からくれなゐの影 || The Crimson Shadow

からくれなゐの影
karakurenai no kage
The Crimson Shadow

Vocals: めらみぽっぷ (Meramipop)
Lyrics: RD-Sounds
Arranged by: RD-Sounds
Album: 求 (Motome)
Circle: 凋叶棕 (Diao ye zong)
Event: Reitaisai 12 [RTS12]
Original theme: Unknown X ~ Unfound Adventure [アンノウンＸ　～ Unfound Adventure]

Requested by: Marisa Nya

I wouldn’t really call the language used in this song ‘classical Japanese,’ but it’s certainly a step above the others in terms of formality level. It’s like the lyrics chart a sort of majestic tale that’s been handed down through the ages. As the picture suggests, it’s about Reimu. She is, after all, ‘the crimson shadow.’

I think this is the last track from Motome to be translated, which is fitting since it’s the last track of the album. I like Hohuri’s final track more (seriously, I don’t think that track can ever be beaten), but I think this one is a nice finisher to a spectacular album.

[Also, there are quite a few instrumental tracks in this album. 水面よりソット・ヴォーチェ literally means ‘More Sotto Voce Than the Water’s Surface.’ Sotto voce is an Italian term used when a composer wants a particular section of music to be played in a whisper-like way. I’ve heard it described as a ‘stage whisper.’  統するに、その群の声をして is… a bit harder for me to translate – there’s probably a better translation out there! – but I’d go with something like ‘In Ruling, Assume the Voice of That Swarm.’ 群 (gun) literally means ‘group,’ but since it’s an arrangement of Wriggle’s theme, I think ‘Swarm’ is a bit more appropriate.]

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Unofficial translation/非公式の英訳

That figure, which you can see when you look up at the sky,
Hurries along. She hurries and comes this way, from beyond.

And from thousands of miles away,
Someone comes to challenge her today, as well.

The poets raise their voices.
The beggars, too, raise their voices.

Out of nowhere, she has come,
Though her name and figure are as yet unknown.

Aah, she appears this time as well, clothed in crimson.

Whether they be youkai showing off,
Or fairies that do not know their place,
Or truly fearsome foes, or this or that…

They compete with a diverse range of skills.
Those secrets, those mysteries – now, they echo sonorously…

Which talisman has been displayed? Which charm has been extolled? When they are counted…

Come now! That shadow dyes everything crimson…

As she felled her foes and fell countless times,
Once again, an unchanging tomorrow will come.

With that ‘meaning’ held tightly in their hands,
They come to challenge her, crying: “Gaze upon me! Gaze upon me!”

The crimson shadow heads towards a new challenger.
She crushes their ambitions of victory – their fleeting dreams.

She establishes the meaning of ‘herself,’
And she performs, demonstrating it through danmaku.

“This is my body! This is my spirit!”
This is what she cries, through her voiceless bullets voice.

Aah, it is so wonderful. It is like the taste of pre-established harmony.

Therefore, all illusions
Are waiting impatiently
So they, too, can someday make that voice rise to the heavens.

Their ‘meaning’ is nothing but instinct.
That meaning, those thoughts, remain so.

Which talisman is spoken? Which charm is proclaimed? When they pile up…

Come, now! This power is unquestionable. And in the sky that we live in…

She felled her foes and fell countless times,
So that, at last, an unchanging tomorrow would come.

Without caring whether they win or lose,
They cry: “Gaze upon me! Gaze upon me!”

The crimson shadow heads towards a new challenger.
She crushes their wicked plans – their vain dreams of splendour.

Surrounding the flying shrine maiden…
Now, they assemble! Those powerful foes become one with the crimson shadow.

That figure, which you can see when you look up at the sky,
Hurries along. She hurries and comes this way, from beyond.

And from thousands of miles away,
Someone comes to challenge her again today.

And now, they play – they play in illusions.
Nobody knows who will remain at the end…

They still, still live now.
“Gaze upon me! Gaze upon me!” They demand.

The crimson shadow heads to that infinite challenger.
An eternal dream. O humans! Now, crush everything!