[2026] A roundup of popular theme and opening songs from TV period dramas

In a dreamKobayashi Akira

Akira Kobayashi “In a Dream” (Official Audio)

Among the many TV period dramas in the Hissatsu series, Edo Professional: Hissatsu Shōbainin is known for its hard-boiled style—and this theme song graces its ending.

With lyrics by Yū Aku and music by Kōichi Morita, it was released as a single in February 1978.

Akira Kobayashi’s signature deep, rugged voice is fully showcased, perfectly linking with the drama’s weighty worldview.

While the song falls under enka and kayōkyoku, it is characterized by a spoken, intimate delivery without excessive kobushi or vibrato.

Its build toward the chorus is superb, carrying rising emotion that will resonate especially with adults acquainted with life’s bitterness.

A masterpiece recommended for quiet nights, sipping a drink alone and savoring the lingering afterglow of the story.

Eve FestivalSatomi Kotarō

Yoimatsuri by Kotaro Satomi

It’s a song whose lyrical, emotionally rich words and melody resonate deeply, vividly conjuring the sights of a festival night.

The lyrics were written by singer-songwriter Kei Ogura, who delicately portrays feelings like the loneliness and warmth that exist alongside the splendor.

Kotaro Satomi’s deep, composed voice further heightens the lingering afterglow of the story.

Released as a single in July 1990, it was used as the theme song for Nippon TV’s period drama “Nagashichirō Edo Nikki: Season 3.” Satomi, who stars in the series, performs the song himself, and it has long been cherished as a piece that unites perfectly with the drama’s world.

It’s a classic you’ll want to play on nights when you wish to quietly settle your heart after enjoying a rousing tale.

Spinning Wheel of MemoriesMitamura Kunihiko

Omoide No Itoguruma

A landmark entry in the Hissatsu series, the popular period drama “Shin Hissatsu Shigotonin” stars Makoto Fujita.

Premiering in May 1981, the show featured Kunihiko Mitamura as Hidetada the ornamental artisan, a role that catapulted him to fame.

This is the ending theme sung by Mitamura himself.

The lyrics, which liken the sorrows of men living in Edo’s underworld and their unbreakable passions to a spinning wheel, perfectly mirror the drama’s weighty atmosphere.

Many viewers likely found the story’s lingering afterglow etched even deeper because one of the cast members performed the song.

Its wistful yet beautiful melody is ideal for listening alone over a quiet night’s drink.

Celebrated as a Showa-era kayō classic that moves even those who aren’t period-drama fans, it continues to be passed down through the years.

daylilyNakaijō Kiyoshi

daylily

Hissatsu Shigotonin III is a popular period drama that aired starting in October 1982, depicting the exploits of a team of assassins led by Makoto Fujita.

Many viewers were likely captivated by Kiyoshi Nakajo’s portrayal of Yuji, the shamisen player who dispatches villains with elegant finesse using strings.

The insert song featured in Yuji’s appearances and other scenes was the single “Wasuregusa,” released in 1982.

Its wistful melody by Takashi Miki intertwines with Nakajo’s sweet yet husky vocals, vividly reflecting the hard-edged world of the drama.

It’s a perfect track not only for recalling the show’s iconic moments, but also for savoring as a soulful kayōkyoku on a quiet night with a drink in hand.

Smile at meSatomi Kotarō

Smile at me Satomi Kotaro

Starring Kotarō Satomi, an actor who epitomizes the jidaigeki genre, and thrilling audiences with his elegant dual-sword fighting, the Nippon TV drama Choshichiro Edo Nikki featured this song as the ending theme for its first series, which began airing in October 1983.

Released as a single in November 1983, it is also well known for its lyrics by Toyohisa Araki and composition by Masao Hirao.

Kotarō Satomi’s sweet, resonant voice echoes with a warmth that embraces parting and loneliness, imprinting itself deeply on viewers’ hearts.

It’s the perfect song for quietly reflecting at the end of a day after enjoying a rousing tale of good triumphing over evil, or for immersing yourself in the nostalgic ambiance of the Showa era.

Taiheiki Main ThemeSaegusa Shigeaki

[Nostalgic Drama] Taiheiki “The Burning of Kamakura” Opening Theme

Set against the turmoil of the Northern and Southern Courts period, the 1991 NHK Taiga drama “Taiheiki” portrays the tumultuous life of Ashikaga Takauji.

Its opening theme—composed by Shigeaki Saegusa, a versatile creator of everything from opera to film music—immediately swept viewers into the currents of history.

The piece interweaves a rich orchestral sound with the timbres of gagaku instruments, beautifully expressing both the valor of the samurai and the melancholy of the era.

It is included on the soundtrack album NHK Taiga Drama ‘Taiheiki’ no Ongaku, released in September 1991, featuring the powerful performance of the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra.

Its dignified yet dramatic melody is a track you might turn to when facing a crossroads in life or when you want to quietly compose your heart at night.

Man of FireKitajima Saburō

Man of Fire

This work features a bold, stirring melody worthy of closing a period drama.

Saburo Kitajima’s powerful yet warm vocals brilliantly convey a man’s way of life and resolve, offering a reassuring push that steels the listener’s back.

Released as a single in January 1982, it has been beloved for many years as the theme song for TV Asahi’s popular period drama “Abarenbo Shogun: Yoshimune Hyoban-ki.” Kitajima himself also appeared in the series as Tatsugoro of the Megumi, making the show’s world and the song deeply intertwined—one of its greatest appeals.

The lyrics depict an indomitable spirit that faces adversity, making it a song sure to inspire courage in anyone feeling uncertain at work or at a crossroads in life.