[Song of Shimane] Izumo, Matsue, Tsuwano... Exquisite masterpieces depicting Shimane

filamentOfisharu Higedan Dism

Official HIGE DANDism’s Izumo Ekiden broadcast theme song “Filament” Special Video 2024 Ver. <Fuji TV Official>

This is a rousing song by Official HIGE DANDism, a piano-pop band formed at Shimane University.

Set to an expansive melody, it sings of people who single-mindedly keep running toward their goals and of the radiant bonds that connect them with their teammates.

This work is the first co-written piece by drummer Masaki Matsuura and vocalist Satoshi Fujihara.

Included on the acclaimed 2021 August release “Editorial,” it served as the theme song for the Izumo All-Japan University Select Ekiden, a relay road race held in Shimane Prefecture, and moved many listeners.

Against the backdrop of their hometown scenery, it’s a song that gently embraces everyone chasing their dreams.

Shimanekko’s BI-HA-DANCEshimanekko

It's Shimane-kko's BI-HA-DANCE, meow★

This dance number is packed with the energetic charm of Shimanekko, Shimane Prefecture’s tourism character.

The piece stands out with a bright, catchy melody that makes your heart skip just by listening.

The lyrics carry a positive message: let’s have fun dancing and shine from within.

Released in May 2020 to celebrate Shimanekko’s 10th anniversary, the song was also featured in a prefecture-sponsored commemorative video project.

It’s a local tune that makes you feel wrapped in the warm appeal of Shimane.

Shimane Prefecture Residents’ Song “Pale Purple Mountain Range”Sakushi: Yoneyama Harusaku / Sakkyoku: Koseki Yuji

Shimane Prefectural Anthem “Pale Purple Mountain Range” with Subtitles & Lyrics

This work, composed by Yuji Koseki—one of the most iconic composers of the Showa era—serves as a symbol of Shimane Prefecture.

The lyrics, brimming with hometown pride, were written by Osamu Yoneyama, a bank employee, and selected from 324 submissions in a public contest.

The melody evokes the grandeur of the Chugoku Mountains and the Sea of Japan, as well as the hopes for the future of the people who live there—it really resonates, doesn’t it? The piece was recorded in March 1952 with vocals by Ichiro Fujiyama, later covered by Kiyotaka Tachikawa, and has deeply taken root among the prefecture’s residents.

Since January 2021, it has also been featured in the prefecture’s image commercials.

For those from Shimane, listening to it will surely stir powerful feelings for their hometown.

Woman of IwamiNagai Yuko

Woman of Iwami

Set against the World Heritage Site of the Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine, this song portrays the poignant feelings of a woman’s unrequited love.

It is performed by Yuko Nagai, known for her local enka repertoire.

The lyrics are sprinkled with imagery unique to the Iwami region, such as the singing sands of Kotogahama and the inns of Yunotsu, and they express the helpless longing of a woman who cannot forget a past love, carried by a gentle, soulful melody.

Released in June 2012 as the official commemorative single marking the fifth anniversary of Iwami Ginzan’s inscription as a World Heritage Site, this piece resonates deeply not only with those who wish to reminisce about Shimane’s beautiful landscapes, but also with anyone who wants to immerse themselves in a bittersweet love story.

Melancholy Lake ShinjiKatsura Ryūshi

Shinji Lake of Melancholy: Reprint

This is the debut song of enka singer Ryushi Katsura from Matsue City in Shimane Prefecture.

Set against the backdrop of Lake Shinji at dusk, it richly portrays the sorrow of parting from a beloved and the steadfast resolve to wait forever.

The gentle lake breeze and the sunset scenery mirror the protagonist’s heart, leaving a deep impression on listeners.

Released in 1983, the song was re-recorded with orchestral accompaniment for the 35th anniversary of his debut, and it remains a cherished classic to this day.

For those living away from their hometown, it likely conjures up vivid images of Shimane’s beautiful landscapes and stirs a warm sense of nostalgia.

Melancholy Oku-IzumoShimizu Hiromasa

Melancholy Oku-Izumo

This is a song set in Okuizumo, Shimane Prefecture, performed by Hiromasa Shimizu, whose soul-stirring voice is his hallmark.

Released in August 2013 as his seventh single, the lyrics mention place names such as the Kisuki Line and the Hii River, intertwining the poignancy of a journey to visit a beloved person with beautiful scenery.

The melancholic melody composed by Tetsuya Gen, the composer who discovered Shimizu, makes the story even more dramatic.

Since January 2016, Hiromasa Shimizu has also served as a PR ambassador for Unnan City.

His singing serves as a bridge, conveying the charm of Shimane’s natural and cultural landscape to the entire country.

Hinomisaki LighthouseOka Midori

Midori Oka - Hinomisaki Lighthouse (PV) - Enka Hyakusen

The pure-white Hinomisaki Lighthouse towers near Izumo Taisha in Izumo City, Shimane Prefecture.

Hinomisaki Lighthouse is a song by Midori Oka that overlays a poignant feeling of love onto the scenery of this sightseeing spot, known for its chalk-white lighthouse that boasts the greatest height in Japan.

Calling their name, waiting no matter how long, yet never being able to meet again—the feelings that have nowhere to go for a beloved person… If you carry painful memories of love, you may find yourself deeply resonating with this song.