Yoshitaiyo

A tribute song for my beloved grandfather and grandmother.

At the foot of Mt. Hakusan-one of Japan's three sacred mountains, towering over Hakusan City in Ishikawa Prefecture-lies the village of Shiramine, where my grandparents spent their lives.

With both of my parents working, I was often cared for by them as the youngest of four siblings, and I spent countless precious moments by their side.

No matter how old I became, or how much I grew, in their eyes I was always their little grandson.

"Yoshitaiyo" is a word from the Shiramine dialect that carries the meaning of "Thank you" and "You've always been so good to me."

This song is woven from the many words they gave me throughout my life.

I hope these words, and this melody, find their way to them.