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 that color calligraphy performances: A comprehensive roundup from traditional Japanese tunes to the latest songs! (11–20)
At the mercy of the godsReruriri feat. Miku & Rin & GUMI
A pop tune that masterfully blends the timbre of traditional Japanese instruments with electronica, stirring the listener’s heart.
Produced by Rerulili, the track showcases a unique world woven by three Vocaloids—Hatsune Miku, Kagamine Rin, and GUMI.
Inspired by Japanese mythology, it beautifully portrays the emotions of people living in the modern era.
Released in May 2013, the song was later included on the 2014 album “Seisou Bakuretsu Boy.” Its brisk tempo and distinctive sound that leverages traditional Japanese elements make it a perfect fit to enhance the dynamism of calligraphy performances.
Highly recommended for those looking to explore new forms of artistic expression.
danceAdo
This is an ambitious work in which Ado takes on the world of club music, a departure from her usual image.
On the sonic side, it incorporates elements of K-pop, with rhythmic beats and an oriental atmosphere blending beautifully.
Chosen as the theme song for NHK General’s “Yakō Ongaku VocaloP 5min.,” the track also drew attention as part of the album Kyogen, released in April 2021.
The monumental chorus—said to layer the equivalent of seven or eight voices by a single person—is truly overwhelming in its expressiveness.
Its powerful, passionate style pairs perfectly with the dynamic movements of calligraphy performance.
It’s a highly recommended song for those seeking a richly expressive performance.
Come, spring.Matsutōya Yumi
This gem of a song delicately depicts a spring scene bathed in soft light, gently accompanying the feeling of thinking of someone dear.
Released in October 1994, it was chosen as the theme song for an NHK morning drama series.
It was also used in commercials for the Huis Ten Bosch Tulip Festival, Yomiuri Shimbun, and All Nippon Airways, and reached No.
1 on the Oricon weekly chart.
Later, in 2011, it was featured in various contexts as part of a support project for areas affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake.
Its gently flowing melody and beautiful vocals pair perfectly with the delicate brushwork of calligraphy performance, resonating with the performer’s heart and further enhancing the appeal of the work.
Bloom, oh bloomEGOIST
How about EGOIST’s “Sakase ya Sakase,” a song with a Japanese-style melody that will power up your performance? Released in 2019, it was used as the theme song for the anime film “Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress: The Battle of Unato.” The vocalist, Chelly, delivers a glamorous and powerful voice, and the rousing lyrics will give your brush real momentum.
Match your moves to this track for a cool, forceful calligraphy performance that will captivate everyone watching!
Tiger & DragonCRAZY KEN BAND
Under the catchy slogan “Tearing down the cutting edge and blowing away the now-feeling age with the greatest sound machine in the East,” this is the fifth single by the rock band Crazy Ken Band, known for their popularity with a mixed sound that fuses diverse musical styles.
The track was used as the ending theme for the music program COUNT DOWN TV and as the theme song for the TV drama Tiger & Dragon.
It might be fun to sync your performance with features like the climactic refrain that serves as a highlight.
It’s a song almost everyone has heard at least once, making it a surefire number to catch ears as background music.
a miraculous comebackWagakki Band
A Wagakki Band track that fuses the powerful tones of traditional Japanese instruments with rock.
Imbued with the resolve to rise from a desperate situation and regain one’s vitality, it features a compelling balance between Japanese instruments—shakuhachi, koto, Tsugaru shamisen, and taiko—and Western instruments.
Released in 2016, the song was chosen as the theme for TV Tokyo’s coverage of the Rio de Janeiro Olympics and has become one of Wagakki Band’s signature pieces.
It’s highly recommended for those looking to try a calligraphy performance or add a sense of strength to the hand that holds the brush.
Iconic Tracks to Color Your Shodo Performances: A Curated Selection from Traditional Japanese Tunes to the Latest Songs (21–30)
ElegyHirai Ken
This is a ballad by singer-songwriter Ken Hirai that seems to express the agony portrayed from a woman’s perspective.
Written specifically as the theme song for the film “A Lost Paradise of Love,” it was composed based on the original novel and the film’s screenplay.
The song is striking for its arrangement, which conveys a sense of unstable feelings overflowing, and for its voice that deeply resonates with the heart.
The progression from a gentle atmosphere to a grand one is particularly notable, so using it in a performance could help create compelling dynamics.
