[Songs of Gunma] Exquisite masterpieces that sing of Gunma’s nature and the spirit of its people

Maebashi BluesSugano Yutaka

Maebashi Blues — by Yutaka Kanno himself

Hmm, what a nice voice.

As I thought, it’s Yutaka Kanno, the original lead vocalist of Southern Cross.

After Mori Yuji & Southern Cross disbanded in 1985, Yutaka Kanno made his solo debut in 1987, and he’s been captivating audiences with his singing at local dinner shows and the like.

The mention of the Ryōmō Line’s last train really makes it a local song, doesn’t it?

A Lone Traveling Crow of JōshūMatsushima Shinichiro

Jōshū Lone Traveling Crow PV / Shinichirō Matsushima

When you think of Jōshū—Gunma Prefecture, which was known as Kōzuke no Kuni—the name Chūji Kunisada is so famous that there are many songs about chivalrous outlaws.

It’s fine if things like fiery tirades and Hannya tattoos on one’s back exist only in the world of song.

But this Mr.

Shinichirō Matsushima is incredible.

While serving as the chairman of a comprehensive electrical equipment company, he made his debut at the age of 64.

He has commented that he spares no daily diligence and effort.

Shinobu’s Migratory Birdotowa shinobu

Shinobu Otowa / Shinobu’s Drifting Bird 2001

Although it’s a travel song from the perspective of a migratory bird, it also feels like a local anthem.

The first verse mentions Shinano and Kutsukake, pointing to Nagano Prefecture; the second verse sings of the Jōshū road and Tsukiyono in Gunma Prefecture; and the third verse brings up Sado and Teradomari in Niigata Prefecture.

Shinobu Otowa is from Shimonoseki in Yamaguchi Prefecture, has changed her stage name several times, appeared on talk shows wearing outfits designed by Uno Kanda, and perhaps thanks to those efforts, she won the Newcomer Award at the 43rd Japan Record Awards.

I love Maebashi.Sazankurosu

'09 Beloved Takasaki

Southern Cross is also famous for including local place names in their titles, like “I Love You, Sapporo.” Since Sapporo has quite an urban image, I feel you don’t necessarily need to run a whole local-song campaign for it.

Still, when a city is woven into a song, it somehow creates a mood that makes you want to travel there.

“I Love You, Maebashi” doesn’t say much in its lyrics either, but it’s a song that evokes images of a hometown of the heart, of water and greenery.

Female KokuteiFutaba Yuriko

Onna Kokutei (Female National), by Yuriko Futaba, released in Showa 32 (1957), record source

Yuriko Futaba, who made a huge hit with ‘Kishibe no Haha’ in 1972 and was energetically active in the public eye, announced her retirement in 2010; however, she is extremely dedicated when training her disciples.

When I saw her doing vocal exercises with Ayako Fuji on TV about one or two years ago, I could hardly believe that such vocal power belonged to someone over 80.

Yearning: A Man’s Straw HatSankado Chuuji

Chuji Mikado / Nostalgic Man’s Kasa (Hat)

Describing the wandering drifter as an autumn pile of fallen leaves is, in a way, rather stylish among the lyrics of the matabi series.

The lines about a lone man, a traveling crow—where and why did he stray from the path, and how many times did he apologize to the mother in the palm of his hand—are truly moving.

Chuji Mikado is from Izumi, Osaka Prefecture, and in 1984 he received the Excellent Newcomer Award at the Nippon Hoso Cable Music Awards.

Kogarashi MonjirōOkawa Eisaku

Eisaku Okawa / Kogarashi Monjirō / Seijirō

When it comes to the opening theme of Kogarashi Monjirō, the only thing that comes to mind is Tsunehiko Kamijō’s “Dareka ga Kaze no Naka de,” which had a grand image quite removed from typical period drama music.

As for Eisaku Ōkawa’s song—does it sing about Monjirō’s fate? Monjirō is said to have been born in Mikazuki Village, Nitta District of Jōshū, and in his hometown there are places like a memorial hall that honor it as Monjirō’s birthplace.