Tatsuya Kitani's song "青のすみか" (Ao no Sumika), known in English as "Where Our Blue Is," delves deeply into themes of unrequited love and the complex emotions arising from a relationship that has evolved over time. The song, rich in poetic imagery, captures the essence of longing and the poignant realization of emotional distance that has developed between two individuals who were once intimately close.
At the heart of the song is the profound sense of melancholy, encapsulated by the recurring theme of 'blue'. This color, often associated with both serenity and sadness, serves as a backdrop to the narrative, symbolizing the tranquility and the profound sense of loss felt by the narrator. This duality is introduced in the opening lines, painting a picture of a serene yet empty landscape, where the blue season stretches endlessly, symbolizing an unobstructed yet desolate emotional state.
As the lyrics progress, they reflect on the passage of time and its impact on the relationship. Phrases like "those days faded away" and "In the depths of eternity that left behind" speak to the enduring nature of memories and feelings, even as the physical connection between the individuals wanes. This temporal aspect highlights the inescapable reality of change and the lingering emotional resonance of what once was.
The chorus of the song is particularly poignant, expressing the narrator's deep, unspoken affection—a "silent love"—that remains unreciprocated. This unfulfilled longing is metaphorically described as colors of summer rolling down a cheek, suggesting tears and unvoiced pain. The imagery of words stuck in the throat further emphasizes the narrator's inability to express their complex feelings fully.
In later verses, the song reflects nostalgically on a time when the narrator and their loved one were inextricably linked, yet unremarkable in the grand scheme—"a portrait of us who were still nobody." This reflection is tinged with regret, as the narrator recognizes the growing differences between them, likening it to a curse that has become more pronounced over time.
The song culminates in a metaphor that compares their fleeting relationship to grains of stars in an endlessly expanding galaxy slipping through fingers—an evocative image that beautifully captures the ephemeral nature of their connection and the profound sense of loss that accompanies it.
"Where Our Blue Is" is a masterful exploration of unrequited love, longing, and the complexity of human emotions. Tatsuya Kitani employs rich poetic imagery to convey a narrative that is both deeply personal and universally relatable, resonating with anyone who has experienced the bittersweet nature of love and loss.
