Masterpieces that sing of beauty. Recommended popular songs.

Purple MonsoonUeda Chika + Karyobin

Chika Ueda 01 Purple Monsoon

In 1980, when she was still only 21, Chika Ueda played the piano and sang this piece together with KARYOBIN, a string quartet consisting of two violins, one viola, and one cello.

At the time, artists performing with such an ensemble were rare and drew attention.

She also displays a unique aesthetic sense, such as describing “wind” as the color of freshly picked grapes.

Flower ~Flowers in Everyone’s Heart~Lyrics and Composition: Kanō Shōkichi

"Flower" A flower in everyone's heart Rimi Natsukawa

It’s a warm, heartfelt song that, like the flow of a river, accepts both tears and smiles, and sings of making beautiful flowers bloom in our hearts.

Its somewhat nostalgic melody, rooted in Okinawan folk music, and its lyrics filled with an earnest prayer for peace resonate deeply with listeners.

Released in June 1980, the piece was also used as the ending theme for the 1995 film “Himeyuri no Tō” (The Tower of Himeyuri).

The fact that it is beloved in more than 60 countries speaks to the universality of its message.

It is a song that reminds us not to forget tragic history and teaches the importance of building a future without conflict.

Moon DropsRUI (Shibasaki Kou)

Tsukino Shizuku

A single released in 2003 under the name RUI by Kou Shibasaki.

It was the theme song for the film “Yomigaeri.” Along with its sound, the lyrics exude a dreamlike mood, and the words used—such as waning moon, water’s surface, ephemeral bubbles, and chorus of cicadas—are carefully chosen.

Virgo PalaceYamaguchi Momoe

Momoe Yamaguchi Virgo Palace

Momoe Yamaguchi, an idol who defined an era of the Showa period.

This is a single she released in 1978.

The protagonist in this song, with lyrics by Akiko Aki, is a Virgo.

Her lover is a Leo, and the two are carried along by the Galaxy Transcontinental Railway—a grand, delightfully whimsical, sparkling song.

Seeds of LifeKanno Yōko

Seeds of Life / Yoko Kanno

I think most people will recognize it as soon as they hear the song.

Yes, that commercial.

When you listen to the full version, it’s a very gentle and beautiful piece.

It has a catchy melody, but it also has a sense of expansiveness that really moves you.

Just like in the commercial, it’s the kind of song that fills your heart to the brim.

JupiterHirahara Ayaka

[LIVE] Yui Ibuki – Jupiter @ Umeda Street Live (Ayaka Hirahara Cover)

This is a piece by singer-songwriter Ayaka Hirahara, who took Gustav Holst’s work “The Planets — Jupiter” as a motif and set Japanese lyrics to it.

Blending elements such as miracles and prayer into the original work’s grand imagery, she has created a refined and beautiful song.

contrailArai Yumi

Contrail (Vapour Trail) – Yumi Arai (Yumi Matsutoya)

A work released during the period when Yuming still used the surname Arai.

It’s a beautiful piece that likens a contrail streaking across the blue sky to the soul of a child ascending to heaven.

Although the original release was in 1973, it became the theme song for Studio Ghibli’s film The Wind Rises in 2013 and has since become a classic, with numerous cover versions.