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

Onihei Crime RecordsKinoshita Tadashi

Hasegawa Heizō: Onihei Hankachō (1980) – Opening Theme, composed by Chuji Kinoshita

This is the theme song of the TV period drama Onihei Hankachō, based on Shōtarō Ikenami’s historical novel of the same name.

This drama is one of the long-beloved stories, and its protagonist, Heizō Hasegawa, has been portrayed by an impressive lineup: the 8th Matsumoto Kōshirō, Kinnosuke Yorozuya, and the 2nd Nakamura Kichiemon.

Zenigata HeijiKitaōji Kin’ya

1990: Zenigata Heiji

This is the theme song from all seven series of Zenigata Heiji, starring Kinya Kitaoji.

Sung in Kitaoji’s gentle voice, this theme song grabs your heart and sticks in your head after just one listen.

It seems like it would feel great to sing it pleasantly while soaking in the bath.

Ōoka Echizen Main ThemeYamashita Takeo

Ōoka Echizen Opening

This is the opening theme song of the period drama Ooka Echizen, which features Ooka Tadasuke, the South Magistrate of Edo during the Kyōhō era, as its protagonist.

The melody is performed with violin, whistling, and female chorus, making it a rather unusual piece for a jidaigeki theme.

The whistling is performed by the composer himself, Takeo Yamashita.

Hattori Hanzō: Shadow Warriors Main ThemesupeKUTORAMU

Hattori Hanzo: Shadow Warriors Main Theme

These are the opening theme songs for Hattori Hanzo: Kage no Gundan and Kage no Gundan II and III, performed by the brass rock band SPECTRUM, which took the nation by storm.

The lead role, the third-generation Hattori Hanzo played by Shinichi Chiba (Sonny Chiba), presents a public face as the good-natured, shogi-loving proprietor of the bathhouse “Kiji no Yu,” while secretly, at times in league with Aizu domain lord Masayuki Hoshina, he vanquishes evildoers in this period drama.

The razor-sharp brass sound further stirs the emotions of viewers.

wishSaigō Teruhiko

Teruhiko Saigō “Negai (Theme Song of Edo o Kiru 3)” (Official Audio)

A song with a poignant yet warm melody remains memorable as the theme of a popular period drama.

Its lyrics, portraying people who live with fragility, hope, and inner conflict, harmonize beautifully with the drama’s worldview.

Released in August 1976, the song was used as the opening theme from Part 3 of “Edo o Kiru,” which aired the same year, and it received strong support from viewers.

Teruhiko Saigō’s delicate yet powerful vocals further enhanced the drama’s appeal.

When you feel lost in life, why not listen to this song and let its warmth gently embrace your heart?

The Three Swordsmen Slash! Main ThemeKobayashi Asei

Three Swordsmen Slash! Main Theme by Asei Kobayashi, from the TV Soundtrack Anthology [Background Music for Work]

This is the opening theme song of the refreshing, feel-good period drama “Sanbiki ga Kiru!” It’s about three ronin traveling separately who happen to come together over a single incident and team up to cut down evil.

The nicknamed “Tonosama” is played by Hideki Takahashi, “Sengoku” by Koji Yakusho, and “Tako” by Shunpûtei Koasa.

With modern, conversational language, it’s a period drama that’s easy to get into.

Someone in the windKamijō Tsunehiko

Someone in the wind: Kogarashi Monjirō

This is the theme song of the TV period drama “Kogarashi Monjirō,” based on Saho Sasazawa’s wandering-swordsman historical novels.

Born into a poor farming family in Mikazuki Village, Nitta District of Jōshū, Monjirō narrowly escaped being culled thanks to his sister’s quick thinking, yet spent an unhappy childhood branded as a ‘failed cull.’ He set off on the road at the tender age of ten.

The song conveys, with striking directness, the yearning feeling that ‘someone, somewhere, is waiting for me.’