May 19, 2010

Ghibli Animation OST Part 4 - Princess Mononoke

Princess Mononoke, or Mononoke Hime, is a 1997 Studio Ghibli animation film directed by Hayao Miyazaki. I remember watching it long ago, but I do not really remember what happened. Looking back on the film now, I think it is safe to say that Princess Mononoke is one of Hayao Miyazaki's best films. It is not as recent as Ponyo on a Cliff or as famous as Spirited Away or Howl's Moving Castle, but I think that Mononoke Hime definitely puts Ponyo on a Cliff behind. Whereas Ponyo on a Cliff is more appropriate for a younger audience, Mononoke Hime is definitely not a simple children's animation movie. It's master artwork (mostly done by hand) and clear and powerful theme touches people of all audiences. In fact, I think I would be able to appreciate the movie much more if I were to see it now. I plan to re-watch all of Hayao Miyazaki's films over the summer, starting with Princess Mononoke. Not only does the movie contain an incredible depth, it demonstrates a high standard of completion. This does not leave out the auditory aspects of the film.

The first video is the main theme from Princess Mononoke, The Legend of Ashitaka. The second video is the theme with lyrics (by Hayao Miyazaki) to Joe Hisaishi's music in Japanese. Yoshikazu Mera performed it. The last movie is the same theme, but in English, performed by Sasha Lazard.






Mononoke Hime

Lyrics by Hayao Miyazaki
Music by Joe Hisaishi

Japanese

Haritsumeta Yumi no Furueru Tsuru yo
Tsuki no Hikari ni Zawameku Omae no Kokoro

Togisumasareta Yaiba no Utsukushi
Sono Kissaki ni Yoku Nita Sonata no Yokogao

Kanashimi to Ikari ni Hisomu Makoto no Kokoro wo
Shiru wa Mori no Sei
Mononoke Tachi dake
Mononoke Tachi dake

English Translation (by Deborah Goldsmith and Ryoko Toyama)

The trembling string of a taut bow
Your Heart is unsettled by the Moonlight

The beauty of a sharp blade
Thy profile, very much like its edge

Thy true heart hides behind the sorrow and anger
The spirits of the forest know it
Only the Mononoke
Only the Mononoke


Thanks!! Lyrics from: http://www.nausicaa.net/wiki/Princess_Mononoke_(song)



In the moonlight I felt your heart
quiver like a bow string's pulse
in the moon's pale light
you looked at me
Nobody knows your heart
when the sun has gone I see you
beautiful and haunting but cold
like the blade of a knife so sharp so smooth
nobody knows your heart

All of your sorrow, grief and pain
locked away in the forest of the night
Your secret heart belongs to the world
of the things that sigh in the dark
of the things that cry in the dark.

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