"Yukigasa" (雪傘, lit. "Snow Umbrella") is a song recorded by Japanese singer Shizuka Kudo. It was released as a double A-side single alongside "Night Wing" by Pony Canyon on November 5, 2008.[1]
Background and composition
"Yukigasa" is Kudo's first single to be released as a double A-side, with "Night Wing". The 1998 B-side "In the Sky", from the single "Kirara", was treated as an A-side, but never officially released as such. "Yukigasa", as well as "Night Wing", was written and composed by Miyuki Nakajima,[2] and arranged by Ichizō Seo.[3] The single marks Kudo's first collaboration with Nakajima in two years, since "Clāvis (Kagi)". It is described as a "feminine" ballad.[4] Lyrically, the song tells a winter love story of a woman finally finding someone to spend her birthday with. The song is composed in the key of C minor and Kudo's vocals span from G3 to B♭4 in modal voice, and up to C5 in head voice.
Chart performance
"Yukigasa" debuted at number 75 on the Oricon Singles Chart, with 1,000 copies sold.[5] The single charted for two weeks and sold a total of 2,000 copies.[6] It also charted on Billboard Japan's Top Single Sales chart, on which it peaked at number 88.[7]
Cover version
In 2010, Nakajima recorded a cover of "Yukigasa" as a bonus track for her album, Mayonaka no Dōbutsuen.[8]
