[Special Feature on the Yo-na-nuki Scale] Hit Songs and Classics That Evoke Nostalgia and a Sense of Wa (Japanese Aesthetics)

When cherry-blossom hues danceNEW!Nakajima Mika

Mika Nakashima 'Sakurairo Maukoro' Music Video

Mika Nakashima’s 14th single.

Written by singer-songwriter Minako Kawae, who was inspired by Nakashima’s voice and reportedly completed it in just one day, this song is notable for lyrics that depict the changing seasons and the inner landscapes of lovers.

It was released in February 2005 and is also included on the album “MUSIC.” Its yonanuki (pentatonic) melody, carried by piano and strings, beautifully expresses the spring scene of dancing cherry blossoms and a poignant sense of longing.

The nostalgic quality of traditional Japanese melody gently enfolds the melancholy of the season of parting, making it a quintessential ballad that symbolizes spring in Japan.

Soap bubbleNEW!Nagabuchi Tsuyoshi

Soap bubble

Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi’s 24th single, which became a million-seller, was produced as the theme song for the television drama of the same name in which he starred.

Released in October 1991, it is also included on the acclaimed album “JAPAN.” Characterized by a rugged folk-rock sound, the song depicts people doing their best to live while wounded in a corner of the city.

Notably, its melody throughout employs the yo scale (a pentatonic scale omitting the fourth and seventh degrees).

By embedding a distinctly Japanese five-tone scale within the acoustic guitar timbre and rock arrangement, the track evokes a powerful sense of melancholy and nostalgia.

The strong will to keep pursuing one’s dreams despite vulnerability resonates all the more deeply with Japanese listeners through the yo-scale sonority that strikes a cultural chord.

monsterNEW!YOASOBI

YOASOBI “Monster” Official Music Video (YOASOBI – Monster)

A track released digitally in January 2021 by the music duo YOASOBI, who enjoy immense support both in Japan and abroad.

Chosen as the opening theme for season 2 of the TV anime BEASTARS, the song features lyrics depicting inner conflict swaying between instinct and reason, paired with a dark, fast-paced sound that leaves a strong impression.

Amid its aggressive beats, a melody incorporating the yonanuki scale creates a catchy quality that resonates with Japanese listeners.

By fusing contemporary production with a traditional sense of scale, the song deepens the anime’s worldview and could be considered a new signature piece for YOASOBI.

FlowNEW!Perfume

[Official Music Video] Perfume 「Flow」

A track by Perfume, who are active worldwide with technopop at their core.

Written and composed by Yasutaka Nakata, it’s a number that portrays a freedom like clouds floating in the sky.

The future-bass sound and the pentatonic (yo-na-nuki) melody that surfaces in the chorus create a distinctive sense of weightlessness, wrapping listeners in a curious nostalgia.

Released as a single in March 2022, it was chosen as the theme song for TBS’s Tuesday drama “Fight Song.” Refined electronic tones blend with melodies that evoke a Japanese sensibility, resulting in a number that resonates with the ever-evolving message of the group.

The softness of the yo-na-nuki scale may be what gently accompanies hearts swayed by a changing era.

RaideenNEW!Yellow Magic Orchestra

Yellow Magic Orchestra – “Rydeen“ (Official Music Video)

This is the second single by Yellow Magic Orchestra, the legendary group that brought Japanese technopop to the world.

Released in June 1980, it’s a track that has been used in numerous commercials and TV programs.

In 2007, the members reunited for a Kirin Beer commercial and performed this piece, which also drew attention.

While the music features futuristic electronic sounds, the melody composed by Yukihiro Takahashi actually incorporates the yo-nanuki (pentatonic) scale, evoking a certain nostalgic feel reminiscent of Japanese festival music.

The digital beat and Japanese sensibility blend beautifully, making it a timeless classic loved across generations.