Popularity Ranking of Takeshi Hei Yoshikuni’s Songs [2026]

Rather than “The Carnival Has Come,” it went, “There were two mischievous kittens.”Hirayoshi Takeshu8rank/position

[Piano Duo First Step] 39. There Were Two Mischievous Kittens (Takashi Hikyoku) Piano Duet Classical

This is “There Were Two Mischievous Kittens,” an original piano duet by a Japanese composer from the collection “The Carnival Has Arrived.” In our videos for intermediate players, we’ve often featured fun, cool, and up-tempo pieces, but this one has many calm and beautiful passages and is easy to play, making it a great recommendation for intermediates.

As the title “There Were Two Mischievous Kittens” suggests, the character of the music reflects that image.

Because the musical expression is easy to grasp, intermediate players should be able to perform it comfortably.

It’s also recommended as an encore piece for concerts.

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sai-kisaragi

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Rainbow Rhythm No. 25: “Tulips’ Line Dance”Hirayoshi Takeshu9rank/position

Takamichi Hiyakichi / Rainbow Rhythm 25. Tulip Line Dance / Performed by: Asuka Sakuma

Kiyoshi Hiraishi’s “Tulip Line Dance” features a lively rhythm and bright melody that evoke tulips fluttering in the wind.

It’s an ideal piece for elementary school piano students, allowing them to develop a sense of rhythm and expressiveness while having fun through performance.

To depict the dancing tulips, it’s important to skillfully alternate between staccato and legato.

It’s by no means an easy piece, but taking on the challenge will surely be a step toward improvement.

From the children’s piano collection ‘Rainbow Rhythm,’ No. 22: ‘Fallen Leaves Dancing in the Autumn Light’Hirayoshi Takeshu10rank/position

Falling leaves dance in the autumn light (composed by Takekuni Hirayoshi) Pianist Kanako Ishihara: The Falling Leaves Dance in the Autumn Rays (Takekuni Hirayoshi)

Kiyoshi Hiyoshi, a Japanese composer who created many works for children, including solo and choral pieces, also wrote piano music for young players.

“Falling Leaves in the Autumn Light” is one of those pieces.

Included in the piano collection for children Rhythm of the Rainbow, this work evokes the image of a child watching the colorful leaves scatter with a faint sense of melancholy.

It is a piece in which one wants to quietly savor the beauty of the melody while imagining leaves dancing on the wind.

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yuri

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Ride a hot air balloon to the ends of the earthHirayoshi Takeshu11rank/position

Riding a Balloon to Anywhere / Lupin the Third Theme — Chorus and Ensemble at Masuda Elementary School’s 60th Tanegashima Nakatanegashima Town School Music Festival

The clapping in the chorus is striking, isn’t it? This is the popular choral piece “Kikyū ni Notte Doko made mo” (Riding a Balloon to Anywhere), composed by Takeshi Hiyoshi with lyrics by Tatsuo Azuma.

Just like in the song, there are times when you suddenly feel like going somewhere far away for no particular reason, right? It makes you wonder what might be beyond that sky… That sense of excitement really comes through in the lyrics and the melody.

When people think of choral songs, some may strongly associate them with tear-jerking graduation tunes, but uplifting, hope-filled pieces like this are wonderful too.

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Araki Jakkan

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Ride a hot air balloon to the ends of the earthSakushi: Azuma Tatsuo / Sakkyoku: Hirayoshi Takeyasu12rank/position

Riding in a balloon, off to anywhere — lyrics by Tatsuo Higashi, music by Takeshi Yoshizu — Let’s Go in a Balloon

This is a two-part unison children’s choral piece that was selected as the set piece for the elementary school division of NHK’s National School Music Competition in 1974.

A three-part mixed chorus version has also been produced.

It is mainly sung in elementary schools and appears in textbooks, so it is a very well-known song.

The handclaps that come in during the first chorus are light and feel pleasant.

A puppet’s solo performanceHirayoshi Takeshu13rank/position

Takashi Hira, Solo Puppet Play (from the piano collection for children “Rainbow Rhythm”) — Tomoko Watanabe (piano)

A piece included in Takashige Hiraishi’s piano collection for children, “Niji no Rhythm” (Rainbow Rhythm).

Propelled by a distinctive rhythm, it moves forward with great energy while also giving a somewhat comical impression—making it perfect for bright, lively children! Its unique melody and light, nimble rhythm, depicting a lone marionette performing on stage, leave an unforgettable impact after just one listen.

With sections that feel like duple meter mixed with triple meter and intricate rests in the left hand, it offers plenty of rewarding challenges in practice.

To perform it stylishly at a recital, start by mastering the rhythms with hands separate.

One MorningHirayoshi Takeshu14rank/position

9th Grade Chorus: One Morning ♪

As the set piece for the 1978 NHK National School Music Competition (High School Division), versions for mixed chorus (SATB), male chorus (TTBB), and female chorus (SSA) were released.

After the competition, a mixed three-part version for junior high school students was also created.

Later, two songs—“Toki no Kariudo” (Hunter of Time) and “Ki yo” (O Tree)—were added, and the work became the choral suite “Hitotsu no Asa” (One Morning).