Anti-war songs that pierce the heart: Japan’s masterpieces conveying prayers for peace
Music sometimes has the power to move people’s hearts and exert a great influence on society.
Among such works, anti-war songs imbued with wishes for peace have appealed across generations, conveying both the horrors of war and the preciousness of peace to many.
The anti-war songs etched into Japan’s musical history contain profound messages that we who live today must never forget.
In this article, we highlight Japanese anti-war songs—focusing mainly on popular Japanese music—and explain the backgrounds of the tracks and the sentiments embedded in their lyrics.
We invite you to take this opportunity to reflect anew on war and peace.
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Anti-war songs that pierce the heart: Prayers for peace conveyed by Japan’s masterpieces (21–30)
Hiroshima, River of LoveSakushi: Nakazawa Keiji sakushi / Sakkyoku: Yamamoto Katsuhiko
This is a solemn prayer song born from the only poem left by Keiji Nakazawa, the creator of the manga Barefoot Gen.
You can almost see the scene of countless lights floating on the flow of Hiroshima’s rivers, entrusted with the sorrow of the atomic bombing and hopes for the future.
Released in June 2014, this piece has been cherished as a symbol of peace, sung every year at Hiroshima’s peace events on August 6, the anniversary of the bombing.
It’s a song to listen to when you want to quietly honor the memories etched in history and reflect anew on the preciousness of peace.
1985THE BLUE HEARTS
This is a song by the legendary rock band THE BLUE HEARTS.
It’s included on their best-of album “SUPER BEST,” released in 1995.
As the title suggests, it’s a punk rock tune that puts into lyrics exactly what they felt back in 1985, conveying a genuine, straightforward emotion.
Japan, a country with a past of having lost a war…
Many listeners may resonate with its message, which contemplates the nation’s future.
Why not turn up the volume and give it a listen?
Antiwar Songs That Pierce the Heart: Prayers for Peace Conveyed by Japan’s Masterpieces (31–40)
What A Wonderful WorldLouis Armstrong
This song, What a Wonderful World, became famous through Louis Armstrong’s performance.
The lyrics and music were written by G.
Douglas and George David Weiss.
It is said that they wrote the song lamenting the Vietnam War and dreaming of a peaceful world.
Since then, it has been covered by many artists up to the present day.
It’s also often used in TV commercials, so many of you may be familiar with it.
Nightjar’s DreamDo As Infinity
A song by the male-female duo Do As Infinity.
“Yotaka” refers to the U.S.
Air Force’s Nighthawk, which was actually used in conflicts such as the Gulf War.
Sung from a soldier’s perspective, the song portrays the torment of asking oneself, “Is it acceptable to take human lives for a nation to win?”—and it can move you to tears as you listen.
Tomiko Van’s powerful vocals make this a masterpiece that deepens anti-war awareness, so if you’re interested, be sure to give it a listen.
One more milerēzun
The lyrics, which speak of the futility and sorrow of war, are enough to make you cry just by reading them.
It’s a song by Raisin, the folk duo of singer-songwriters Masashi Sada and Masami Yoshida, included on their 1991 album “About Those Days – Season of Raisin.” The content, expressing feelings for a lover who was killed in the war, pierces the heart.
It’s an anti-war song that makes you feel, “We must never let something like this happen again.”
Imjin RiverThe Folk Crusaders
A cover song by The Folk Crusaders, released in 1968 and immediately pulled from sale.
The song is about North and South Korea, and its lyrics raised concerns, leading to a sales ban for political reasons.
Why not take this song’s story and lyrics as a starting point to reflect on this issue?
Blowin’ In The WindBob Dylan
The folk classic “Blowin’ in the Wind” is one of Bob Dylan’s signature songs and was a huge hit in the 1960s.
While its familiar, appealing melody is a major draw, parts of the lyrics depict the tragic realities brought about by war.
Much of the song is written as questions posed to the listener, prompting us to reconsider how war can be ended and a peaceful world achieved.
One of the song’s charms is that it doesn’t simply deliver a one-sided antiwar message.
