A famous song about Fukuoka. The heart of the hometown passed down through song.

Mr. Sanshiro from HakataKoyanagi Rumiko

Sanshiro from Hakata — Rumiko Koyanagi

It originally comes from the old folk song “Hakata Katchiri-bushi.” It’s a fun song that playfully gossips about various people.

Here, “katchiri” is rendered as “batchiri, batchiri.” Ms.

Rumiko, who is like a representative of Fukuoka—a place that has produced many entertainers—sings it stylishly.

Orie’s SongYamazaki Hako

Hako Yamasaki - Orie’s Song

This is a song with lyrics by Hiroyuki Itsuki, based on the novel The Gate of Youth.

It’s a profoundly poignant song that lets you fully savor Hako Yamasaki’s worldview.

I really do think this is a song that only Hako-san could sing.

The sadness, the happiness, the purity—Fukuoka has all of them, and this world, too, is one form of Fukuoka.

Rampaging DrumSakamoto Fuyumi

Rampaging Taiko – Fuyumi Sakamoto (Abaré Taiko)

It’s a powerful song with boldly resonant drums.

When it comes to naturally singing about a man like Muhōmatsu—so quintessentially a Kyushu tough—no one but Fuyumi Sakamoto could pull it off.

The rough waves of the Genkai Sea and the image of a shy Kyushu man, soft-hearted and easily moved by emotion, were crisply and vividly expressed.

The Life of Matsu the UntamedMurata Hideo

The Life of Mutsukichi the Outlaw (including 'A Thousand Ryō of Guts') Murata Hideo UPB-0078

In addition to the mega-hit “Ōshō,” enka singer Hideo Murata, who passed away in 2002, left behind numerous songs.

This piece, “Muhōmatsu no Isshō,” was his debut single, released in 1958.

He also performed it on NHK’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen in 1975.

Originally a rōkyoku narrative ballad, it was arranged and released as a popular song.

The lyrics feature many hallmarks of Hakata, including Kokura in Kyushu and the Genkai Sea.

It’s a masculine, powerful number.

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From Kyoto to HakataFuji Keiko

From Kyoto to Hakata (video) ★ Keiko Fuji

It expresses the feelings of a woman who follows her lover from Kyoto all the way to Hakata.

The singing, with its firm conviction, impresses me every time I hear it.

Apparently, there was an answer song later by the artist herself called “I Will Return to Kyoto.” I can’t help but wonder what happened to the woman after that.

In Tribute to Hakata DollsShimada Yūko

In Tribute to Hakata Dolls

It was originally sung by Saori Yuki on NHK’s “Minna no Uta.” Hakata dolls are traditional crafts, and there are many kinds—adorable children, beautiful geisha, stalwart warlords, and so on—with very elegant, distinctly Japanese features.

The song gazes at the dolls and drifts into thoughts of days long past.

Harbor SeekerAikawa Masaki

"Harbor Visitor" by Masaki Aikawa

This song portrays a woman who arrives in Hakata searching for the man who abandoned her.

But he’s already moved on to the next town—Nagasaki.

It’s a piece that powerfully conveys the woman’s lingering attachment, her inability to forget him.

Though the city often gives off a lively, festive impression and is a place where drifters might while away some time, here we glimpse the sorrow at the Port of Hakata.

Aikawa’s clear voice is captivating.