Recipe of Tears & A Spoonful of Light

Happy New Year 2026!

Well, I’m uploading this post when it’s still 10 pm in the Netherlands, so technically it’s not New Year yet here. However, my blog is in AEST, hence it’s already New Year in Australia… So Happy New Year!

I thought it would take me longer to post the lyrics of the Ōdanna-Aoi duet, but apparently the Goddess of Love (or the God of Learning, or both) is with me, hence I’ve finished it. I thought it would be a nice New Year present for all of us if I can post it now, hence this post. After all, I sort of ended 2025 with some grievance, so I thought, starting 2026 with love is needed.

Actually, the Ōdanna-Aoi duet consists of two songs, i.e., Namida no Recipe (Recipe of Tears – or Recipe for Tears, depending on how you see it) and Hitosaji no Hikari (A Spoonful of Light). Thus, I decide to translate both songs individually before translating the duet. The three songs are really, really beautiful songs, hence I’m glad I made the efforts. I hope you love them too. 

In fact, the entire OST by Iga Takurō are amazing. You can get the songs from Spotify, Apple Music, iTunes Store, etc. Check Flying Dog’s website for the links. I left the Japanese lyrics separated the way it would be sung, but at times, I combined the English translations to make it easier to read. Enjoy!

S1 Ōdanna inserting the hairpin into Aoi's hairdo (very strong drawing with such personality...)

Namida no Recipe  (Recipe of Tears)

どうしよう　君が今　(dou shiyou, kimi ga ima)

ひとりぼっちで泣いていたら (hitori bocchi de naiteitara)

Oh no, what should I do? You’re now crying on your own

ああ　疲れた夜　君がくれた (aa, tsukareta yoru kimi ga kureta)

思い出は甘くて香るレシピ (omoidewa amakute kaoru reshipi)

Ah… on tired nights, the memories you gave me are a sweet and fragrant recipe

痛みは湯がいてしまいましょう (itami wa yugaite shimaimashou)

Let’s soak the pain away

不安は炒めてしまいましょう(fuan wa itamete shimaimashou)

Let’s stir-fry the worries away

幸せになるために生きているんだから (shiawase ni naru tameni ikiteirundakara)

Because you live to be happy

ほら　もう怖くないよ (hora mou kowakunai yo)

See? Don’t be afraid 

ああ  息をするように (aa, iki wo suru youni)

Ah… like breathing 

ああ  隣にいさせて (aa, tonari ni isasete)

Ah… let me be by your side

抱き締めるみたいに ああ (dakishimeru mitaini, aa)

Like hugging you

君の名前呼ばせて (kimi no namae yobasete)

Let me call your name

This scene always reminds me how much Ōdanna-sama cares for Aoi...

Hitosaji no Hikari (A Spoonful of Light)

一口目は涙の味がした (hitokuchi me wa namida no aji ga shita)

The first bite tasted like tears

二口目は懐かしい味がした (futakuchi me wa natsukashii aji ga shita)

The second bite tasted nostalgic

隠してきた　言えなかった (kakushitekita ienakatta)

大切な思い出は苦くて香るレシピ (taisetsuna omoide wa nigakute kaoru reshipi)

The bitter yet fragrant recipe of the hidden, unspeakable, yet important memories

Bridge:

この痛みが柔らかくなるまで (kono itami ga yawarakaku naru made)

Until this pain mellows down 

この不安が飴色になるまで (kono fuan ga ameiro ni naru made)

Until this worry turns amber-coloured

君はどれだけ優しさくれてたの (kimi wa dore dake yasashisa kureteta no)

How much kindness are you giving me?

ありがとう、ありがとう (arigatou, arigatou)

（ありがとう）(arigatou)

Thank you, thank you, thank you

Ref:

空っぽになるまで掬っていいかな (karappo ni naru made sukutte ii ka na)

Can you ladle it out until it’s empty?

君のくれたひと匙の光  (kimi no kureta hitosaji no hikari)

The spoonful of light you gave me

一滴残らずさらっていいかな (itteki nokorazu saratte ii ka na)

Can you wash it away until no more drop remains?

君の傍でさらっていいかな (kimi no soba de saratte ii ka na) 

Can I sweep you away so that I can stay by your side?

(instrumental)

ひとかけらの優しさを忘れずに (hitokakera no yasashisa wo wasurezuni)

I won’t forget that one piece of kindness

二人並んで陽だまりで遊びたい (futari narande hidamari de asobitai)

I want to play in the sun by your side 

隠したかった　言えなかった　昔話  (kakushitakatta ienakatta mukashibanashi)

That hidden, unspeakable, past story of mine

今なら言えるよ　怖くないよ (ima nara ieru yo kuwakunai yo)

I can tell you now, so please don’t be afraid

遠く遠く飛んでる鳥たちも (tōku tōku tonderu toritachi mo)

Even birds who are flying far away

きっと何かを探している (kitto nani ka wo sagashiteiru)

Surely have something to look for

君と僕も見つけられるかな (kimi to boku mo mitsukerareru ka na)

Can you and I find that something too?

奇跡じゃない共にいる理由 (kiseki janai tomo ni iru riyū)

The reason we’re together is not a miracle

Bridge:

ね、何処にようとも　何をしていても  (ne, doko ni you tomo, nani wo shiteite mo)

Hey, wherever you are, whatever you do

心の中から君が消えることはないでしょう (kokoro no naka kara kimi ga kieru koto wa nai deshou)

You will always be in my heart

(instrumental)

空っぽになるまで縋っていいかな (karappo ni naru made sugatte ii ka na)

君のくれたひと匙の光  (kimi no kureta hitosaji no hikari)

Can I cling onto you until the spoonful of light you gave me is empty?

いつかは僕も救っていいかな (itsuka wa boku mo sukutte ii ka na)

Will there be a time for me to come to the rescue?

君のことを救っていいかな (kimi no koto wo sukutte ii ka na)

Can I rescue you?

好きなものさえ (sukina mono sae)

美味しくない日もある (oishikunai hi mo aru)

There are days when your favourite food doesn’t even taste good

笑っていたいのに (waratteitai no ni)

笑えない日もある (waraenai hi mo aru)

There are days when you can’t laugh though you want to

それでも信じて (sore de mo shinjite)

However, please believe me

この心は君の　君の幸せを　(kono kokoro wa kimi no kimi no shiawase wo)

願ってるんだよ (negatterunda yo)

This heart belongs to you, and I will always pray for your happiness 

ああ、今日も涙と光　ひと匙のレシピ (aa, kyou mo namida to hikari hitosaji no reshipi)

Ah, even today, a spoonful of recipe of tears and light

Namida no Recipe & Hitosaji no Hikari

Konishi Katsuyuki (Ōdanna-sama) & Tōyama Nao (Tsubaki Aoi)

Note: 

During duet with different lyrics, the first line is sung by Konishi Katsuyuki (Ōdanna-sama) while the second line is sung by Tōyama Nao (Tsubaki Aoi)

（津場木葵）Tsubaki Aoi

どうしよう　君が今　(dou shiyou, kimi ga ima)

ひとりぼっちで泣いていたら (hitori bocchi de naiteitara)

Oh no, what should I do? You’re now crying on your own

（大旦那様）Ōdanna-sama

隠してきた　言えなかった (kakushitekita ienakatta)

大切な思い出は苦くて香るレシピ (taisetsuna omoide wa nigakute kaoru reshipi)

The bitter yet fragrant recipe of the hidden, unspeakable, yet important memories

この痛みが柔らかくなるまで (kono itami ga yawarakaku naru made)

Until this pain mellows down 

痛みは湯がいてしまいましょう (itami wa yugaite shimaimashou)

Let’s soak the pain away

この不安が飴色になるまで (kono fuan ga ameiro ni naru made)

Until this worry turns amber-coloured

不安は炒めてしまいましょう(fuan wa itamete shimaimashou)

Let’s stir-fry the worries away

君はどれだけ優しさくれてたの (kimi wa dore dake yasashisa kureteta no)

How much kindness are you giving me?

幸せになるために生きているんだから (shiawase ni naru tameni ikiteirundakara)

Because you live to be happy

ありがとう、ありがとう (arigatou, arigatou)

Thank you, thank you

ほら　もう怖くないよ (hora mou kowakunai yo)

See? Don’t be afraid 

Ref (Ōdanna & Aoi):

空っぽになるまで掬っていいかな (karappo ni naru made sukutte ii ka na)

Can you ladle it out until it’s empty?

ああ  息をするように (aa, iki wo suru youni)

Ah… like breathing

君のくれたひと匙の光  (kimi no kureta hitosaji no hikari)

(until) the spoonful of light you gave me (is empty)

ああ  隣にいさせて (aa, tonari ni isasete)

Ah… let me be by your side

一滴残らずさらっていいかな (itteki nokorazu saratte ii ka na)

Can you wash it away until no more drop remains?

抱き締めるみたいに ああ (dakishimeru mitaini, aa)

Like hugging you

君の傍でさらっていいかな (kimi no soba de saratte ii ka na) 

Can I sweep you away so that I can stay by your side?

君の名前呼ばせて (kimi no namae yobasete)

Let me call your name

（大旦那様）Ōdanna-sama

ひとかけらの優しさを忘れずに (hitokakera no yasashisa wo wasurezuni)

I won’t forget that one piece of kindness

二人並んで陽だまりで遊びたい (futari narande hidamari de asobitai)

I want to play in the sun by your side 

（津場木葵）Tsubaki Aoi

疲れた夜こそ返したい (tsukareta yoru koso kaeshitai)

染み込んだ想い滲む　“ありがとう” (shimikonda omoi nijimu “arigatō”)

Even when I’m tired at night, I want to keep returning to you my deep gratitude

Ref (Ōdanna & Aoi):

遠く遠く飛んでる鳥たちも (tōku tōku tonderu toritachi mo)

Even birds who are flying far away

透明すぎる空をかきわけて (tōmei sugiru sora wo kakiwakete)

Pushing aside the extremely translucent sky 

きっと何かを探している (kitto nani ka wo sagashiteiru)

Surely have something to look for

朝日が世界暖かく染め上げていく (asahi ga sekai atatakaku someagate iku)

The morning sun paints the world a warm colour

君と僕も見つけられるかな (kimi to boku mo mitsukerareru ka na)

Can you and I find that something too?

君と生きるため今日も住んでるんだから (kimi to ikiru tame kyou mo sunderundakara)

I’m still alive today to live my life with you

奇跡じゃない共にいる理由 (kiseki janai tomo ni iru riyū)

The reason we’re together is not a miracle

どうか幸せになれ (douka, shiawase ni nare)

Please be happy

Bridge (duet):

ね、何処にようとも　何をしていても  (ne, doko ni you tomo, nani wo shiteite mo)

Hey, wherever you are, whatever you do

心の中から君が消えることはないでしょう (kokoro no naka kara kimi ga kieru koto wa nai deshou)

You will always be in my heart

(instrumental)

空っぽになるまで縋っていいかな (karappo ni naru made sugatte ii ka na)

Can I cling onto you until empty?

ああ　長い夜もある (aa, nagai yoru mo aru)

Ah, there are also long nights

君のくれたひと匙の光  (kimi no kureta hitosaji no hikari)

(until) The spoonful of light you gave me (is empty)

ああ重い朝もある (aa, omoi asa mo aru)

Ah, there are also heavy mornings

いつかは僕も救っていいかな (itsuka wa boku mo sukutte ii ka na)

Will there be a time for me to come to the rescue?

暗い昼　雨の夕焼け　ああ (kurai hiru, ame no yūyake, aa)

The dark daylight, the rainy red sunset, aaah…

君のことを救っていいかな (kimi no koto wo sukutte ii ka na)

Can I rescue you?

君と生きていたいな (kimi to ikiteitai na)

I want to live my life with you

Ref (duet):

好きなものさえ (sukina mono sae)

美味しくない日もある (oishikunai hi mo aru)

There are days when your favourite food doesn’t even taste good

笑っていたいのに (waratteitai no ni)

笑えない日もある (waraenai hi mo aru)

There are days when you can’t laugh though you want to

それでも信じて (sore de mo shinjite)

However, please believe me

この心は君の　君の幸せを　(kono kokoro wa kimi no,  kimi no shiawase wo)

願ってるんだよ (negatterunda yo)

This heart belongs to you, and I will always pray for your happiness 

ああ、今日も涙と光　ひと匙のレシピ (aa, kyou mo namida to hikari hitosaji no reshipi)

Ah, even today, a spoonful of recipe of tears and light