Popularity Ranking of Rentaro Taki’s Songs [2026]

Autumn MoonSakushi sakkyoku: Taki Rentarō11rank/position

Rentaro Taki: “Autumn Moon”

Another moon-themed song by Rentaro Taki, who composed the famous Kojo no Tsuki, is Aki no Tsuki (Autumn Moon).

This piece is the autumn section from his song cycle Shiki (Four Seasons), which portrays the seasons throughout the year.

While the lyrics for the other seasons were written by different lyricists, Taki himself wrote the words for this song.

It expresses the feeling that, although the moon always seems to shine the same, the autumn moon alone somehow has a slightly different atmosphere that stirs various emotions.

Be sure to listen to this one alongside Kojo no Tsuki!

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SAKI

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The skylark sings.Sakushi: Azuma Kume / Sakkyoku: Taki Rentaro12rank/position

The skylark sings.

This song evokes the gentle atmosphere of spring and is truly perfect for the season around May.

The skylark mentioned in the title and lyrics is also said to be a bird that heralds spring.

Singing a song so full of spring might make you want to go look for skylarks or go see flowers that bloom in spring.

By the way, due to urbanization and the resulting decrease in green spaces like fields and meadows, skylarks have become difficult to spot nowadays.

It might be nice to try looking for them in a nature-rich place during Golden Week while singing this song.

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SAKI

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Kachi-Kachi MountainTaki Rentarō13rank/position

Kachi-Kachi Mountain

A song inspired by the folk tale “Kachi-Kachi Yama.” It was composed by one of Japan’s most renowned musicians, Rentaro Taki.

The opening part of the original tale is not included.

The reason the rabbit did something so cruel is that a mischievous raccoon dog killed the elderly woman who had been caring for it.

Yes, this song captures the entire process of revenge.

Thinking of it that way makes it rather chilling.

By the way, Kachi-Kachi Yama is said to be set on Mount Tenno, near Lake Kawaguchi in Yamanashi Prefecture.

If you’re curious, why not visit it at least once?

regretTaki Rentarō14rank/position

Rentaro Taki – Posthumous Work – Grudge (Regret) / Rentaro Taki – Regret – Eiko Okuno

The posthumous work of Rentarō Taki, famed for his children’s songs.

He was also the first Japanese composer to write a piano solo piece, and this work is likewise for piano.

The title may sound ominous, but the music unfolds with a sad yet beautiful melody, as if sublimating the regret brought on by illness.

regretTaki Rentarō15rank/position

resentment (uramI)

Rentaro Taki, who composed children’s songs and art songs that every Japanese person knows—such as “Kojo no Tsuki” (Moon Over Ruined Castle) and “Oshogatsu” (New Year)—left an indelible mark on the history of Japanese music.

Although he died far too young at the age of 23, his best-known works are the songs mentioned at the outset.

Yet in the dawn of Western music in Japan during the Meiji era, Taki was deeply influenced by German music and studied in Germany as the third Japanese musician sent to Europe.

He also became the first Japanese composer to write a piano solo piece, the “Minuet.” The piece introduced here, “Kan” (Regret), is one of Taki’s rare piano works and effectively his final composition.

Characterized by a beautiful yet faintly wistful melody, “Kan” is said—just as its title suggests—to embody Taki’s poignant feelings as he sensed his own approaching death.

One can’t help but wonder how the history of music in Japan and the world might have unfolded if Taki had lived longer; it may be worthwhile to listen to this piece while imagining such possibilities.

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KOH-1

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MoonTaki Rentarō16rank/position

The Moon (Autumn Moon) / Rentaro Taki Michiko Tai

There are many children’s songs with the moon as their theme, but among them, “Tsuki” composed by Rentarō Taki is perhaps especially famous.

Although Taki is known as a composer, he actually wrote the lyrics for this “Tsuki” as well.

Picture the moon floating in the autumn sky and give it a listen.