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

Songs that use the “yo-na-nuki” pentatonic scale, which evokes a distinctly Japanese mood and sense of harmony.

There are so many classic tunes like that all around us!

From massive hits everyone knows to timeless masterpieces passed down through generations.

The yo-na-nuki scale is a five-note scale that omits the 4th and 7th degrees.

It was advocated by Shūji Izawa, an educator from the Meiji era, and spread as a stepping stone to familiarize people with Western music.

It’s widely used in everything from children’s songs and enka to modern J-pop.

Many people probably find themselves soothed by that somewhat nostalgic, old-timey feeling it brings.

Here, we’ll carefully select and introduce famous songs that use the yo-na-nuki scale, including some newer tracks!

Let’s dive into the world of the yo-na-nuki scale!