[Songs of Kagoshima] The heart of our hometown carried on in song | A curated selection of classic tracks that embody Kagoshima

I’m from Satsuma.

Seventh Portable Shrine: Odoma Sasshu

A traditional celebratory song of Satsuma that sings the soul of Kagoshima.

The lyrics are rich with local dialect, conveying the lively atmosphere of festivals and people’s earnest wishes for prosperous business and good health.

Passed down at local festivals since long ago, the piece also became familiar to residents as the tune used in a shochu brand “Kuro Isanishiki” commercial.

In recent years, performance videos have begun appearing online, and the song seems to be spreading in new ways.

When you want to experience the vibrant culture of Kagoshima, why not give it a listen?

Kagoshima Hama-bushi

Kagoshima Hamabushi (Kagoshima Hamabushi) "Kagoshima Prefecture Folk Song"

A traditional melody where the majestic seascapes of Kagoshima and the hearts of the people who live there resonate as one.

The gentle phrasing is accompanied by the timbre of the shamisen, warmly enveloping the listener.

This piece is a folk song that depicts scenes along the west coast of Kagoshima Bay and was originally a type of boat-rowing song handed down in Kagoshima.

It later spread nationwide as an ozashiki song and still plays a role today in conveying Kagoshima’s culture at local events and the like.

It is a song that quietly stays by your side when you wish to reflect on your hometown scenery.

Shunryō main clauseShimauta

Kōsuke Naka – Island Song Solo Performance 'Shunryō-shu-bushi'

A renowned song with a heart-stirring melody nurtured by the climate of Amami.

It originally expressed passionate love, but after a local legislator’s wife was swept away by the tide in the Meiji era, it came to be sung with deep mourning and consolation.

Sung and recorded by various artists, including Takashi Nakagawa (Atsushi Nakatsuka) [note: Nakagawa Atsushi? If referring to Kousuke Atari, use: by Kousuke Atari], this piece offers a gentle tune that will comfort you when remembering someone dear or when you wish to feel the warmth of your homeland.

Kuninao Yone Ane-bushiShimauta

Kousuke Atari – Shimauta Solo Performance 'Kuninyāku Yonē Bushi'

A single track that sinks deep into the heart, evoking the beautiful seas and greenery of Amami.

It richly sings, to the sound of the sanshin, the tale of the beautiful sisters known as “Kome-nee,” said to have once truly lived there.

For those who listen, it may gently bring to mind the landscapes of a distant homeland and the warm feelings of the people who live there.

Carefully handed down by artists such as Takashige Nakama and Minami Kizuki, this work is one to savor when you feel nostalgic for home or want to immerse yourself in the island’s unhurried flow of time.

Watasya BushiShimauta

Kousuke Atari – Shima Uta (solo acoustic) “Watasha-bushi with Chitose Hajime”

A traditional island song that vividly evokes a sea voyage around the Amami Islands.

With a lively yet wistful melody, it sings of the feelings of those who travel by boat from island to island—partings, longing, and love.

Revitalized by a new generation of artists, including collaborations between Chitose Hajime and Kousuke Atari and remixes by Ryuichi Sakamoto, its allure continues to reach contemporary audiences.

Adopted by Kagoshima Prefecture’s cultural preservation initiatives, it is cherished and carefully protected by local communities.

When you want to experience heartwarming island music, why not take the time to listen closely?

Nagakumo-bushiShimauta

Chitose Hajime Amami island folk song, solo with accompaniment. Song tour on Amami Oshima, a World Heritage island: “Nagakumo-bushi.”

Nagakumo-bushi, which came to be known as a “farewell song” in uta-asobi gatherings, is perceived differently depending on the region—celebrated as a congratulatory song in some areas, and cherished in others as a tune that lures out spirits.

The singing, carried by the timbre of the shamisen, seems to evoke the island’s uniquely unhurried sense of time.

Perhaps it would be nice to listen to this masterpiece of island song—also included on Chitose Hajime’s album—while letting your thoughts drift to the Amami region, a place with a mysterious charm that soothes the soul.

Its profound melodic lines also make it perfect as background music for a quiet night spent alone.

Kagoshima Ohara-bushiMitsubishi Michiya

Mitchie (Michiya Mihashi) 'Kagoshima Oharabushi'

It is a representative folk song of Kagoshima.

Every November, a mass dance called the Ohara Festival is held in the streets.

With an upbeat rhythm that makes you want to start dancing, the sight of the entire city joining in must be spectacular.

The lyrics, rich with nature and people, are sure to stir nostalgia even in those who have left their hometown.