Beethoven's hair tresses reveal family history and health issues (2/2)

Recently CNN.co.jp reported the following:

ベートーベンの毛髪の房が解き明かす、家族の歴史と健康問題 (2/2)

2023.03.24 Fri posted at 21:00 JST

CNN - Ashley Strickland

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遺伝子が解き明かしたこと

研究チームは英国、欧州大陸部、米国にある公有、私有のコレクションから合計８つの髪の毛のサンプルを入手し、解析を始めた。その結果、２つはベートーベンのものではなく、また１つは損傷がひどく解析できない状態とわかった。

以前の研究ではベートーベンが鉛中毒だったと示すものがあったが、この研究はベートーベンのものではない髪の毛のサンプル――女性の髪の毛だった――に基づいたものだったことが判明している。

８つのサンプルのうち残る５つはすべて同一の欧州の男性のものであり、ベートーベンのドイツ系祖先と合致するものだった。ベートーベンは１８２６年４月、ピアニストのアントン・ハルムに「それは私の髪の毛だ！」と伝えて毛髪の房を贈っていた。

遺伝子解析からは、ベートーベンのＤＮＡに隠れた、健康問題につながる可能性のある手がかりが見つかった。

前述のクラウゼ氏は「我々はベートーベンの難聴や胃腸の病気をもたらす決定的な原因は見つけられなかった」ものの、「肝臓病の重要な遺伝的危険因子を複数発見した」と語る。

「ベートーベンが最後の病気にかかる少なくとも数カ月前にＢ型肝炎ウイルスに感染していた証拠を見つけた。これが死につながった可能性が高い」（クラウゼ氏）

研究チームはまた、遺伝子のデータを基に、ベートーベンを苦しめた要因から除外されるものを特定することもできた。小腸疾患のセリアック病や自己免疫疾患、乳糖不耐症、過敏性腸症候群などがそれにあたる。

ベートーベン自身や友人らが書いた手紙からは、ベートーベンが日常的に飲酒していたことが示されている。飲酒量の特定は難しいが、親友の一人は、ベートーベンが毎日昼食と共に少なくとも１リットルのワインを飲んでいたと記述している。

飲酒が肝臓病の遺伝的危険因子、Ｂ型肝炎の感染とあわさり、死期直前の最悪の状況を招いた可能性はある。

「もし彼のアルコール消費量が十分長い期間にわたり多量だったならば、遺伝的危険因子との相互作用が肝硬変を招いたという一つの説明が成り立つ」。論文の筆頭著者でケンブリッジ大学の博士課程の学生、トリスタン・ベッグ氏はそう語る。

だが研究チームは、こうした事象のすべてがいつ起こったかが、ベートーベンの死因の理解の上で極めて重要だと注意を促す。また、今後のさらなる研究で、難聴の原因を含むより多くの洞察を得ることができるかもしれないとも指摘する。

「我々はベートーベンのゲノムを研究者が利用できるように公開したり、新たに本人のものと確認された毛の房を最初に見つかった年代順のものに加えたりすることで、健康状態や家系にまつわる疑問がいつの日か解明することを願っている」（ベッグ氏）

ＤＮＡに潜む秘密

遺伝解析をした後、研究チームはベルギーに現在もいるベートーベンの親族のＤＮＡとの比較を行った。その結果、完全にマッチしているとは断定できないとの思いがけない結果が出た。

この親族の一部は１５００年代後半から１６００年代前半にベートーベンの父系祖先を共有しているが、ベートーベンの髪の毛のサンプルにあったＹ染色体とは一致しなかった。

ここから示されるのは、家族の歴史のどこかで、ベートーベンの父系側で婚外関係が存在し、子どもが生まれていたという点だ。

「ＤＮＡのデータと古い記録を合わせて考えると、ルードビッヒ・バン・ベートーベンの法的な家系と生物学的な家系の間には不一致が存在することが観察できた」。論文の共著者でベルギーのルーベン・カトリック大学の遺伝子系図学の専門家マールテン・ラルムゾー氏はそう語る。

研究者らはベートーベンの７代前の父系祖先にあたるヘンドリック・バン・ベートーベンを妊娠した１５７２年と、ベートーベン本人を妊娠した１７７０年の間のどこかで婚外関係が存在したと推定している。

Translation

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What genes reveal

The researcher team obtained and began analyzing a total of eight hair samples from public and private collections in the UK, continental Europe, and the US. Two were not Beethoven's, and one was too damaged to be analyzed.

Previous research had suggested that Beethoven had lead poisoning, but this study turned out was based on a hair sample that was not Beethoven's but from a woman, as confirmed by DNA.

The remaining five of the eight samples were all from the same European male, consistent with Beethoven's German ancestry. In April 1826, Beethoven gave a tuft of hair to the pianist Anton Halm, telling him, "That's my hair!"

Genetic analysis found clues hidden in Beethoven's DNA that could lead to health problems.

Krause, mentioned earlier, said that while "We didn't find a definitive cause of Beethoven's hearing loss or gastrointestinal ailments", "we found several important genetic risk factors for liver disease."

"We found evidence that Beethoven had been infected with the hepatitis B virus at least a few months before his final illness, which likely led to his death." (Krause)

The researchers were also able to use the genetic data to identify the exclusion factors that plagued Beethoven. Small bowel diseases such as celiac disease, autoimmune diseases, lactose intolerance, and irritable bowel syndrome corresponded to this.

Letters written by Beethoven himself and his friends indicated that Beethoven was a regular drinker. It was difficult to determine how much he drank, but one of his close friends noted that Beethoven drank at least a liter of wine in lunch each day.

Drinking, with a combined genetic risk factor for liver disease and hepatitis B infection, might have contributed to the worst situation just before death.

Tristan Begg, lead author of the paper and PhD student at the University of Cambridge, said "If his alcohol consumption was high enough over a long enough period, one explanation is that an interaction with genetic risk factors led to cirrhosis."

But the researchers cautioned that, when all these events occurred, it would be crucial to understanding Beethoven's cause of death. He also pointed out that future research might provide more insights, including the causes of hearing loss.

"By making Beethoven's genome available to researchers, and by adding newly identified tufts of hair in chronological order to those which were first found, I hope that one day we will be able to clarify the questions around health and ancestry." (Begg)

Secret hidden in DNA

After performing a genetic analysis, the researchers compared the DNA of Beethoven's relatives who still lived in Belgium. As a result, an unexpected outcome was obtained that a perfect match could not be concluded.

Some of the relatives shared Beethoven's paternal ancestry in the late 1500s and early 1600s, but did not match the Y chromosome found in Beethoven's hair samples.

This suggested that somewhere in the family history, an extramarital affair existed and a child was born on Beethoven's paternal side.

"Given the combined DNA data and historical records, we could observe that there is a discrepancy between the legal and biological ancestry of Ludwig van Beethoven", said Co-author Maarten Larmuseau, an expert in genetic genealogy at the Catholic University of Leuven in Belgium.

Researchers dated 1572 as the time when Hendrik van Beethoven, a paternal ancestor seven generations before Beethoven, was conceived; it was presumed that an extramarital affair existed somewhere during 1770 and Beethoven was conceived.

              So, researchers analyze the DNA left in Beethoven's hair tresses to sequence Beethoven's genome for the first time ever. The Y chromosome found in Beethoven's hair samples do not match. This suggests that somewhere in the family history, an extramarital affair existed and a child was born on Beethoven's paternal side. While this is an interesting historical finding, I am wondering if that this may infringe the privacy of Ludwig van Beethoven.

Beethoven's hair tresses reveal family history and health issues (1/2)

 

Recently CNN.co.jp reported the following:

ベートーベンの毛髪の房が解き明かす、家族の歴史と健康問題 (1/2)

2023.03.24 Fri posted at 21:00 JST

CNN - Ashley Strickland

作曲家ルードビッヒ・バン・ベートーベンが１８２７年３月２７日に死去する前、彼の願いは自分の病気を調べ、共有してもらうことだった。「私の死後、世界と私との間で少なくともできる限り和解が生まれるように」と祈っての願いだった。

そして今、研究者らはベートーベンの髪の毛の房に残っていたＤＮＡを分析し、史上初となるベートーベンのゲノム配列の決定を行うことで、その願いをかなえようとしている。

この研究結果は２２日に科学誌「カレント・バイオロジー」で発表された。

「我々の大きな目標はベートーベンの健康問題に光を当てることにある。そこにはよく知られている進行性の難聴が含まれる。彼は２０代の半ばか後半から難聴が始まり、１８１８年までには機能的に聴力を失った状態になった」。論文の共著者でドイツ・ライプチヒのマックス・プランク進化人類学研究所の教授を務めるヨハネス・クラウゼ氏は声明でそう語る。

研究者らは５つの髪の毛のサンプルから、家族の歴史や慢性的な健康問題、５６歳で亡くなった死因について洞察を得た。

ベートーベンの病気

この著名なクラシック音楽の作曲家は難聴のほか、人生を通じて胃腸の病気を繰り返し、重い肝臓病にもかかった。

ベートーベンは１８０２年、弟に宛てた手紙で、医師のヨハン・アダム・シュミットに自身の死後に病気を特定し共有してもらうようにと記述した。この手紙は「ハイリゲンシュタットの遺書」として知られている。

だが結局、ベートーベンはこの最も信頼を寄せる医師よりも１８年長く生き、遺書は自身の死後、書き物机の隠れた部分から発見された。ベートーベンは手紙の中で、作曲家として聴力を失う状況と闘いながらどれほどの絶望を感じたかを告白するとともに、自身の作品が自らの命を絶つのを思いとどまらせたとも記述した。「作曲の衝動に駆られる全ての作品を生み出す前に」旅立ちたくないと記した。

ベートーベンの死後には、ベートーベンの病気や本当の死因が何だったのかを巡り臆測が流れた。

死去までの７年間に、ベートーベンは少なくとも２度の黄疸（おうだん）を経験している。肝臓病と関係があるこの症状から、肝硬変が死因だとの考えが通説となった。

病歴の研究者はこれまで、ベートーベンの手紙や日記、検視結果、医師の記録、１８６３年と８８年に遺体が掘り起こされた際の記録まで調べ、ベートーベンの複雑な病歴を解き明かそうとした。

だが今回の論文の研究者らは約８年前、ベートーベンの髪の毛の遺伝子解析を開始することで謎に迫ろうと新たな一歩を踏み出した。利用したサンプルにはベートーベンが死ぬ７年前の頭髪も含まれていた。

(to be continued)

Translation

Before composer Ludwig van Beethoven died on March 27, 1827, his wish was to research his illness and share it. He prayed that “after my death there would be at least as much reconciliation as possible between the world and me”.

And now, researchers were making that wish come true by analyzing the DNA left in Beethoven's hair tresses to sequence Beethoven's genome for the first time ever.

The results of this research were published on the 22nd in the scientific journal Current Biology.

Johannes Krause, co-author of the paper and professor at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Leipzig, Germany said in a statement that "Our major goal is to shed light on Beethoven's health problems, including his well-known progressive deafness.  He began hearing loss in his mid to late 20s."

Five hair samples gave the researchers insight into her family history, chronic health problems and the cause of his death at the age of 56.

Beethoven's illness

In addition to being deaf, the celebrated classical composer suffered from recurring gastrointestinal ailments throughout his life, as well as severe liver disease.

In 1802, Beethoven wrote in a letter to his brother asking his doctor, Johann Adam Schmidt, to identify and share his illness after his own death. This letter is known as the "Heiligenstadt Testament".

In the end, however, Beethoven outlived this most trusted physician by 18 years, and his will was found in a hidden section of his writing desk after his own death. In his letter, Beethoven confessed how desperate he felt as a composer while battling the situation of losing his hearing, and he also recorded that his work discouraged him from taking his own life. He wrote that he did not want to leave "before he produced all the works driven by his composing impulse".

After Beethoven's death, speculation arose over Beethoven's illness and what was his true cause of death.

In the seven years before his death, Beethoven suffered from jaundice at least twice. From this condition associated with liver disease, led to the popular belief that cirrhosis was the cause of death.

Medical history investigators so far had tried to examine Beethoven's letters, diaries, autopsy results, doctors' notes, and even records on the moment his body was being exhumed in 1863 and 1888 in an attempt to unravel Beethoven's complex medical history.

But about eight years ago, the researchers in this paper took another step toward solving the mystery by starting to genetically analyze Beethoven's hair. The samples used included Beethoven's hair seven years before his death.

(to be continued)

與香港文化 “黃金時代” 有關的作曲家顧嘉煇在溫哥華去世

Recently Yahoo News on-lone reported the following:

Composer Joseph Koo, linked to 'Golden Era' of Hong Kong culture, dies in Vancouver

The Canadian Press

Fri, January 6, 2023 at 8:52 a.m. GMT+8

VANCOUVER — Renowned composer Joseph Koo, whose music helped form the soundtrack for what his family called the "Golden Era" of Hong Kong culture in the 1970s and '80s, has died in a Metro Vancouver hospital.

Koo's family said in a statement that he died of natural causes on Tuesday, six days short of his 92nd birthday.

The composer is closely associated with the heyday of Cantopop, writing songs for some of the biggest names of the Cantonese music genre as well as scoring movies including Bruce Lee's "Way of the Dragon" and "Fist of Fury."

He also wrote "Below the Lion Rock," the theme tune for a popular '70s TV series of the same name, which became an unofficial anthem for Hong Kong.

Koo's family said he attended the Berklee College of Music in Boston before returning to Hong Kong in the '60s to launch his music career.

They said he immigrated to Canada in the 1990s but continued his work in the Hong Kong music scene.

"He will be dearly missed within the music industry and by Chinese communities around the world," the family's statement said.

Koo’s son Ken, 64, said his father was a quiet "man of few words."

That was in contrast to his longtime collaborator and lyricist James Wong Jim.

"One is shyer and the other is more flamboyant, it's a very good balance. So together, they make a very good duo," Ken Koo said.

Koo wrote songs for stars including Leslie Cheung, Anita Mui and Roman Tam but he was also known for his film and TV work. His first popular song was "Dream" for 1961 Hong Kong film "Love Without End."

Ken Koo said his father wrote more than 1,000 songs, popularizing Cantonese music and capturing the spirit of Hong Kong at a time of great optimism, when “every day was a better day than yesterday.”

The songs resonated with generations of Hong Kongers and Chinese communities worldwide, he said.

Singer Annabelle Louie, a star in Hong Kong in the 1980s whose songs included two written by Koo, said the composer's melodies had not aged.

"I've done a lot of performances in Canada and the States, so whenever I do his songs, there is always a climax, people just love it," said Louie.

She said the "Godfather of Cantopop" was also a mentor.

"When I was working with him in a recording studio, he gently guided me on how to sing the song and he also left room for me to improvise. He is a really good teacher," said Louie. "His influence isn't just limited to the '70s and '80s, he also inspired the younger generation."

Ken Koo, who lives in Vancouver, said at the peak of his father's career, demand for his work was so great that he only slept three to four hours per day.

He divided his time between Canada and Hong Kong but he retired to Vancouver permanently four years ago.

“We spent a great amount of time here doing a lot of things that are very memorable, like going to Campbell River for fishing trips. We had a lot of really great moments in Canada,” said Ken.

He said his father died in Richmond Hospital.

Hong Kong's secretary for culture, sports and tourism, Kevin Yeung, paid tribute to Koo in a statement.

"Joseph Koo's works are evergreen pieces that have been a significant part of Hong Kong people's lives over the years, and have enriched the lives of Chinese people around the world," he said.

"His spirit and the memorable touching melodies he created will be passed down from one generation to the next. We shall fondly remember him."

Koo is survived by his widow Ella Tsang Noi Koo, son Ken, daughter Sally Koo, his brother Howard Ku and sister Koo Mei.

(This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 5, 2023. This story was produced with the financial assistance of the Meta and Canadian Press News Fellowship.)

Translation

溫哥華 - 著名作曲家 顧嘉煇在大溫哥華地區的一家醫院去世，他的家人稱他的音樂於 1970 年代和 80 年代的香港文化 “黃金時代” 中創作了影視配樂。

顧嘉煇的家人在一份聲明中說，他於週二因自然原因去世，距離他 92 歲生日還有六天。

這位作曲家與粵語流行樂的鼎盛時期密切相關，為廣東歌流派的一些知名人士創作歌曲，並為李小龍的《猛龍過江》和《精武門》等得獎電影配樂。

他還創作了 70 年代同名電視劇的主題曲《獅子山下》，成為香港的非官方國歌。

顧嘉煇的家人說，在 60 年代回到香港開始他的音樂生涯之前，他曾就讀於波士頓的伯克利音樂學院。

他們說他在 1990 年代移民到加拿大，但繼續在香港樂壇工作。

該家族的聲明說: “音樂界和世界各地的華人社區都會非常想念他”。

顧嘉煇的兒子 Ken Koo，64 歲，說他的父親是一個沉默 “寡言的人”。

這與他的長期合作者兼作詞家黃霑形成鮮明對比。

Ken Koo 說: “一個較害羞，另一個較張揚，這是一個很好的平衡。所以他們在一起，是一個非常好的二人組” 。

顧為張國榮、梅艷芳和羅文等明星寫歌，但他也以電影和電視作品而聞名。 他的第一首流行歌曲是1961年香港電影《不了情》中的《夢》。

Ken Koo 說他的父親寫了 1,000 多首歌曲，推廣粵語音樂，並在 “每一天都比昨天更好” 的非常樂觀年代捕捉香港精神。

他說，這些歌曲引起了幾代香港人和全球華人社區的共鳴。

1980 年代的香港明星歌手安Annabelle Louie 的歌曲中有兩首是顧嘉煇創作的，她說作曲家的旋律沒有過時。

Annabelle Louie 說: “我在加拿大和美國做過很多表演，所以每當我唱他的歌時，總會有一個高潮，人們就是喜歡它” 。

她說 “廣東歌教父” 也是一位導師。

Louie說: “我在錄音室和他一起工作時，他溫柔地指導我如何唱這首歌，他也給我留下了即興發揮的空間，他是一位非常好的老師”; “他的影響不僅限於 70 年代和 80 年代，他還啟發了年輕一代。”

住在溫哥華的 Ken Koo 說，他父親事業在巔峰的時期，他的工作需求如此之大，以至於他每天只睡三到四個小時。

他在加拿大和香港兩地生活，但四年前退休後長居於溫哥華。

Ken Koo說: “我們在這裡度過了很多時間，做了很多非常難忘的事情，比如去Campbell 河釣魚。 我們在加拿大度過了很多非常美好的時光” 。

他說他的父親在烈治文醫院去世了。

香港文化、體育及旅遊局局長楊潤雄在一份聲明中向顧表示敬意。

楊說： “顧嘉煇的作品是長青的，多年來一直是香港人生活的重要組成部分，也豐富了世界各地華人的生活。”

“他的精神和由他創作的,令人難忘的動人旋律將代代相傳。我們將永遠懷念他。”

顧嘉煇身後有遺孀 Ella Tsang Noi Koo、兒子 Ken Koo、女兒 Sally Koo、弟弟 Howard Koo 和姊姊 Koo Mei。

           So, renowned composer Joseph Koo whose music has helped form the soundtrack of the so called the "Golden Era" of Hong Kong culture in the 1970s and '80s has died. He has popularized Cantonese music that can capture the spirit of Hong Kong at a time of great optimism when “every day was a better day than yesterday.” I belong to that period. I love his song and feel sad to know his passing away.

Mr. Seiji Ozawa was hospitalized: will concentrate on treatment for 1 month, this month's performance was replaced

Recently the NHK News On-line reported the following:

小澤征爾さん入院 １か月治療に専念 今月の公演は降板

3月8日 16時58分

世界的な指揮者の小澤征爾さんが、心臓の弁がうまく機能しない「大動脈弁狭さく症」と診断されて入院しました。退院までおよそ１か月かかる見込みで、今月予定されている公演の指揮を降板して、治療に専念するということです。

事務所によりますと、小澤征爾さん（８２）は先月２７日に体調不良を訴えて病院で検査を受け、その後、心臓の弁がうまく機能せず、血液を全身に送り出す部位が狭くなっている「大動脈弁狭さく症」と診断されました。

検査と同時に入院し、精密検査をしたうえで治療に専念し、退院までおよそ１か月かかる見込みだということです。

小澤さんは今月、京都と名古屋、東京で開かれる「小澤征爾音楽塾オペラ・プロジェクト」で４回、指揮をするほか、子ども向けの公演で話をすることになっていましたが、すべて降板し、指揮は代役が立てられることになりました。

小澤さんは「本当に申し訳ない気持ちでいっぱいです。楽しみにしてくれていたお客様に、心から深くおわび申し上げます。私自身も、とても残念な気持ちでおりますが、また皆様の前で指揮をするためにも、今は治療に専念し、体力の回復に励みたいと思っております」とコメントしています。

My translation

Mr. Seiji Ozawa the international conductor was hospitalized, his heart valve did not function well and was diagnosed as having “Aortic valve stenosis ". It was said that it was possible to take approximately 1 month before being discharged,  his conducting  scheduled for this month was replaced in order to concentrate on treatment.

According to his office, Mr. Seiji Ozawa (82) complained about poor physical condition on the 27th and had received a check in a hospital last month, after that he was diagnosed as suffering from “aorta valve stricture"  :  his heart valve did not function well and the part which pumped blood to the whole body had become smaller.

While hospitalized, examination was done at the same time. In order to receive treatment after careful examination, it was said that there was the possibility of taking approximately 1 month before being discharged from the hospital.

Mr. Ozawa was scheduled to hold the “Ozawa Seiji Music School Opera Project” in Kyoto, Nagoya and Tokyo this month. On top of conducting  for 4 time, he was  supposed to talk in lectures for children, but all these were replaced and his conducting role had a substitute.

Mr. Ozawa commented that “I am really full of sorrow feelings. I deeply and sincerely apologize to the customer who was looking forward to the performance. For myself I feel very regrettable, in order to be able conduct in front of everybody, I would like to concentrate on treatment to encourage the recovery of my physical strength."

    Mr. Ozawa is an internationally famous music conductor. I wish him a quick recovery from the ailment.

兩首未發行的“李香蘭”歌曲被發現

A few weeks ago the NHK News on-line reported the following:

“李香蘭”の未発表歌 ２曲見つかる

4月11日 22時24分

戦時中、日本人であることを伏せて、李香蘭の名前で女優として歌や映画で活躍し、去年亡くなった山口淑子さんが戦時中に録音したとみられる未発表の歌２曲があることが分かりました。戦地へ赴いた兵士の涙を描いたとみられる歌詞もあり、レコード会社は「戦時中にはそぐわないとして、発売を自粛した可能性もある」としています。

これは東京・渋谷区にある古賀政男音楽文化振興財団に保管されていた音源を山口淑子さんと契約していたレコード会社が確認したものです。それによりますと、見つかった音源はＳＰ盤と呼ばれるレコードで、「雲のふるさと」と「月のしづく」という題名の合わせて２曲が収録されていて、ともに作詞は大木惇夫さん、作曲は古賀政男さんだということです。２曲とも終戦の前の年の昭和１９年１１月に収録されたという資料が残っていて、ＳＰ盤やその包装紙には、曲名や李香蘭の名前のほか、「未発表」などの文字が書かれています。
このうち「雲のふるさと」の歌詞では、「故しらず涙落つるを」など、戦地へ赴き涙ぐむ兵士の思いが描かれているとみられ、レコード会社の資料には「作詩不良の為発売不能」と記されているということです。日本コロムビアの三谷順一さんは「戦意を高揚させるような歌ではなかったため、戦時中にはそぐわないとして、発売を自粛した可能性もある」と推測しています。この歌は今月２９日に発売されるＣＤに収録されるということです。

(試譯文)

It was made clear that during wartime she covered up herself being Japanese, and as an actress active in both singing and in movies using the name of Li Xianglan, Ms. Yoshiko Yamaguchi who passed away last year had 2 unreleased songs that were considered to have been recorded during the War. It was thought that the lyrics could draw tears of those soldiers who went to the front; the record maker supposed that "as they were unsuitable during wartime, there was also a possibility that their sale was restricted".

It was the Masao Koga musical cultural promotion foundation in Tokyo Shibuya district that was keeping the original sound trek while a record company which had a contract with Ms. Yoshiko Yamaguchi confirmed this. According to them, the title of the songs found were respectively "Clouds of hometown" and "Droplets of the moon". Recorded in the so called SP disk, in total two songs were recorded. It was said that together Mr. Masao Koga composed the songs while Mr. Atsuo Ohki wrote the lyrics. The material left behind indicated that the two songs were recorded in November 1944, a year before the end of the War. Written on the SP disk and on the wrapping paper were the characters "unreleased" etc. in addition to song names and the name of Li Xianglan.

Among the lyrics of "Clouds of hometown” were: "I don't know the reason for dropping my tears". It was thought that they described the thoughts of soldiers who were going to the front with tears. It was said that in the data records kept by the record maker they were marked as "not to release due to inappropriate verse". Mr. Junichi Mitani of the Nippon Columbia was guessing that "it's unsuitable during wartime because it wasn't the song that could uplift fighting spirit. And there was also a possibility that the sale was checked". It was said that these two songs were recorded in a CD to be sold on the 29th this month (April).

It is an interesting discovery. It reflects the tight censorship in Japan during WWII.

福山雅治主持的「全夜日本」、来年３月結束

A few weeks ago the Asahi News on-line reported the following:

福山雅治のオールナイトニッポン、来年３月で終了

2014年12月7日01時25分

　飾らないトークで幅広い世代から支持を集めてきたニッポン放送の人気番組「福山雅治のオールナイトニッポンサタデースペシャル“魂のラジオ”」（土曜午後１１時半～）が、来年３月末をもって１５年続いた番組を終了することになった。６日深夜の番組で、福山さんが発表した。

　１９９２年１月に「福山雅治のオールナイトニッポン」が木曜の深夜放送枠でスタート。曜日や時間を変えながらも９８年まで続いた。さらに、２０００年３月から現在の番組が放送を開始。丸１５年を迎える来年３月２８日の放送を最後に、足かけ２３年にわたって続いてきたオールナイトニッポンのパーソナリティーを卒業する。

　福山さんは番組のエンディングで「ラジオの前のあなたに、とてもとても大切なお知らせがございます」と切り出し、番組終了をリスナーに報告。「冗談じゃないんです。本当なんです。今、急に言われてもびっくりしている方多いと思いますが、来週の生放送で改めてゆっくりお話しできればと思います」と話した。

　ニッポン放送によると、終了に至った経緯については、１２月１３日の放送で福山さん本人から語られるという。

(試譯文)

It was a popular program of the Nippon Broadcasting System: a simple talk-show that had support from all age groups, the "Masaharu Fukuyama's All-night Japanese Saturday Special ‘The soul of the radio’" (11:30pm Saturday starting) which had been continued for 15 years was drawing to a close by the end of March next year (2015). Mr. Fukuyama announced this in his program at late night on the 6^th (December).

  "All-night Japan of Masaharu Fukuyama" was broadcasted at late night on Thursday starting from January 1992. Although the day of the week and the time were changed, it continued up to 1998. The present program began broadcasting since March 2000. In March 28 next year (2015) the broadcasting would reach 15 years and its ending. Its foot-step had continued for 23 years and the personality of All-night Japan reached its graduation.

   Mr. Fukuyama, at the ending of his program, started to say that "I have very, very important news for you in front of the radio", and reported to listeners the ending of the program. He said that "It is no joke. It is true. I think there are a lot of surprised people when this is made known suddenly at this moment; I think I can say it slowly once more in next week's live broadcast".

   According to Nippon Broadcasting System, about the circumstances leading to the ending, it was said that this would be explained by Mr. Fukuyama himself personally in the broadcasting on December 13th.

Obviously Masaharu Fukuyama is a popular actor and singer in Japan.

「李香蘭」山口淑子９４歳逝世

Yesterday the Yomiuri News on-line reported the following:

元女優「李香蘭」山口淑子さん死去…９４歳

2014年09月14日 13時55分

　戦時中「李香蘭」の名で一世を風靡(ふうび)した元女優で、元参院議員の山口淑子（やまぐち・よしこ、本名・大鷹淑子＝おおたか・よしこ）さんが７日午前１０時４２分、心不全で亡くなった。９４歳だった。

　告別式は近親者で済ませた。

　父親が満鉄（南満州鉄道）の社員だったため、中国で育つ。１９３８年に満映（満州映画協会）の「蜜月快車」で映画デビュー。日本人であることをふせ、中国人の美人スター「李香蘭」として売り出された。３９年に「白蘭の歌」で長谷川一夫さんと共演、同じコンビで「支那の夜」、「熱砂の誓ひ」をヒットさせた。

　戦後は「漢奸（売国奴）」の疑いで軍事裁判にかけられたが、疑いが晴れて帰国。本名の山口淑子で４８年の「わが生涯のかがやける日」で映画にも本格復帰した。６９年からはテレビのワイドショー「３時のあなた」の司会を務め、中東での取材活動にも励んだ。

　７４年には参議院議員選挙に自民党から立候補し、当選。３回当選を果たし、党婦人局長などを務めた。９２年に政界から引退した後も、「女性のためのアジア平和国民基金」の副理事長などを歴任した。

　８７年には共著「李香蘭　私の半生」が話題になり、９１年には劇団四季による「ミュージカル李香蘭」が初演された。

(試譯文)

A former actress who had gained popularity by the name of "Li Xianglan" during the wartime period, a former Councilor, Ms. Yoshiko Yamaguchi (real name Yoshiko Otaka ), passed away due to heart failure at 10:42 a.m. on the 7th. She was 94 years old.

The farewell service was only for close relatives.

Because her father was an employee of the Man Tie (the South Manchuria Railway), she grew up in China. She made her debut in the movie "Honeymoon Express" of Man Ying (Manchuria Movie Association) in 1938. Hiding the fact that she was Japanese, she was advertised on the market as a Chinese beauty star "Li Xianglan". In 1939 she costarred with Mr. Kazuo Hasegawa in "The Song of the White Orchid"; the same pair also performed in "The Night of China" and "Vow of the Boiling Sand" which were made into hit.

Although taken to the military court on suspicion of being a "Hanjian (traitor)" after the war, the suspicion was cleared and she returned to the country. She also formally returned to the movie by the real name Yoshiko Yamaguchi in 1948 in "The day which my whole life can shine". From 1969, she acted as the chairman of a variety show the "You at 3:00" in the television, and also strove for news gathering activities in the Middle East.

In 1974 at a House of Councilors election she stood as a candidate and won for the Liberal Democratic Party. She was successful in the election for three times, and acted as the head of the Party’s Women's Bureau etc. Even after retiring from the political scene in 1992, she continuously held the vice president post etc. of the "Asian Women's Fund".

The book "Li Xianglan: half of my life" which she collaborated in writing in 1987 became the center of attention, and the "Li Xianglan in Musical" by Shiki Theatre Company was first performed in 1991.

Li Xianglan was a popular name in China in the 1940s. 

歌手加藤登紀子在大阪西成區義唱

Yesterday the Mainichi News on-line reported the following:

加藤登紀子さん:３１年ぶり釜ケ崎で熱唱…大阪・西成

毎日新聞　2014年08月16日　00時04分（最終更新　08月16日　00時32分）

　日本最大の日雇い労働者の街、大阪市西成区の釜ケ崎で１５日、地域恒例の「夏まつり」に歌手の加藤登紀子さん（７０）が、手弁当で初出演した。会場の通称「三角公園」で加藤さんは３１年前にコンサートを開いており、「生きているということを心底共有できる人たちの存在を、改めて感じた。来年もぜひ来たい」と話した。

　日雇い労働者や野宿者、単身高齢者らの支援者などでつくる実行委員会が、故郷と縁遠くなっている人たちに釜ケ崎に「ふるさと」を感じてもらおうと、１９７２年からお盆の時期に開いている。

　昨年１１月、野宿者の自立を支援する雑誌「ビッグイシュー」で加藤さんが「また釜ケ崎でコンサートを開きたい」と語っているのを、実行委のメンバーが目にした。事務所を通じて出演を打診すると快諾されたという。実行委の新井信芳さん（５２）は「貧困問題などについても発言する仲間として参加してほしかった」と話す。

　８３年７月に加藤さんは三角公園で弾き語りコンサートを開き、労働者の憩いの場建設のためのカンパを募ったことがある。「格好つけず真実味のある人たちに、歌が伝わるのを感じた」と振り返る。

　雨に見舞われたこの日、加藤さんは「百万本のバラ」「愛を耕すものたちよ」などを熱唱し、約１０００人の聴衆に「生きることってしんどいけど素晴らしい」と語りかけた。路上などで亡くなった身寄りのない人を悼む慰霊祭にも参加し、唱歌「ふるさと」を合唱した。【森田真潮】

(試譯文)

     In Osaka on the 15^th , in Kamagasaki of the Nishinari district that had the biggest day-laborer town in Japan, singer Ms. Tokiko Kato (70) for the first time without pay appeared in the "Summer Festival"; the festival was a local traditional practice. Mr. Kato had held a concert 31 years ago at a gathering location commonly known as the "Triangular Park". She said that “I feel again the presence of people who can genuinely share staying alive together. I very much would like to come again next year".

An executive committee formed by supporters of day-laborers, street sleepers and single elderly people etc. was trying to make those people who were far away from their hometown to have a feeling of "home" in Kamagasaki by organizing a gathering during the Bon Festival since 1972.

One executive committee member noticed that Ms. Kato was saying that "I would like to hold a concert in Kamagasaki again" in November last year in the magazine "Big issue" which supported street sleepers to become self-sufficient. It was said that she readily gave her consent when a performance suggestion was sounded out through her agent office. Mr. Nobuyoshi Arai (52) of the executive committee said that "I want her to participate as a friend to speak about the poverty problem also".

In July 1983 Ms. Kato held a play-string-and-sing concert in the Triangular Park and collected contributions for building a place for workers' relaxation. When looking back she had "a feeling that her songs have reached those people who are not good looking yet faithful”.

On that day the rain was hitting, Ms. Kato sang ardently "One million roses", "The things who cultivate love" etc., and spoke to an audience of about 1000 people, saying that "although life is difficult, it is wonderful". She also participated in a memorial service which mourned those who had passed away in the streets etc. without any relative. People sang the song "Home Village" together.

I have heard the songs of Ms. Tokiko Kato before. It is nice to note that she is still singing for the poor people.

宝塚歌劇団記念創立100周年

Yesterday the FNN News on-line reported the following:

宝塚歌劇団、創立100周年の記念式典　卒業生ら2,000人が集合

04/05 18:53

創立100周年を迎えた宝塚歌劇団が、記念式典を行い、卒業生など2,000人が大集合した。
2014年で創立100周年を迎えた宝塚歌劇団では、5日、記念式典が行われ、伝統の袴に身を包んだ、現役のトップスター5人の歌で幕を開けた。
宝塚歌劇団では、これまでに4,426人のタカラジェンヌが誕生していて、会場には、卒業生などおよそ2,000人が集まり、華やかな雰囲気に包まれた。
式典では、ピアニストの辻井伸行さんの演奏が披露されたほか、宇宙飛行士の若田光一さんからも、お祝いのメッセージが届けられた。
また、団員たち460人による「すみれの花咲く頃」の合唱や、100期生によるラインダンスも披露され、100周年を盛大に祝った。 (関西テレビ)

(試譯文)

The Takarazuka Revue Company held a commemorative ceremony to celebrate its 100th anniversary and 2,000 people, including graduates etc. formed a large gathering.

The Takarazuka Revue Company celebrated the 100th anniversary in 2014. In the commemorative ceremony on the 5^th, the curtain was opened with the singing by five top-name stars of active service, they were dressing the traditional hakama.

In Takarazuka Revue Company where 4,426 Takarajen'nu were born until now, about 2,000 people, such as graduates, gathered in a hall, and all immersed in an atmosphere of beauty.

At the ceremony, a performance by Mr. Nobuyuki Tsujii the pianist was announced, and also a message of congratulations was received from Mr. Koichi Wakata the astronaut.

Moreover, it was announced that a 460-member chorus would sing "When the violet flowers blossom" and also the 100th term students would perform the line dance. The centennial was celebrated on a grand scale.

(Kansai Television)

One hundred year is a long time for an entertainment company. It gives a chance to those girls who dream of performing on the stage.