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.

Playlist

Spring songs from the early Showa era: a collection of kayōkyoku and shōka that evoke spring
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	Green breezesakushi: shimizu katsura / sakkyoku: kusakawa shin		A Shōwa-era children's song depicting the arrival of spring and children's play
2	Flowers of the trifoliate orangeSakushi: Kitahara Hakushū / Sakkyoku: Yamada Kōsaku		The changing seasons in the famous works by Hakushū and Kōsaku
3	Spring somewhereSakushi: Momota Sōji / Sakkyoku: Kusakawa Shin		Introduction to a children's song that sings of the arrival of spring
4	Haze or cloud?shouka		The history and charm of the song that symbolizes the voices of small birds heard in the spring fields and mountains
5	Flower Towndōyō		The children’s song that represents spring after the war, “Hana no Machi” (Flower Town)
6	Pleasant spring breezedikku mine		A sprightly spring jazz song, a masterpiece performance from early Showa era
7	Japanese bush warblerdōyō		The bush warbler, the spring-announcing bird, children's song
8	Gion Little SongSakushi: Osada Mikihiko / Sakkyoku: Sasa Kōka		A Showa-era classic song depicting a Kyoto maiko
9	The city is a spring breezeNakano Tadaharu		A song of Western jazz Japanized by the spring breeze
10	Plum blossoms in the spring breezeShinbashi Kiyozo		A popular song from the early Showa era themed around plum blossoms and the spring breeze
11	spring breeze, spring rainYamaguchi Yoshiko		Showa ballads sung by Yamaguchi Yoshiko
12	Tulipdōyō		The History and Charm of Children’s Songs Depicting Spring Flowers
13	Spring breeze blowing at nightsayo fukuko		Theme song of the Takarazuka Moon Troupe’s 1941 (Showa 16) performance
14	Edo is a spring breezeTakada Kōkichi		A fusion of Japanese and Western styles with an Edo-period aesthetic
15	The Flower Girl of TokyoHaruo Oka		A 1946 classic that portrayed hope in postwar Tokyo
16	Nineteen SpringsKagurazaka Uki		Kagurazaka Ukiko’s 1956 hit song depicting a nineteen-year-old woman’s heartbreak
17	Early Spring Odeshouka		A composition that delicately depicts a spring scene
18	The Apple SongNamiki Michiko		A classic song that sings of postwar hope: Blue Skies and Love
19	Song of Springtsukimura mitsuko		Spring Song is a representative spring piece from the early Showa era.
20	Flowershouka		A cherry blossom song celebrating the arrival of spring, a heartwarming classic
21	Hate and the spring breezeFujimoto Nisankichi		A Showa-era (early) jazz school song that dreams of the spring breeze
22	When the white flowers bloomOkamoto Atsurō		Scenes of spring and parting, when white flowers bloom
23	Elegy of SpringTōkairin Tarō		The elegy of spring sings of an unfulfilled love
24	Though the white roses bloomFujiyama Ichirō		A Showa-era popular song composed by Masao Koga
25	Elegy of SpringShōji Shirō		“Spring Elegy” is a classic song from the early Showa era that expresses love and parting.
26	White Plum Blossoms of YushimaObata Minoru		Minoru Obata’s “Yushima no Shiraume” is a prewar popular song.
27	Suzhou SerenadeWatanabe Hamako, Kirishima Noboru		A popular Showa-era song set in Suzhou, China before the war
28	Over the hillFujiyama Ichirō		The origins and appeal of the classic song “Over the Hills,” sung by Ichiro Fujiyama
29	Blue MountainsFujiyama Ichirō		The birth and significance of a masterpiece that sang of hope after the war
30	A Hazy Moonlit Nightshouka		An old Japanese song that depicts a spring evening
31	Song of SpringUchida Hajime		A heartwarming national song that sings of the arrival of spring
32	Flowers and Sunshine of a Spring DayAirurando min’yō		A song that gently embraces love as it changes
33	Where are you, spring?Futaba Akiko, Fujiyama Ichirō		A melancholic popular song released by a famed Showa-era hit-making duo
34	carp streamer		Koinobori is a children's song with lyrics by Miyako Kondo.
35	We Look Up to You with Respectshouka		Aogeba Tōtoshi, a spring classic at graduation ceremonies
36	Spring has come.		A famous Japanese children's song that sings of the arrival of spring
37	Come, spring		The classic song 'Come, Spring' that sings of the yearning for spring
38	The Night Wind of the JourneyKirishima Noboru, Misu Koromubia		It became a movie theme song of Showa-era popular music in 1938.
39	Maiden’s SpringAwaya Noriko		Noriko Awaya’s song from 1934 of the Showa era
40	Plum Blossoms and SoldiersTabata Yoshio		A Showa-era pop song in which a soldier at the front sings of his feelings for his mother
41	The Hill Where Mandarin Orange Blossoms BloomKawada Masako		The Birth and Popularity of “Mikan no Hana Saku Oka”
42	Tokyo RhapsodyFujiyama Ichirō		Ichirō Fujiyama’s signature song that symbolizes Shōwa-era kayōkyoku (popular songs)
43	Spring Stream		A Nostalgic Children’s Song That Evokes Spring: “Spring Stream”
44	Has the plum blossomed?		Have the plum blossoms bloomed? A song about romantic feelings for the opposite sex.
45	Spring of the AccordionNakano Tadaharu		Tadaharu Nakano's Showa-era Kayōkyoku Album
46	Blue MountainsFuji Yama Ichirou, Nara Mitsue		Blue Mountain Range is a postwar national song.
47	hometownshouka		A song that symbolizes the Japanese spirit, expressing feelings for one’s hometown
48	tricolor violetSakurada Junko		A song that entrusts a faint first love to tricolored violets
49	Comrades-in-arms cherry blossomsItō Hisao		“同期の桜” is a wartime military song that continues to be sung today.
50	Maiden of the LakesideKikuchi Akiko		Akiko Kikuchi’s signature song “Maiden by the Lakeside”
51	Spring NightMiyagi Michio		A spring night, a scene enchanted by the sound of the koto.
52	Spring is still young.Arishima Michio		A 1936 film theme song that uses a poem by Takuboku Ishikawa
53	Sakura, sakurashouka		The quintessential spring cherry blossom song, “Sakura Sakura.”
54	Happy Hinamatsuri		Features and appeal of the delightful Hinamatsuri
55	Sakura DōjōjiMikado Junko		A song themed on the legend of Anchin and Kiyohime
56	Spring at the BorderHaruo Oka		Haruo Oka’s debut song “Spring at the Border”
57	Happy HinamatsuriKawamura Junko		The Charm and History of Happy Hinamatsuri
58	The Port Town of Red CamelliasKirishima Noboru		A signature song by Noboru Kirishima and his first appearance on the Kōhaku Uta Gassen.
59	Smiling Backkyandīzu		Spring songs of parting and memories, timeless melodies that touch the heart
60	Sakura OndoKouta Katsutaro, Mishima Issei, Tokuyama Tamaki		There are multiple versions of the Sakura Ondo.
61	When the violets bloomTakarazuka Shōjo Kageki Tsukigumi		When the Violet Flowers Bloom is a song of German origin.
62	The country where cherry blossoms bloomOSK Nihon Kagekidan		The country where cherry blossoms bloom is a traditional song of the Spring Troupe Theater Company.