Makoto Kawamoto debuted in 1996 and became an artist who defined the era.
She has continued her work since then, staying at the forefront of the music scene for many years.
Her distinctive voice, melodic sensibilities, and choice of words in her lyrics are especially captivating.
Please enjoy these richly nuanced songs in this playlist.
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Makoto Kawamoto’s Best and Most Popular Songs (1–10)
cherry blossomKawamoto Makoto
It’s a song about love in graduation season.
The lyrics, written like an inner monologue about youthful romance, are poignant and memorable.
The piano takes the lead more than the guitar, giving it a spring-like feel.
It brings back memories of my school days.
1/2Kawamoto Makoto
This is the track that catapulted her into the spotlight when it became the opening theme for the popular anime Rurouni Kenshin.
It’s her biggest hit.
It has the feel of a culminating work from her series of acoustic numbers since her debut.
You can also see her playing the piano in the music video.
43102Kawamoto Makoto
Makoto Kawamoto made her major-label debut in 1996 with the single “Ai no Sainō” (The Talent for Love).
A native of Fukui City in Fukui Prefecture, she graduated from the local high school and from the piano program in the music department at a local university, making her a highly skilled artist.
In 1997, she released “1/2,” which was chosen as the opening theme for the Fuji TV anime Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Swordsman Romantic Story, and it became a major hit, reaching No.
2 on the Oricon singles chart.
Her image of singing while playing an acoustic guitar left a strong impression and went on to greatly influence later female singer-songwriters who perform with acoustic guitar.
FRAGILEKawamoto Makoto
This is a ballad produced by Yasuyuki Okamura—the first time in four years since “Ai no Sainō”—crediting him under the alias Eitaro Isono.
Featuring live strings and gospel-style chorus in the outro, it’s an epic track that runs an almost unthinkable 11 minutes.
sparklingKawamoto Makoto
If you listen to this song, I think you’ll understand her talent—she’s truly a prodigy.
This is a song that surely only she could sing.
It feels like one wrong step and it might sound like a chaotic mess, yet I’m captivated by her sense of balance that makes it all so pleasing.
DNAKawamoto Makoto
A song said to have established her image as a female singer who plays guitar.
Although her guitar-playing presence is striking, she originally started as a pianist.
Keeping the acoustic feel of the previous release, it has that catchy Makoto Kawamoto charm.
The title is an abbreviation of “I hate DNA but I love you.”
yakisoba breadKawamoto Makoto
A track included on a debut album that entered the Oricon charts at No.
1 and sold over one million copies.
The lyrics seem to depict the school life of what is likely a high school girl, carrying a slightly melancholy tone, and the title appears to refer to a lunch eaten alone.
The contrast with the song’s fast-paced arrangement is noteworthy.