[Japanese-style Piano Pieces] A selection of recommended works with a pleasantly Japanese flavor
The piano is an instrument born in Europe.
Classical music is a musical style that developed in the West.
If you mainly practice classical works, you may naturally end up focusing on pieces infused with European essence, and it might be rare to feel a sense of “Wa” (Japanese aesthetics) while playing the piano.
So in this article, for those who want to try playing piano pieces that convey a distinctly Japanese flavor, we’ll introduce a wide selection of Japan-inspired piano works.
Even within the label “Japanese style,” the roots and forms of the pieces vary widely—from works composed by European composers inspired by Japanese ukiyo-e to sets of variations based on children’s songs.
Please enjoy listening while comparing the different expressions of “Japaneseness” in each work and savoring how interpretations of “Japanese style” vary from one composer to another!
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[Japanese-style Piano Pieces] A Curated Selection of Comfortingly Japanese Works (1–10)
Japanese SuiteOdaka Naotada
Naotada Otaka is a leading Japanese contemporary composer with a unique style that fuses elements of Western tradition and Japanese traditional music.
One of his representative works is the Japanese Suite, premiered in 1936.
Composed with the intention of translating traditional Japanese music into the language of Western tonality and discovering a new means of expression for the Japanese spirit, this piece conveys the composer’s profound desire to depict Japan’s landscapes and culture through music.
It is highly recommended for those who wish to feel a sense of Japan or to explore Otaka’s musical world.
Sakura VariationsMiyagi Michio
Among the signature works of Michio Miyagi, a composer who greatly contributed to the modernization of traditional Japanese music, is The Sea in Spring for koto and shakuhachi.
But the piece often performed and loved on the piano is this Variations on “Sakura.” Composed in 1923, it is based on the old Japanese folk song Sakura Sakura and consists of eight variations.
By adopting the Western variation form, the piece conveys Miyagi’s distinctive musical world, portraying a variety of expressions on the theme of cherry blossoms, the symbol of spring in Japan.
Fantasy on the Theme of “Oborozukiyo”Todoroki Chihiro
While actively composing, Chihiro Todoroki also works energetically to advance music education from a composer’s perspective through seminar teaching, publishing piano teaching materials, and contributing to music magazines.
Her Fantasia on the Theme of “Oborozukiyo” is a large-scale piano work in which the familiar school song’s melody unfolds dramatically in a pianistic arrangement.
Its brilliance and audience appeal make it perfect for concerts and recitals.
If you’re looking to present a piece with a Japanese flavor, why not give it a try?
[Japanese-Style Piano Pieces] A Selection of Pleasant, Distinctly Japanese Recommended Works (11–20)
Suite ‘Mirrors’ No. 3 ‘A Boat on the Ocean’Maurice Ravel
Maurice Ravel, influenced by Franz Liszt and Claude Debussy, elevated the possibilities of the piano to new heights.
His suite Miroirs was composed in 1905, and the third piece, Une barque sur l’océan (A Boat on the Ocean), was dedicated to the painter Paul Sordes.
With a flowing melody that glides like water and dynamic arpeggios that imitate the motion of waves, this work musically depicts the vast seascape and the quiet progress of a small boat—an exemplar of the brilliant beauty and transparency of French Impressionism.
Savor Ravel’s richly colored orchestration and delicate textures.
Variations on ‘Akatombo’ (Red Dragonfly)Miyake Haruna
Akatonbo Variations is a work by composer and pianist Haruna Miyake, born in Tokyo in 1942.
Published by Kawai in 1981, Akatonbo Variations is a cherished piece that Miyake composed during her junior-high years on the U.S.
West Coast, using Kosaku Yamada’s children’s song Akatonbo as its theme.
Consisting of five beautiful variations that evoke a nostalgic Japan, the piece is adorned throughout with flowing ornamentation, incisive sonorities, and richly varied rhythms.
It takes on the challenge of expressing a simple thematic melody in diverse ways, resulting in a work that lets you fully savor the piano’s resonance.
It is recommended not only for seasoned musicians but also for listeners who wish to experience fresh surprises in a familiar tune.
Variations on KimigayoNarita Tamezō
The piano piece Kimigayo Variations, composed in 1943 by Japanese composer Narita Tamezō, consists of 14 variations that skillfully express a range of tempos and emotions using the melody of the national anthem Kimigayo as its theme.
The work strongly reflects the historical context of its time, conveying Narita’s conviction as a musician to pursue pure musical beauty even during wartime.
Firmly grounded in Western compositional techniques while drawing on the Japanese material of Kimigayo, this piece vividly demonstrates Narita’s musical talent and his passion for art.
Kagome Variations: Theme and Eight VariationsKoyama Kiyoshige
Kiyoshige Koyama’s Kagome Variations: Theme and Eight Variations is a solo piano work based on the children’s song Kagome Kagome.
Koyama composed in a wide range of genres—including orchestral music, wind ensemble pieces, and opera—and is known for his distinctive style that fuses traditional Japanese music with Western elements.
In this piece, a simple theme is followed by a series of variations with diverse characters, such as prelude-like, koto-inspired, and dance-like styles.
While honoring the atmosphere of the original melody, the arrangement brilliantly draws out the full appeal of the piano.
It is not only a delight for piano enthusiasts, but also a refreshing addition to concert programs that will envelop audiences in a sense of surprise.