなって思います。” (“Peace is fragile and disappears quickly, so I think we need to live our lives remembering that things aren’t a given.”)

VII. Conclusion: A Seed of Peace

The video concludes with a powerful message of hope and unity. The event is described as a moment of connection and remembrance, bringing together individuals from diverse backgrounds to honor the victims of the bombing and reaffirm their commitment to peace. The final lyrics of the song, repeated throughout the video, serve as a poignant reminder of the enduring power of the human spirit. The event is ultimately seen as planting a “seed of peace” in the hearts of those who participated and those who witnessed it. The closing statement emphasizes that the event was a demonstration of peace in action, rather than just a discussion about peace. “今日こうやって音楽で繋がれてですね、この番組をお届けできることこそがですね、え、有事ではなく事 の1日この瞬間だったと思います。” (“Being able to connect through music like this today, and being able to deliver this program, I think this is a day of peace, not a day of crisis, this very moment.”)

Technical Terms:

• 楠 (Kusunoki): Camphor tree, a species known for its longevity and resilience.
• 被爆地 (Hibakuchi): A term referring to areas directly affected by the atomic bombing.
• 合唱 (Gassho): Choir or choral singing.
• ヒポセンター (Hiposenta): Hypocenter, the point on the ground directly below the detonation of the atomic bomb.