Iconic Songs to Enhance Calligraphy Performances: From Traditional Japanese Tunes to the Latest Hits!
Calligraphy performances are highly regarded not only for the finished work, but also for the process of creation as a part of art and entertainment.
Many of you may have seen them on social media or video platforms and been captivated by their power and beauty.
Calligraphy is familiar to us Japanese as well.
Some of you might secretly be thinking, “I want to try a calligraphy performance myself.”
In this article, we’ve picked out songs that are perfect for calligraphy performances.
Whether you already perform calligraphy or simply admire it, please listen while imagining yourself freely wielding the brush!
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Masterpieces to Illuminate Shodo Performances | A One-Stop Showcase from Traditional Japanese Tunes to the Newest Songs (1–10)
A Cheer Song Dedicated to YouHIPPY
A moving song filled with a warm message of encouragement for those striving toward their dreams and goals.
Created by HIPPY, an artist based in Hiroshima, and released in March 2017, it’s included on the album “HomeBase ~Arigatou~” and has been used as pitcher Tatsuya Takahashi’s entrance theme for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp, among others.
Widely known as a cheer song often heard at school events like sports festivals and graduation ceremonies, as well as at athletic competitions, this piece is beloved by many as a song that gives you a push in important moments—and it pairs exceptionally well with calligraphy performances.
flameLiSA
LiSA’s grand ballad, released as the theme song for the film Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Mugen Train, powerfully sings of the strength to move forward after overcoming sorrow.
Released in October 2020, the song topped Billboard Japan’s Japan Hot 100 for four consecutive weeks.
In December of the same year, it won the 62nd Japan Record Award, leaving a significant mark on the music scene.
Closely aligned with the film’s worldview and expressing a strong hope for the future, this piece also makes an excellent BGM choice for calligraphy performances.
It’s recommended for those who want to convey both the boldness and delicacy of brushwork.
SenbonzakuraWagakki Band
A song by Wagakki Band, an eight-member co-ed group whose innovative rock sound fused with traditional Japanese instruments has gained popularity both in Japan and abroad.
Originally a smash-hit Vocaloid track by producer Kurousa-P, this version became a hot topic for amplifying the original’s Japanese flair even further.
With its driving rock energy and melodies rooted in traditional Japanese music, the piece adds a thrilling edge to calligraphy performances.
It’s a recommended BGM choice, as the shared foundation of Japanese tradition-based contemporary art creates a natural affinity.
Masterpieces that color calligraphy performances: A comprehensive roundup from traditional Japanese tunes to the latest songs! (11–20)
Critical HitRADWIMPS
This is a powerful RADWIMPS track that, while confronting conflicts like compromise and regret, appeals to the importance of following one’s true feelings.
From the perspective of a protagonist wavering over life choices, it portrays the universal theme of choosing stability or taking on a challenge, brimming with a message that resonates deeply.
Included on the album “X to O to Tsumi to,” it was released in December 2013.
With a grand narrative that uses a baseball game as a metaphor to depict the passion for self-realization, this song is a perfect fit for scenes that encourage people pursuing their dreams through calligraphy.
Togetsu Bridge ~Thinking of You~Kuraki Mai
This is the 41st single by singer-songwriter Mai Kuraki, whose debut single, released when she was 17, became a million seller and catapulted her into the spotlight despite having no tie-in.
Written as the theme song for the animated film Detective Conan: The Crimson Love Letter, the track features a nostalgic melody that vividly conjures the scenery of Togetsukyo Bridge over the Katsura River in Kyoto, just as the title suggests.
Its richly layered arrangement blends a traditional Japanese atmosphere with modern sounds, making it a graceful complement to calligraphy performance.
It’s a piece that expresses the beauty of Japan through performance, captivating viewers with the fusion of time-honored tradition and contemporary art.
phonyTsumiki (Kaba Wagakki Bando)
Phony stands out with its driving, exhilarating melody.
Released by Wagakki Band in 2022, this song is a cover of a track produced by Vocaloid creator Tsumiki.
The lyrics evoke the feeling of gradually losing sight of one’s true self while living behind a mask as a counterfeit version of oneself.
It lends itself to a fast-paced performance that matches the song’s energy, and you can also incorporate staging that unites the audience by making effective use of the handclaps in the track.
Try performing it while bringing out a modern Japanese aesthetic!
Crimson Bow and ArrowLinked Horizon
A grand composition woven from powerful symphonic rock and orchestral sounds.
Featured on the single “Feuerroter Pfeil und Bogen” released in July 2013 as the opening theme for the first half of the anime Attack on Titan’s first season, it quickly became a popular song alongside the TV broadcast.
The lyrics, interlacing German and Japanese, are performed over a heavy, imposing sound and vividly capture the anime’s world.
In a shodo (Japanese calligraphy) performance, artists can express a blend of bold strokes and delicate movements in sync with the music, revealing a new dimension of artistry that calligraphers can showcase.