I want to talk about "Niji" (Rainbow) too.

I read this article by Kohaxis-san.

Feeling the warmth of Kohaxis-san's emotion in the consideration given to every single word, various memories came back to me—memories of "Niji" and my time as a childcare worker that connects to it. On my way home, while listening to Niizawa-san's songs, I found myself walking through the twilight streets, tearing up all by myself. (I confess this in my next article, but I had also had a little to drink.)

I can vividly recall the clear voices of the children, but I first encountered "Niji" when I was in childcare training school. A teacher who had been a kindergarten principal would sing it with us, the budding childcare workers, every time before the lecture started.

I remember always holding back tears during the chorus. My feelings were so purified that I don't think I've ever felt so radiant.

It is an important song that allows me to become a child again.

After I became a childcare worker, I went to a lecture by Toshihiko Niizawa, who wrote the lyrics for "Niji." I was able to hear episodes from his time as a childcare worker, and he introduced many high-energy play songs. I remember it being so much fun.

The link below is an article I wrote on gooblog while raising my children, long after I had quit being a childcare worker, remembering that lecture. Looking back at it now, it's an article from June 2013, so it predates the birth of note (April 2014). I find it interesting myself that such a record remains.

I love this song called "Michikusa" (Walking on the Grass) because it is so gentle.

Yesterday, on my way home from work at twilight, I walked home listening to an album of Niizawa-san's songs for adults. It felt like listening to Masashi Sada or Shinji Tanimura—I don't know the details, but it had that kind of atmosphere. It was a very dramatic and nostalgic feeling.

I also went to a lecture by Nakagawa-san, who composed "Niji."
I believe I went to this as part of my son's kindergarten PTA.

Nakagawa-san was a very funny guy.
Apparently, he was the first male childcare worker in Japan.

In both Niizawa-san and Nakagawa-san, I saw an "unwavering love" and a "shadow" behind their fun and unpretentious nature. That's how it felt.

There are clouds, and because it rains, a rainbow appears. I feel they embodied the idea that the shadow parts are also important elements that express a person's depth.

When a rainbow appears, I feel incredibly happy.

It's easy to forget that a rainbow doesn't appear unless it rains, so rain isn't all bad, but I want to keep that in mind.

It makes me cry.

#WhatAreYouTalkingAbout

[Postscript]

I have decided to go and reclaim my life.

Thank you, Kohaksis-san!

<Bonus>

The article linked in Niizawa-san's post titled

"The relationship between poop and flies", as well as the ones just before it,
"On how to read picture books"
and "Nurturing senses: I think I'll graduate from saying 'clean up your room' as a parent too"

might be of some help to those currently raising children. If any of these catch your interest, please take a quick peek at them 😊