‘Wings’ a Japanese art song composed by Toru Takemitsu. Lyrics and translation with tips for Japanese lerners

Hello, I’m Miyako, a Japanese soprano singer.

Toru Takemitsu is known worldwide as a composer whose works span an incredibly wide range of genres. Among his many compositions, he also left behind a number of beautiful songs.

Today, I’d like to write about one of them—“Tsubasa” (Wings).

 

About Toru Takemitsu

Toru Takemitsu was born in Tokyo on October 8, 1930.
He was largely self-taught as a composer.
Over the course of his career, he received numerous commissions from international music festivals and renowned orchestras, presenting many works that gained worldwide acclaim.

He became known as “Takemitsu of the World.”

In addition to his concert music, he composed music for over 90 films, as well as for television dramas, radio, and theater.
He was also a prolific essayist and novelist—his creative output is truly extensive.

Toru Takemitsu passed away on February 20, 1996, at the age of 65.

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About the Song “Tsubasa” (Wings)

“Tsubasa” was written for the stage play Wings by Arthur Kopit, which was performed in February 1982.
The song was sung by Japanese actress Etsuko Ichihara during the production.

Later, Takemitsu released a CD in 1995 called “Pop Songs”, in which he entrusted arrangements of his own songs to a pop music arranger. “Tsubasa” was also included in this album.

Regarding the release of this album, Takemitsu wrote:

“Many people must have wondered why a composer known for classical—and often difficult—contemporary music would make an album like this.
As I wrote in the song ‘Tsubasa’, this kind of endeavor is, for me, a way to obtain a visa to freedom.
I simply wish to keep my spirit flexible and open, not closed off or rigid.”

When seen in this light, Takemitsu’s songs are all uniquely approachable.
They don’t seem to be confined by the label of “modern composer,” and perhaps for him, song was a symbol of freedomas a composer.

About Arthur Kopit’s Play Wings

Arthur Kopit was an American playwright.
Wings tells the dark and emotional story of a former stunt pilot who suffers a stroke and becomes aphasic, portraying her struggles with illness and recovery.

A Japanese translation by Yaeko Nukata was published by Gekishobo in 1982.

 

Lyrics

🎵「つばさ」 かぜよ　くもよ　ひかりよ ゆめを　はこぶ　つばさ はるかなる　そらに　えがく 「きぼう」と　いう　じを ひとは　ゆめみ　たびして いつか　そらを　とぶ かぜよ　くもよ　ひかりよ ゆめを　はこぶ　つばさ はるかなる　そらに　えがく 「じゆう」と　いう　じを

‘Tsubasa’ Kaze yo, kumo yo, hikari yo Yume o hakobu tsubasa Haruka naru sora ni egaku “Kibou” to iu ji o Hito wa yume mi, tabi shite Itsuka sora o tobu Kaze yo, kumo yo, hikari yo Yume o hakobu tsubasa Haruka naru sora ni egaku “Jiyuu” to iu ji o

Lyrics (English Translation)

Wind, clouds, and sunlight,
Wings that carry dreams
Draw in the distant sky
The word “Hope”

People dream and journey on,
One day, to fly in the sky.

Wind, clouds, and sunlight,
Wings that carry dreams
Draw in the distant sky
The word “Freedom”

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In Conclusion

This song reminds us how important freedom is for artists and creators.
“Tsubasa” doesn’t resemble Takemitsu’s major works like November Steps or Requiem for Strings at all. Instead, it feels like a gentle blend of jazz and blues, evoking a sense of floating rather than flying—light, comforting, and free.

It’s a beautiful example of how Takemitsu sought openness and freedom through his music.

喜んで！
こちらは、「翼（Tsubasa）」の日本語歌詞を、日本語学習者向けに英語でやさしく解説したものです。歌詞の意味を理解しやすくするために、1行ずつ英訳と簡単な解釈を添えています。

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🎵 “Tsubasa” – Lyrics Explanation for Japanese Learners

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かぜよ　くもよ　ひかりよ

Kaze yo, kumo yo, hikari yo
Oh wind, oh clouds, oh sunlight
👉 The particle よ adds emotional emphasis—like calling out to nature. This line is poetic, addressing natural elements with feeling.

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ゆめを　はこぶ　つばさ

Yume o hakobu tsubasa
Wings that carry dreams
👉 ゆめ (yume) means “dream,” and はこぶ (hakobu) means “to carry.” So this line describes wings that carry your hopes or dreams.

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はるかなる　そらに　えがく

Haruka naru sora ni egaku
Draw (something) in the faraway sky
👉 はるかなるそら = “distant sky.”
えがく (egaku) means “to draw” or “to paint.” It’s a poetic way of expressing something beautiful being created in the sky.

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「きぼう」と　いう　じを

“Kibou” to iu ji o
The character (kanji) that means “hope”
👉 きぼう (kibou) = “hope,”
というじ (to iu ji) = “the character called…”
So the line means: the word “hope” is drawn in the sky.

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ひとは　ゆめみ　たびして

Hito wa yume mi, tabi shite
People dream and go on a journey
👉 ひと (hito) = “people,”
ゆめみ (yume mi) = “to dream,”
たびして (tabi shite) = “to travel”
A poetic way of saying: people live by dreaming and journeying through life.

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いつか　そらを　とぶ

Itsuka sora o tobu
Someday, they will fly through the sky
👉 いつか (itsuka) = “someday”
This line expresses hope and aspiration—it suggests that someday, those dreams will allow people to fly (figuratively or literally).

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かぜよ　くもよ　ひかりよ

(Repeated)

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ゆめを　はこぶ　つばさ

(Repeated)

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はるかなる　そらに　えがく

(Repeated)

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「じゆう」と　いう　じを

“Jiyuu” to iu ji o
The character (kanji) that means “freedom”
👉 Just like earlier with “hope,” this time it’s じゆう (jiyuu) = “freedom”
So now the wings are drawing the word freedom in the sky.

 

 

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🌸 Summary for Learners:

This song is full of poetic imagery. It uses simple but powerful words:

• Nature (wind, clouds, light)
• Emotions (dream, hope, freedom)
• Human journey (to dream, to travel, to fly)

It’s a beautiful way to learn emotional Japanese, particles like よ, and metaphors.