Ichirō Fujiyama Popular Song Ranking [2026]

Heijō-yamaFujiyama Ichirō15rank/position

Heijō-yama

It’s a classic brimming with historical romance, its resonant, far-reaching vocals by Ichiro Fujiyama soaking into the heart.

Grounded in classical technique, his deeply expressive singing evokes the timeless flow of the ancient capital, Nara.

The solemn melody and warm voice pair exquisitely with the grand vistas of Heijō-kyō and the gentle passage of time.

Even without specific place names, the song has the power to conjure up each listener’s own vision of Nara.

Many will likely feel a sense of nostalgia, as if leafing through a tale of history.

Patriotic MarchFujiyama Ichirō16rank/position

Patriotic March

Composed by Tokichi Setoguchi, who also wrote the Naval March (Gunkan March), this Aikoku Koshinkyoku (Patriotic March) became a nationally beloved song and was effectively called Japan’s second national anthem.

Accompanied by a valiant fanfare, its powerful lyrics and beautiful vocals resound.

The lyrics of Aikoku Koshinkyoku were solicited by public contest as a “national song that the people should love and sing forever” under the first Konoe cabinet.

They were written by Yukio Morikawa, who worked at a printing shop in Tottori.

The composition was also chosen by contest, with Tokichi Setoguchi—composer of the Naval March—selected.

There is a similar piece titled March ‘Aikoku’ (Patriotism), but that is a different work intended for performance by military bands.

The trio section of March ‘Aikoku’ incorporates the melody of this piece, and both were widely cherished.

It’s such a bright and vigorous song that hearing it really lifts your spirits!

Nostalgic BoleroFujiyama Ichirō17rank/position

Ichirō Fujiyama - Nostalgic Bolero (Classical Kayōkyoku)

Released in September of 1939 (Showa 14), Nostalgic Bolero is a kayōkyoku song by Showa-era national singer Ichiro Fujiwara.

The lyrics and certain elements seem to evoke images of Hawaii and the islands of the South Seas.

Alongside sensual musical qualities and touches reminiscent of flamenco, it may also have been conceived with Polynesia in mind—cultures with impromptu dance-song traditions featuring waltz-like rhythms, handclaps, percussion, and stringed instruments.

Yet the result is something quite different: a thoroughly Japanese kayōkyoku number.

The impression is of a gentleman who embraces these diverse cultures and conveys them to younger generations through his own Japanese-language song.

Why not experience the appeal of bolero as expressed through Showa-era kayōkyoku?

A Man’s Pure HeartFujiyama Ichirō18rank/position

The Vocals of the People's Honor Award: A Man’s Pure Heart / Ichirō Fujiyama

How lonely a man’s path can be.

I feel that keenly.

A woman can never truly understand a man, and of course the reverse is also true, but I think the loneliness men carry is so much deeper than women’s that it can become a song like this.

A woman’s loneliness, it seems to me, almost inevitably involves heartbreak.

Though the white roses bloomFujiyama Ichirō19rank/position

Though White Roses Bloom — Ichirō Fujiyama

With its upbeat tempo and the fashionable, modern words found in its lyrics, the popular song of the time “Even Though the White Roses Bloom” was a hit composed by Masao Koga with lyrics by Sonosuke Sato.

It served as the theme song for the 1937 film of the same title, performed by Ichiro Fujiyama, famed for “Blue Mountain Range.” His resonant, classically trained vocals are especially captivating.

Graduating at the top of his class from Tokyo College of Music, Fujiyama later became a beloved national singer with numerous major hits.

Closely aligned with the film’s storyline, this contemporary popular tune rhythmically expresses a faint, budding love, and it was cherished by many.

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Byakkotai (White Tiger Corps)Fujiyama Ichirō20rank/position

Byakkotai — Ichiro Fujiyama

Along with the tide of the Meiji Restoration, the tragic Byakkotai—boys of 16 or 17 who, driven by a desire to protect their homeland of Aizu, went to the battlefield and ultimately took their own lives—are famous throughout Japan.

Although the lyrics themselves use quite difficult language, phrases such as “fair and tender-faced” boys and “rain of blood” vividly evoke the horrific circumstances.

Is sake tears or a sigh?Fujiyama Ichirō21rank/position

Is sake tears or a sigh?

Ichiro Fujiyama’s song “Is Sake Tears or Sighs?” captivates with a musical style that beautifully expresses the dual nature of sorrow from heartbreak and the comfort found in alcohol.

The more the protagonist drinks, the deeper his sadness grows—an emotion that truly strikes a chord.

Released in 1931, the song was also used as the theme for the Shochiku film “A Woman of Many Memories.” Its wistful melody and realistic lyrics resonated deeply with people of the time.

Sing this at karaoke, and you may find yourself laying bare life’s sorrows along with your drink.