The soul’s cry woven into Japanese elegies: unraveling supreme masterpieces that resonate with the heart.
The world of Japanese laments that sublimate sorrow and wistfulness into beautiful melodies.
From the desolate scenes woven by RC Succession led by Kiyoshiro Imawano, to the soul-stirring poetic realm of Agata Morio, and even the transparent feelings sung by the VOCALOID GUMI.
Timeless masterpieces that have continued to stay close to people’s hearts speak of heartbreak, loneliness, farewells…
They carry the cries of the soul felt in many moments of life.
Alongside vocals that quietly seep into the heart, they invite you into a deeply moving world.
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The soul’s cry woven into Japanese elegies: Unraveling supreme, heart-stirring masterpieces (11–20)
I want to be kinder.Saitō Kazuyoshi
A masterpiece by Kazuyoshi Saito that gently wraps the aspirations lying beyond the gaze that turns a globe in a melody that seeps into the heart.
It opens with a powerful guitar intro, and his rugged yet warm vocals resonate deep in the chest.
Released in November 2011, the song contrasts the yearning for kindness with the emptiness of a self-centered way of life, questioning one’s place within human relationships.
Written specifically as the theme song for the Nippon TV drama “I’m Mita, Your Housekeeper” starring Nanako Matsushima, it was issued shortly after the album “45 STONES” and won Best Drama Song at the 71st The Television Drama Academy Awards.
A gem dedicated to everyone standing at a crossroads in life, who, while facing their own weaknesses, still wishes to deepen their bonds with those they cherish.
contrailArai Yumi
It’s the theme song from the Ghibli film The Wind Rises.
It’s said to be a work centered on the theme of a friend’s suicide.
There are also theories that it’s about death from illness, and the debate continues to this day—such is the stature of this masterpiece.
It was included on the first album.
And above all, the supporting members are stellar: bass and gut guitar by Haruomi Hosono, keyboards by Masataka Matsutoya, guitar by Shigeru Suzuki, and drums by Tatsuo Hayashi—an incredibly luxurious lineup.
It shows how highly anticipated it was.
Apparently, it was originally written for Izumi Yukimura, but due to various circumstances that fell through, and with the artist singing it herself, the song finally saw the light of day—it feels like it was meant to be.
It’s a masterpiece that sets the “death” of a young girl to a gently soothing melody.
Why doesn’t it feel sorrowful? Perhaps because it seems to speak on behalf of the girl’s feelings.
From her perspective, living on in the real world was probably far more painful.
That pain must have been hard for those around her to understand.
For the girl, the far side of the sky was likely where she wanted to live.
Yumi Arai received that with her sensibility, turned it into song, and did not let the girl’s “death” be in vain.
She’s a bundle of talent.
pendulumUru
Feeling the hardship of living—perhaps that is what it means to be alive.
This is a song by Uru, a singer who rose to fame through her online activities, released as a single in 2020.
It was written as the theme song for the film “The Voice of Sin.” Uru’s crystal-clear vocals blend perfectly with the grand sound arrangement to create a poignant ballad.
The lyrics, which drift through thoughts of one’s everyday life and days gone by, are crafted in a way that anyone can relate to.
Why not take a moment to look back on your own life with this song?
Sans toi, ma mieKoshiji Fubuki
With exquisitely gritty, resonant vocals that pierce the heart with sorrow, this song blends a smoky, chanson-like atmosphere with a distinctly Japanese enka feel.
From the very beginning, the lyrics vividly evoke the concrete scenes of heartbreak, creating a deeply affecting, sentimental piece that exudes a panoramic sense of the cityscape.
Slow BalladRC sakuseshon
Kiyoshiro Imawano and RC Succession are often associated with intense rock, but when they debuted, they sang folk songs.
This song also evokes a lonely scene, close to that world of folk.
It was released as their sixth single in 1976.
Song of the Frontier Guardssadamasashi
When it comes to singer-songwriters who can evoke the pathos of life like no other, Masashi Sada comes to mind.
His song “Sakimori no Uta” was released in 1980 and was also used as the theme song for the film The 203rd High Ground.
The lyrics are said to be based on poems from the Manyoshu.
The soul’s cry embedded in Japanese elegies: Unraveling supreme masterpieces that resonate with the heart (21–30)
Go for it!Nakajima Miyuki
The most famous artist to come out of “Popcon” is probably Miyuki Nakajima.
This song is based on unreasonable and painful real-life experiences submitted by listeners to the late-night radio show she hosts.
Listening to it makes you want to cheer them on with a “Fight!”