Yasashii Kioku

The song 'Yasashii Kioku' by 22/7 delves into the ephemeral and often unreliable nature of memories. The lyrics paint a picture of a person reflecting on past experiences, particularly those that are tender and gentle, yet hazy and indistinct. The opening lines describe a flower blooming by a fence in a narrow schoolyard, a seemingly insignificant detail that the narrator had to look up in a plant encyclopedia. This sets the tone for the song, emphasizing how small, forgotten details can hold emotional significance.

The song explores the idea that forgetting can be convenient, as it allows one to move on from painful or embarrassing moments. The narrator mentions classmates who have disappeared from memory, suggesting that some things are better left forgotten. This is further reinforced by the chorus, which states that gentle memories are vague and won't hurt the narrator any further. The song suggests that sad events are often misunderstood or misremembered, and that it's okay to let go of the past.

As the song progresses, it touches on the fleeting nature of time and how memories can fade, much like the flowers in the narrator's heart that withered by autumn. The lyrics also ponder the value of truth in memories, questioning whether it's important to remember things accurately. The song concludes with the idea that the future is always an opportunity to overwrite the past, and that even the most insignificant details can hold meaning. Ultimately, 'Yasashii Kioku' is a poignant reflection on the delicate balance between remembering and forgetting, and the emotional weight that memories carry.