Japanese lyricist sings Wuxi's praises

In a world where the pursuit of wealth and status often takes precedence, Kawakami Sadao, a retired Japanese businessman known as Zhang Yi within Chinese circles, shines as a beacon of a different ethos. At 78 years old, he has chosen a path less trodden, prioritizing spiritual enrichment over material wealth.

Over the past four years, Kawakami has delved into a passion that set his soul ablaze — writing Chinese lyrics. Despite relying on a modest pension, he has poured his heart and resources to create over 30 songs that have captured the hearts of hundreds of thousands online in China.

"In my late 70s, I've come to realize that material pursuits hold little allure for me," the Japanese lyricist shared in a recent interview with China Daily. "In the time I have left, I want to indulge in what I love, even if it means living a more humble existence."

Many of Kawakami's lyrical works weave stories of Wuxi, Jiangsu province, a place he referred to as his "second home". In 1988, Kawakami was dispatched to work in Dalian, Liaoning province, by a Japanese corporation, and he relocated to Wuxi in 1997, where he spent almost 23 years before returning to his hometown of Hiroshima in 2019.

It was in 2020, a year after leaving Wuxi, that Kawakami embarked on his lyrical journey, inspired by his Japanese friends' love for Chinese music and his deep-rooted affection for the city. Upon his return to Japan, Kawakami actively participated in local song gatherings, where he often performed popular Japanese songs like Love Story in Wuxi — a hit that drew many young Japanese to the city in the 1980s, and a couple of Chinese folk songs.

Singing the songs during his time away from Wuxi amplified his yearning for the city. In his words, crafting songs became a way to express his emotions, "akin to how Tang Dynasty (618-907) poet Li Bai conveyed his feelings through poetry".

His earlier studies in history at Chongqing Normal College (now Chongqing Normal University), complemented by his enduring commitment to writing Chinese poetry, prose, and novels, with numerous publications under his belt, have paved the way for his lyric writing.

For Kawakami, lyrics are a form of poetry, both requiring the heartfelt expression of emotions and reflecting the art of real life. "Having lived and worked in Wuxi for 23 years and being a foreigner influenced by diverse cultures, I observe everything in the city with keen interest and freshness," he explains. "What may appear ordinary to locals strikes me as the most beautiful and poignant things in the world."

Kawakami's unique perspective on everyday occurrence is mirrored in his lyrics, resonating with listeners. Xu Ruilan, former director of the culture and art club of the Wuxi Association of Foreign Invested Enterprises, commended his compositions for blending a distinct foreign viewpoint with familiar Chinese elements.

One of his compositions, Enchanting Cherry Blossom Season on Earth, captures the essence of Wuxi's cherry blossom season. Speaking about the piece, Kawakami says that when Japanese people see cherry blossoms in China, it evokes a deep warmth, much like the feelings experienced by Chinese people when encountering pandas in Japan. "As a lyricist, I aim to depict not just the visual beauty of cherry blossoms but also elevate it to a humanistic beauty that transcends borders and nationalities."

His dedication and talent have not gone unnoticed, garnering him multiple accolades, including two gold and several silver awards at a Chinese lyrics and music competition, alongside praise from peers in the music industry.

Composer Zhang Zhishen from Harbin, Heilongjiang province, reflects on his collaboration with Kawakami: "My multiple visits to Wuxi have sparked a deep affection for the city. The appreciation shared by Kawakami and myself for the beauty of Wuxi has truly enriched the depth of our partnership."

Another collaborator, Yang Hong from Wuxi, attributes the swift rise in popularity of many of their released songs to Kawakami's reverence for Chinese literature. "His admiration for Chinese culture is evident in his relentless efforts, which have not only led to the creation and publication of many literary works in Chinese but also enriched his lyrics, enabling him to convey profound emotions and cultural insights in his songs."

Yang points out that Kawakami's creations go beyond mere songs. "His Japanese heritage and his capability to blend Chinese and Japanese cultures in his work offer a fresh outlook on cultural exchange, nurturing mutual understanding and appreciation between the two nations," she adds.

Both Chinese composers wrote music to go with Kawakami's lyrics free of charge.

Looking to the future, Kawakami envisions a continued journey of musical exploration, with the aim of touching the hearts of even more listeners in China. He talks of plans to enlist Japanese singers to perform his compositions, aspiring to "have a similar impact as Love Story in Wuxi did, using music to introduce Wuxi to a wider audience".

Zhao Guangmei and Xiang Wenjian contributed to this story.