David Sylvian – Forbidden Colours

Song MeaningForbidden Colours was, as noted, a war film. Specifically, one about the relationship between a young prison camp commander and a particular Australian prisoner who exerts a deep fascination upon him.

The japanese word for colour is jiki, but it also denotes erotic love. Compounded with the modifier 'kin' meaning ilicit, you get kinjiki, which can be translated either as Forbidden Colours, or equally well was Forbidden Sexuality - in it's latter sense the word is used as a euphemism for homosexuality.

In other words, the homoerotic subtext of both film and these lyrics isn't exactly hidden.

Possible spoilers for 'Merry Christmas, Mr Lawrence' follow:

In the film, Captain Yonoi is ocnstrained by strict rules of bushido honor code and ultranationalist militarism from acknowledging his attraction to Jack Celliers. Ultimately this tension leads to his nervous collapse, and the cruel execution of Celliers.

Characters on the sidelines of this confrontation, Hara and Lawrence, meet again after the war and are able to establish for a moment the communication that failed between the two leads (and their cultures). The simple wish of 'Merry Christmas' is the first indication ofn the possibility of forgiveness and understanding between them.

Then song lyrics introduce a second theme of Christian faith to this context, adding a further dimension to the examination of the many cultural barriers around kinjiki.

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  @Raphe
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  Wonderfully well explained. JpnGht's comment. 'sometimes how impossible love is' is still concisely apposite. Thank you.
  
  May Love come to you easily.

  Flag NickyJPooleon July 14, 2011  

General CommentPerhaps about how love is impossible sometimes.

Beautiful song.

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  @JpnGht

General CommentThe song was originally written by Ryuichi Sakamoto for the 'Merry Xmas Mr Lawerence' soundtrack. It is during World War 2. To me this song is about the patriotism for one's country. In particular about the responsibilities and emotions that are asked from a soldier when he goes off and fights. When a soldier kills in the name of love and family, he gives his blood for his country and sheds blood in its name. So much senseless killing and violence, and for what? It's about the simple act of trying to love after witnessing and committing so many atrocities.

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  @Lord Hellskank

General CommentCannot believe only two people have commented on this song...
It's beautiful

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  @Musiikholiik
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  its based round the ideas in the movie..
  
  The taboo of homosexuality, especially harsh in an otherwise ultranationalist and traditional environment, is suggested throughout the film. A Korean soldier is condemned to commit seppuku after being caught in an "improper" relationship with one of the Dutch prisoners. As the execution is carried out, the Dutch prisoner, who is forced to watch it along with the rest of the prisoners and the Japanese officials as well, bites his tongue and then dies of suffocation himself.
  
  As Celliers is interned in the camp, Yonoi seems to develop a homoerotic fixation with him, often asking about him to Hara, silently visiting him in the small hours when Celliers is confined and, later on, buried in the ground up to his neck as a means of punishment.
  
  As the allies approach the camp, all prisoners are prompted to form outside the barracks, including sick and moribund ones. The climax of the film is reached by then, when Celliers breaks the rank and walks decidedly in Yonoi's direction, only to end up resolutely kissing him in the cheek with a straight face. This is an unbearable offense to Yonoi's bushido honor code; he reaches out for his katana against Celliers, only to collapse under the conflicting feelings of vindicating himself from the offense suffered in front of his troops and his own feelings for Celliers, who is subsequently sentenced to death. Captain Yonoi himself is redeployed.

  Flag kiwicanoon August 27, 2009  

General Comment"I`ll go walking in circles while doubting the very ground beneath me"
Don't know about you guys, but I think David Sylvian has the sexiest voice EVER
so...dreamy.....

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  @maiabee

General CommentThis is my fav song but I've never really understood what the lyrics mean. I guess their poetically ambiguous flavour could be summed up thus: men must fight against their true feelings in an attempt to remain loyal to their principles or someone else's principles be they religious, political, military or whatever. whether to attain power or simply survive. And the patriarchal bullies in charge enforce this division on men by insisting that they identify with their cause, their will, their stupid crimes and blood-ridden curses, particularly as soldiers but now also as fodder for corporations.

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  @DiamondHead
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  @DiamondHead And love, both romantic and erotic, can be taboo, closeted, clandestine, curtailed.

  Flag DiamondHeadon July 19, 2015