"The Parasol Song": Reevaluating the moving song of the people

The appeal and evaluation of "Poem of Parasols"

"The Parasol Poem" is a short two-minute animated work that was broadcast on NHK Educational TV (now NHK E-Tele) in August 1997. This work was produced as part of NHK's "Minna no Uta" series, and the illustrations were done by Kiyoshi Nakajima. Below, we will take a closer look at the appeal and reputation of this work, as well as its background.

Overview

As you can tell from the fact that the original media for "Poem of the Parasol" is listed as "Other," it was not based on any specific original novel or manga, but was produced as an original story. It was broadcast in August 1997 and was a short work with only one episode, but the content was very deep and left a strong impression on viewers.

Story and Themes

The story of this work depicts a girl using a parasol under the strong summer sun. With her parasol, the girl walks through the city, takes a rest in the park, and then spends her time returning home at dusk. The story does not have a particularly dramatic development, but it carefully depicts the girl's emotional movements and the beauty of the world as seen through the parasol.

The theme of the piece is the beauty of everyday life and the importance of feeling the change of seasons through a seemingly simple item, a parasol. The parasol is not just a tool for shade, but a symbol of the girl's heart, conveying to the viewer how beautiful the world is from her perspective.

Visuals and Music

The visuals of "Poem of the Parasol" are drawn with a delicate touch by Kiyoshi Nakajima. The soft watercolor-like colors and detailed background art make you feel the heat and coolness of summer at the same time. In particular, the shadows of the parasols and the reflections of light are beautifully drawn, making this a very visually appealing work.

The music is characterized by a quiet and gentle melody. The piano is the main instrument, making it the perfect background music to express the girl's inner thoughts and the changing of the seasons. The lyrics also poetically express the beauty of the world as seen from the girl's point of view, allowing you to enjoy the worldview of the work both visually and aurally.

Evaluation and impact

"The Parasol Song" has been loved by many viewers since it was first broadcast, and is still considered one of the most popular songs on "Minna no Uta" today. The reasons for this include the following:

• Beautiful images and music : Nakajima Kiyoshi's artwork and gentle piano melodies combine to deeply move viewers.
• Beauty in Everyday Life : Through the familiar item of a parasol, we convey the importance of appreciating the beauty of everyday life and the changing of the seasons.
• Symbolism of the Heart : The parasol is depicted as a symbol of the girl's heart, allowing the viewer to see the world from her perspective.

This work continues to be loved by many people even now, more than 20 years after it was first broadcast. Especially when you rewatch it in the summer, you will feel both nostalgia and freshness at the same time. It is also a work that is accepted by a wide range of generations, from children to adults, so it is recommended to watch it with the whole family.

Production background and episodes

Let's also touch on the background of the production of "The Parasol Song." This work was produced as part of NHK's "Minna no Uta" series. "Minna no Uta" is a long-running program that has been airing since 1961, and is a beloved children's music program. "The Parasol Song" was produced as part of this series, and was broadcast as a work perfectly suited to the summer season.

Nakajima Kiyoshi was responsible for the illustrations of this work. He is known for his soft, watercolor-like touch, and his talent is on full display in "Poem of the Parasol." His works are known not only for their visual beauty, but also for their careful depiction of the movements and emotions of the mind, and "Poem of the Parasol" is one example of this.

Response from viewers

"The Parasol Poem" has received a great response from viewers since it was first broadcast. It was especially well-received for its coolness and nostalgia when viewed during the summer. It was also popular among a wide range of generations, from children to adults, and as a work that the whole family could watch together.

Even now, if you search for the video and music of "The Parasol Song" on the Internet, you will find many comments and impressions from viewers. Among them, there are various reactions, from nostalgic impressions remembering the time when it was broadcast to comments from new viewers who talk about the emotions they felt when they saw it for the first time.

Recommendations and related works

After watching "The Parasol Song," we also recommend the following works. These works were also produced as part of the "Minna no Uta" series, and will captivate viewers with their beautiful images and music.

• "Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind" : A masterpiece animation directed by Hayao Miyazaki. The work is about the coexistence of nature and humans, and is characterized by beautiful images and music.
• "My Neighbor Totoro" : Also directed by Hayao Miyazaki, this film depicts the beauty of the world seen through a child's point of view, making it perfect for watching with the whole family.
• "Spirited Away" : Hayao Miyazaki's latest work. A film about growth and self-discovery, the beautiful images and music draw the viewer in.

Like "The Song of the Parasol," these works also captivate the viewer with their beautiful images and music. After watching "The Song of the Parasol," be sure to check out these works as well.

summary

"The Parasol Poem" is a short two-minute animation that was broadcast on NHK Educational TV in August 1997, but its deep content left a strong impression on viewers. It continues to be loved by many viewers for its beautiful images and music, as well as its theme of conveying the beauty of everyday life and the importance of appreciating the changing of the seasons. Please watch this work and feel the summer.