Enthralling mood kayō: A collection of classic Showa-era songs
Suddenly, but what kind of image do you all have of “mood kayō” (mood ballads)?
If you’re from a younger generation, you may not have even heard of the genre “mood kayō” in the first place.
Born in the postwar era, mood kayō is, as the name suggests, a form of kayōkyoku (Japanese popular song), but its definition is actually quite ambiguous.
You could say it’s a genre that values sentiment—indeed, the very “mood”—more than strictly musical elements.
This time, we’re focusing on this uniquely alluring, adult music born of the Shōwa era—mood kayō—and have gathered some representative classics.
Whether you’re a young music fan curious about Shōwa-era kayōkyoku or someone who lived through those times, please enjoy!
- Cool songs from the Showa era. Masterpieces from Showa that shine with sensuality, passion, and rugged charm.
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- [Recommended for people in their 70s] Songs that really move you. Beloved classic Japanese hits of the past.
- [Classic Showa Kayō Hits] The captivating Showa-era pop songs beloved even by younger generations
- Showa-era nostalgic songs: Popular ranking
- A roundup of classic Showa-era kayō songs: a comprehensive introduction to timeless tracks loved across generations.
- Just listening to it purifies the heart... A healing song born in the Showa era.
- Heart-touching, tear-jerking masterpieces from the Showa era
- Recommended love songs for people in their 80s: A collection of classic love songs that colored the Showa era
- Tear-jerking songs recommended for men in their 60s: classic and popular Japanese hits
- So nostalgic it feels new? Showa retro classics that colored Japan’s period of rapid economic growth
- The nostalgic atmosphere tugs at your heartstrings. Tear-jerker songs from the Showa era.
- [Tearjerker] Songs that make your heart tremble with tears & moving tracks with lyrics that touch the soul
Enchanting mood kayō. A collection of Showa-era masterpieces (81–90)
Tangled HairMisora Hibari
This is a single released by Hibari Misora in 1987, a song set at the Shioyasaki Lighthouse located in the Usuiso area of Taira, Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture.
An album with the same title was also released in 1988.
The key is set so that the chorus is sung in falsetto, and it is said that the composer, Toru Funamura, provided the song because he favored Misora’s high notes (falsetto).
I miss you so muchSono Mari
It was released in 1966 as Mari Sono’s 19th single.
With lyrics by Tokiko Iwatani and music by Tai Miyagawa, it is one of Mari Sono’s signature songs.
That same year, a Nikkatsu film of the same title—featuring Mari Sono herself in a singer role—was released.
The song has been covered by many artists and is regarded as one of her representative works.
brandy glassIshihara Yūjirō
This is a single released by Yūjirō Ishihara in 1977.
Although it initially sold very little, it gained nationwide attention after a scene aired on the TV Asahi drama “Seibu Keisatsu,” in which Ishihara himself, who played Inspector Kenzo Kogure, performed the song.
It won the Long Seller Award at the 23rd Japan Record Awards and became a hit, selling over 1.52 million copies.
In conclusion
As I mentioned at the beginning, the very definition of “mood kayō” is vague, and what qualifies as mood kayō depends on each person’s sensibilities.
Still, it’s strange how listening to the songs I introduced this time makes you feel, “This is exactly mood kayō.” It’s a distinctly Showa-era adult world—somewhat dandy, tinged with sensuality—different from both enka and J-pop.
If this piqued your interest, try digging into what you consider to be mood kayō!