<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" standalone="yes"?><oembed><version><![CDATA[1.0]]></version><provider_name><![CDATA[Commonplace Fun Facts]]></provider_name><provider_url><![CDATA[http://commonplacefacts.com]]></provider_url><author_name><![CDATA[Commonplace Fun Facts]]></author_name><author_url><![CDATA[https://commonplacefacts.com/author/mthompson9691/]]></author_url><title><![CDATA[The Shortest National Anthem for One of the World’s Oldest&nbsp;Countries]]></title><type><![CDATA[link]]></type><html><![CDATA[
<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="10878" data-permalink="https://commonplacefacts.com/f8deb836-3030-464d-960a-0872710fa062/" data-orig-file="https://commonplacefacts.files.wordpress.com/2019/02/f8deb836-3030-464d-960a-0872710fa062.jpeg" data-orig-size="1800,924" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="Japan’s National Anthem" data-image-description="&lt;p&gt;Japan’s National Anthem Kimi ga Yo is only four lines long. It is the world’s shortest national anthem.&lt;/p&gt;
" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://commonplacefacts.files.wordpress.com/2019/02/f8deb836-3030-464d-960a-0872710fa062.jpeg?w=300" data-large-file="https://commonplacefacts.files.wordpress.com/2019/02/f8deb836-3030-464d-960a-0872710fa062.jpeg?w=1024" src="https://commonplacefacts.files.wordpress.com/2019/02/f8deb836-3030-464d-960a-0872710fa062.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-10878" width="706" height="361" srcset="https://commonplacefacts.files.wordpress.com/2019/02/f8deb836-3030-464d-960a-0872710fa062.jpeg?w=150 150w, https://commonplacefacts.files.wordpress.com/2019/02/f8deb836-3030-464d-960a-0872710fa062.jpeg?w=300 300w, https://commonplacefacts.files.wordpress.com/2019/02/f8deb836-3030-464d-960a-0872710fa062.jpeg?w=768 768w" sizes="(max-width: 706px) 100vw, 706px" /></figure></div>



<p>If you are the impatient type, who can’t wait for the national anthem to end so your favorite sporting event can begin, then <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://commonplacefacts.wordpress.com/tag/japan/" target="_blank">Japan</a> may be the place for you. It holds the distinction of having the shortest national anthem on record.</p>



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<figure class="wp-block-embed alignleft is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<span class="embed-youtube" style="text-align:center; display: block;"><iframe class="youtube-player" width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/29FFHC2D12Q?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent" allowfullscreen="true" style="border:0;" sandbox="allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation"></iframe></span>
</div><figcaption><em>Listen to and see the lyrics to “Kimi ga Yo” here</em>.</figcaption></figure>



<p>Officially referred to as “Kimi ga Yo,” the anthem of the Land of the Rising Sun is only four lines long. These lines consist of 32 characters and run for eleven measures.</p>



<p>Not only is “Kimi ga Yo” the world’s shortest national anthem, but it is also one of the oldest. The origin can be traced to a poem written sometime in the Heinz period, between the years A.D. 794 and 1185.</p>



<p>The title translates in English to “His Imperial Majesty&#8217;s Reign.” Its lyrics, in English are:</p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote has-text-align-center is-style-large"><p><em>May your reign</em></p><p><em>Continue for a thousand, eight thousand generations </em></p><p><em>Until the pebbles</em></p><p><em>Grow into boulders lush with moss.</em></p><p></p></blockquote>



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