Spring songs from the early Showa era: a collection of kayōkyoku and shōka that evoke spring
When you hear “spring,” what songs come to mind?In the early Showa era, spanning from before to after the war, many popular songs, school songs, and children’s songs were created that delicately captured the changing seasons.In this special feature, we present a rich selection of songs and school songs about spring from that time.Some of the linked audio-video materials use original recordings from the era, so please savor the spring air of those days along with the retro sound.We hope you enjoy a gentle springtime, humming along to these nostalgic melodies.
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Spring songs from the early Showa era. A collection of popular songs and school songs that evoke spring (51–60)
Spring at the BorderHaruo Oka
Haruo Oka was a popular singer who rose to fame from before the war through the postwar era, scoring huge hits in his peak years in the late 1940s with songs like “A Longing Voyage to Hawaii.” His landmark debut single was “Spring at the Border,” released in 1939 (Showa 14).
The lyrics, seemingly sung from the perspective of a protagonist staying on the border between the Soviet Union and Manchukuo at the time, evoke a poignant yearning for spring back home in Japan.
Oka’s refined, impeccable vocals lend compelling weight to the song’s unique sense of melancholy.
Happy HinamatsuriKawamura Junko
With the arrival of spring, the Doll’s Festival (Hinamatsuri) is celebrated by decorating with colorful lanterns and peach blossoms.
A song that beautifully captures this seasonal scene is “Ureshii Hinamatsuri” by Junko Kawamura.
Since its release in 1936, this beloved tune has been cherished in homes across Japan, a classic that people of all ages find themselves humming.
Listening to it evokes an immediate sense of spring and brings a gentle warmth to the heart.
The lyrics by Hachirō Satō portray the Hinamatsuri landscape, where family bonds and tender moments intertwine, leaving a deep impression on the listener.
Included on the albums “Junko Kawamura: A Journey Through Children’s Songs I” and “Junko Kawamura: A Journey Through Children’s Songs II,” its nostalgic melody remains timeless even today.
It’s the kind of song you’ll want to hear each time spring returns.
The Port Town of Red CamelliasKirishima Noboru
This is a song by Noboru Kirishima, who was active as a singer and actor from the prewar to the postwar period.
With this piece, he made his first appearance at the 2nd NHK Kouhaku Uta Gassen in 1952 (Showa 27), and went on to perform at the event five times in total with that year’s and subsequent years’ hit songs.
The first recording featuring Kirishima’s vocals was produced in 1950 (Showa 25), and since then the song has been passed down and performed by various renowned singers.
Notably, Kirishima—who aimed to become a tenor during his student days and received formal vocal training—delivers a clear, expansive voice, and the song’s melancholic lyrics leave a strong impression.
Smiling Backkyandīzu
This is a supreme song by Candies that delicately sings of a woman’s bittersweet feelings before parting with someone dear, carried on a melody as fresh as a spring breeze.
Released in February 1978, it reached number one on the Oricon charts and sold over one million copies in total.
Depicting a couple’s breakup through a moving-day scene, it shows the protagonist looking back on their memories, her smile concealing complex emotions beneath.
It’s a song we especially recommend to those who have experienced parting with someone important in the springtime.
Sakura OndoKouta Katsutaro, Mishima Issei, Tokuyama Tamaki
Sakura Ondo, a staple of Bon Odori festivals, is a famous song that most Japanese people have heard at least once, regardless of age or gender.
Although Sakura Ondo was born in 1934 (Showa 9) as a so-called popular song and also served as the theme song for a film of the same name, there are actually multiple versions, including the films themselves.
Released as a competitive project by four film companies, Sakura Ondo also saw its respective theme songs—each titled Sakura Ondo—issued competitively by four different record companies.
With different people handling the lyrics, composition, and vocals for each, they are effectively different songs despite sharing the same title.
The most famous version was composed by Shinpei Nakayama, who had worked on Tokyo Ondo released the previous year (1933, Showa 8), with lyrics by Takao Saeki, and vocals performed by four singers: Kouta Katsutaro, Issei Mishima, Ren Tokuyama, and Chiyoko Kobayashi.
Just hearing its lively opening will make you want to start dancing!