This very popular Japanese song was composed by Rentaro Taki in 1901 for a poem written by Bansui Doi, an important figure in modern Japanese literature.

Doi's Kojo no Tsuki poem was inspired by the ruins of Okajyo Castle and completed  in 1900.

Though Rentaro Taki died at the young age of 24, he left us one of the most loved songs in Japan

Okajyo Castle built was built in 1185.

1. Haru koro no hana no en
Meguru sakazuki kagesashite
Tschiyo no matsu ga e wakeideshi
Mukashi no hikari Ima izuko
Mukashi no hikari Ima izuko

2. Aki jinei no schimo no iro
Nakiyuku kari no kazu misete
Uuru tsurugi ni terisoishi
Mukashi no hikari ima izuko

3. Ima kojo no yowa no tsuki
Kawaranu hikari ta ga tame zo
Kaki ni nokoru wa tada kazura
Matsu ni uto wa tada arashi

4. Tenjokage wa kawaranedo
Eiko wa utsuru yo no sugata
Utsusan toteka ima mo nao
Ah! Kojo no yowa no tsuki
 

It was a spring evening
A feast of blossoms was held on the tower,
and cups of wine were passed around.
Then up from the old pine the moon rose.
But now, where is the brightness of bygone days?

It was a frosty night of autumn.
Up above the camp
many a wild goose passed, calling.
And the moon shone on the unsheathed swords.
But now, where is the brightness of bygone days?

Translation from Japanese:
The castle, Oka, which made history
The moon shines high over the desolate castle.
You were in bathed in light, and
Produced the famous "Kojo no Tsuki".

"All surpassness is in aid of the soul"
Goethe, the great, said this so.
The melody, which sounds in the world,
Won't delay as long as the moon shines.

You left for Germany and were on the East Sea.
You were homeward board owing to your illness.
I visited you at the Thames quay.
That was  over forty years ago.

Ah! The young genius.
Your melody still vivid in my memory
Under the lucid moon
At the Oka Castle
 

1. Im Frühling gab es ein Bankett zur Kirschblütenzeit im prächtigen Schloss.
Wo ist das Licht jetzt, das den Schatten um den herumgereichten Becher warf  und die tausendjährigen Kiefernzweige durchflutete?

2. (Die zweite Strophe ist schwer. Es gibt viele Interpretazionen. Das Folgende ist meine Interpretation.)
Im Herbst färbte der Reif das Feldlager.
Wo gibt es das Licht jetzt, das die wie Pflanzen wirkenden Schwerter, die so zahlreich sind, wie schnatternd fliegenden Wildgänse anleuchtete?

3. Jetzt gibt es den Mond  über dem öden Schloss.
Für wen scheint er ohne Änderung?
An der Mauer bleiben nur Ranken.
Nur der Sturm singt zwischen Ästen der Kiefern.

4. Der Schatten am Himmel ändert sich nicht, aber er  spiegelt immer noch, dass Gedeih zum Verderb übergeht. Ah! Der Mond  über dem öden Schloss!
 

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Sally Chaney