6 November 2011 marks the Sixth Anniversary of the passing of Honda Minako本田美奈子. This video is dedicated to her living memory, as Minako is still with us; in our minds, in our hearts, in our love. She would not want us to continue mourning, but to remember the happy times…the good places. “requiem ~wish~” is a magnificent composition, based upon the music composed for the lyric she wrote for the song, “「wish」”. The somber beginning is followed by the essence of her life and teachings; to love and appreciate life each and every day.
作曲：井上鑑 Composition: Inoue Akira (Kan Inoue)
Piano: 井上鑑 Inoue Akira
Guitar: 古川昌義 Furukawa Masayosh
Violin: 高嶋ちさ子 Takashima Chisako
Violoncello: 古川展生 Furukawa Nobuo
Shakuhachi (Bamboo Flute) 藤原道山 Fujiwara Dozan
Album: 「wish」
When Honda Minako was in the hospital she composed a lyric for a song she planned to sing upon her return to the stage and concert hall. She sent the unfinished lyric to her friend, Inoue Akira. Inoue Akira assembled a group of friends, including Masaharu Fukuyama, and they recorded a tape of the song and sent it to Minako. At that time, neither Minako nor “Masha” knew that they were each fans of one another. Honda Minako did not live to complete the song. The lyric was completed by Ichikura Hiroshi, and the group proceeded to record the song as part of the album “wish,” released in 2006, upon the first anniversary of her passing. Kan Inoue composed a magnificent Requiem version for quintet, recorded on the album, and presented here.
Two years ago, “Mitsu77230” wrote on “toscanini9’s” channel, “WISH is beautiful song. I think it has melodiousness and sublime poetry of her life.” The Wish Requiem underscores that commentary. This video would not have been possible without the help of many. Special thanks are due “chachachayama” and “skymods11”; much was borrowed from their legendary videos. Over a year ago I suggested to “Bonryujin (brjmh & brjblue)” that the Wish Requiem would make a great video. His encouragement and help made this possible; as was that of “aflove1,” “chachachayama,” “Chottocigarillo,” and “Dominaxel,” who reviewed the video and made valuable suggestions. What is right about it is their doing; what may be wrong is my responsibility, alone.
Please help in the fight against Leukemia and other life-threatening diseases. Donations can be made to NPO LIVE FOR LIFE MINAKO FOUNDATION
http://live-for-life.jp/
Non-Japanese viewers should go to Google, paste in the link and click on “Translate This Page.”
10 comments
So great emotion…… Michael, your video is perfect! Between moments of her life, and times of glory: "Always her pride was her modesty"! Many people in the world can recognize themselves in her life. Always cheerful, always concerned to provide the best. Minako will always remain radiant as the sun of Japan! ♥
@Dominaxel Thank you, Dominaxel…and thank you for your help. Minako lives…forever; in our minds, in our hearts, in our love. Minako teaches us how precious life is, and how important it is to love each day. That is the message of her life; the message of "wish"…michael
@Bonryujin-san
Thank you, Ted-san. Were it not for your encoragement, the video would not have been done; nor could it have been done without the help and assistance you provided so generously. Yes, Minako is "forever for ever." In many ways, she is more alive today than ever because you understand the depth of her beauty and share it with us so very well. It is the meaning of "wish"…michael
It is a splendid video!
The smile of Minako who this requiem can expand, and smiles seems to give the present Japanese support!!
Thank you so much! Beautifull song !!
@Crain62-san
Thank you so much for a wonderful, thoughtful comment, Carrot-san. When I first heard " requiem ~wish~" it became clear to me that one did not have to know the words to "[wish]" to know their meaning, as you do so well. Indeed, it is the beauty and poetry of her life. And, the genius of Kan Inoue's composition is for the ages. Let us all be worthy of the light Minako shines upon us…michael
the music is so pretty delicate. thank you
@gatorsinger Thank you, "gatorsinger," for your kind and thoughtful comment. "Delicate" is a perfect description of her teachings and of her life; but she had a great deal of fun, as well. Inoue Akira captured that so well in his compositions…michael
@aflove222
Thank you. "aflove222," for such a wonderful comment; I am most humble. "「wish」" is such a wonderful song and " requiem ~wish~" is composed so beautifully that one need not know the lyric of the song to understand what it tells us. It is why Honda Minako is so much a part of the minds, hearts, and lives of so many…michael
@skymods11-san
Thank you. Making this video was a labor of love, and it could not have been made without the wonderful segments from your videos that I "borrowed." Too bad that Nanno was not present but, if your guess is correct, she is not alone; many of us do not accept her death because she is always with us, or so it seems. What we learn from Minako, and the way she lived her life, makes her immortal, nearly a deity; so she lives forever…michael
本田美奈子は井上鑑を兄さんと
言ってたな。同じ時期に白血病で亡くなったカンニング中島ともメールでやりとりしていたみたい。カンニング竹山は中島の死後しばらく中島の奥さんギャラの半分をあげたらしい。今はわからないけど。