Spring songs from the early Showa era: a collection of kayōkyoku and shōka that evoke spring

When you hear “early Showa era,” what period do you imagine?

In this special feature, we’ve focused on the early Showa years from before the war to just after it, selecting songs centered on popular tunes, school songs, and children’s songs from that time.

To help you fully enjoy the “retro Showa vibe,” we’ve tried to choose linked audio/video materials that use the original recordings whenever possible.

We hope to convey the spring atmosphere of the early Showa era along with the nostalgic mono sound quality.

As you recall those days, please join us in humming along and enjoy!

Playlist

Spring songs from the early Showa era: a collection of kayōkyoku and shōka that evoke spring
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	The Flower Girl of TokyoHaruo Oka		A classic spring song that reflects postwar hope, like willow buds awakening.
2	When the white flowers bloomOkamoto Atsurō		Scenes of spring and parting, when white flowers bloom
3	Nineteen SpringsKagurazaka Uki		Kagurazaka Ukiko’s 1956 hit song depicting a nineteen-year-old woman’s heartbreak
4	Suzhou SerenadeWatanabe Hamako, Kirishima Noboru		A popular Showa-era song set in Suzhou, China before the war
5	Early Spring Odeshouka		A composition that delicately depicts a spring scene
6	The Apple SongNamiki Michiko		A classic song that sings of postwar hope: Blue Skies and Love
7	Song of Springtsukimura mitsuko		Spring Song is a representative spring piece from the early Showa era.
8	Flowershouka		A cherry blossom song celebrating the arrival of spring, a heartwarming classic
9	Elegy of SpringShōji Shirō		“Spring Elegy” is a classic song from the early Showa era that expresses love and parting.
10	Maiden of the LakesideKikuchi Akiko		Akiko Kikuchi’s signature song “Maiden by the Lakeside”
11	The Night Wind of the JourneyKirishima Noboru, Misu Koromubia		It became a movie theme song of Showa-era popular music in 1938.
12	Song of SpringUchida Hajime		A heartwarming national song that sings of the arrival of spring
13	Over the hillFujiyama Ichirō		The origins and appeal of the classic song “Over the Hills,” sung by Ichiro Fujiyama
14	Maiden’s SpringAwaya Noriko		Noriko Awaya’s song from 1934 of the Showa era
15	When the violets bloomTakarazuka Shōjo Kageki Tsukigumi		When the Violet Flowers Bloom is a song of German origin.
16	Spring of the AccordionNakano Tadaharu		Tadaharu Nakano's Showa-era Kayōkyoku Album
17	Blue MountainsFuji Yama Ichirou, Nara Mitsue		Blue Mountain Range is a postwar national song.
18	Where are you, spring?Futaba Akiko, Fujiyama Ichirō		A melancholic popular song released by a famed Showa-era hit-making duo
19	The Hill Where Mandarin Orange Blossoms BloomKawada Masako		The Birth and Popularity of “Mikan no Hana Saku Oka”
20	Comrades-in-arms cherry blossomsItō Hisao		“同期の桜” is a wartime military song that continues to be sung today.
21	White Plum Blossoms of YushimaObata Minoru		Minoru Obata’s “Yushima no Shiraume” is a prewar popular song.
22	Though the white roses bloomFujiyama Ichirō		A Showa-era popular song composed by Masao Koga
23	Elegy of SpringTōkairin Tarō		The elegy of spring sings of an unfulfilled love
24	carp streamer		Koinobori is a children's song with lyrics by Miyako Kondo.
25	Blue MountainsFujiyama Ichirō		In 1949, when postwar Japan began to sprout, the young people...
26	Sakura DōjōjiMikado Junko		A song themed on the legend of Anchin and Kiyohime
27	Plum Blossoms and SoldiersTabata Yoshio		A Showa-era pop song in which a soldier at the front sings of his feelings for his mother
28	Flowers and Sunshine of a Spring DayAirurando min’yō		A song that gently embraces love as it changes
29	The Port Town of Red CamelliasKirishima Noboru		A signature song by Noboru Kirishima and his first appearance on the Kōhaku Uta Gassen.
30	Tokyo RhapsodyFujiyama Ichirō		Ichirō Fujiyama’s signature song that symbolizes Shōwa-era kayōkyoku (popular songs)
31	A Hazy Moonlit Nightshouka		A piece that beautifully depicts a spring evening scene...
32	The country where cherry blossoms bloomOSK Nihon Kagekidan		The country where cherry blossoms bloom is a traditional song of the Spring Troupe Theater Company.
33	Sakura OndoKouta Katsutaro, Mishima Issei, Tokuyama Tamaki		There are multiple versions of the Sakura Ondo.
34	Spring is still young.Arishima Michio		A 1936 film theme song that uses a poem by Takuboku Ishikawa
35	Happy Hinamatsuri		Features and appeal of the delightful Hinamatsuri
36	Spring at the BorderHaruo Oka		Haruo Oka’s debut song “Spring at the Border”
37	hometownshouka		Sing about the scenery of my hometown and my feelings for my family
38	Has the plum blossomed?		Have the plum blossoms bloomed? A song about romantic feelings for the opposite sex.
39	We Look Up to You with Respectshouka		Aogeba Tōtoshi, a spring classic at graduation ceremonies
40	Spring has come.		A famous Japanese children's song that sings of the arrival of spring
41	Spring Stream		A Nostalgic Children’s Song That Evokes Spring: “Spring Stream”
42	Come, spring		The classic song 'Come, Spring' that sings of the yearning for spring
43	Sakura, sakurashouka		The quintessential spring cherry blossom song, “Sakura Sakura.”
44	Happy HinamatsuriKawamura Junko		The Charm and History of Happy Hinamatsuri
45	Smiling Backkyandīzu		Spring songs of parting and memories, timeless melodies that touch the heart
46	Spring NightMiyagi Michio		A spring night, a scene enchanted by the sound of the koto.
47	tricolor violetSakurada Junko		A poignant tale of first love woven with pansies