The death of Yukiko Okada seemed to come suddenly.
On April 8, 1986, she threw herself from the roof of her office, which stood at the intersection of Yotsuya 3-chome.
Thirty-five years have passed since then.
My birthday was April 3rd, 4th, and 5th, which was my friend’s birthday, so it was a big accident that happened right after that. The death of the idol singer shocked young people at that time, and some of them followed her.
I could not say that I was a fan of hers, but I felt that I was not a stranger to her.
The photo of the Yotsuya 3-chome intersection right after she jumped off the building is burned into my mind and will never leave. Of course, it is not her in the picture. It was taken after the accident had been dealt with, but traces of it were left on the road.
The death of this successful idol singer, who was often called the second Seiko Matsuda, had taken place in real life.
I felt the same kind of shock as I did when I lost a friend in high school. I learned once again that death is just around the corner, and while we can live as long as the balance between life and death is maintained, there is a moment when that balance is suddenly broken. People are tempted to die. Her death upset the balance between life and death for many young people who had spent their daily lives suffering from many problems, and some were even tempted to die.
Not being a fan, I was unable to act for a while after that. I bought all the records and as many photo albums as I could afford. I wanted to know why she was gone. I felt that there was a darkness hidden in the seemingly happy world of idols.
I felt that perhaps she did not die alone, but I think it is better not to mention it anymore.
I read that she was from Aichi Prefecture and was brilliant enough to pursue medical school, but the path she chose was that of an idol singer. She realized her dream, but I don’t know if it was a good one or not. No one will ever know.
I went to Yotsuya 3-chome several times. Not just a few times. I went there many times. When I was in Tokyo, I always went there on April 8th.
There were many bouquets of flowers, and there were many people who secretly loved her. Every year, the bouquets seemed to get fewer and fewer, but they never disappeared.
And on twitter today, there are many tweets being circulated. If you search for #OkadaYukiko, you will find that everyone feels this day is a special day.
I’m sure that many bouquets of flowers have been placed at Yotsuya 3-chome. I am also sure that many people are visiting the graves in Aichi Prefecture, even though it is a corona disaster.
That day, April 8, 35 years ago, will never go away.
The song I liked the most was called “Fairy in the Forest”. I think it was on an album, not a single.
She will always be a fairy of the forest, “Koisuru Fairy”, and will continue to give us courage and hope.
Words and music by Tetsuro Kashibuchi
Spread out your green sheets in the shade of the forest
Let’s go to sleep, it’s a secret, a door to the land of dreams
Let’s open it, secretly, Rosy Fantasia.
translated by me
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