The Flower of Carnage

The song 'The Flower of Carnage' by Meiko Kaji, which is part of the soundtrack for the film 'Lady Snowblood,' is a hauntingly beautiful piece that conveys a deep sense of sorrow and resignation. The lyrics, sung in Japanese, paint a picture of a woman who has embraced her dark path of vengeance, symbolized by the 'snake-eyed' umbrella she carries—a traditional Japanese umbrella with a design resembling a snake's eye. The umbrella, a solitary figure against the snow, represents her isolation and the singular focus of her journey.

The imagery of the falling snow in the morning and the howling of a stray dog sets a melancholic tone, suggesting a world that is cold and unforgiving. The woman's journey is marked by loss and detachment, as indicated by the lyrics that speak of tears being left far behind and emotions discarded. The repeated act of 'throwing away' signifies a deliberate choice to abandon any semblance of a normal life for the sake of revenge.

The song's refrain about the 'path of resentment' the woman walks, and her surrender to the 'river of grudges,' underscores the theme of inescapable fate and the cyclical nature of vengeance. The lyrics evoke traditional Japanese values of duty and emotion, but also the futility of holding onto them in the face of her consuming quest. The song, therefore, becomes a poignant reflection on the cost of revenge and the tragic beauty of a life dedicated to this singular purpose.