[Showa-Era Classics] A carefully selected collection of uplifting anthems that empower people across generations
Even after all this time, the classic songs of the Showa era still resonate with many people and give us strength, don’t they?
In this article, we’ll introduce uplifting songs from among the many beloved Showa hits!
We’ve gathered a variety of anthems: songs with powerful messages that fire you up, gentle tunes that give you a soft “you can do it” push, and tracks that fill you with energy and smiles.
Whether you lived through the Showa era or belong to a generation that didn’t, you’re sure to find at least one song that speaks to you!
Be sure to add one of these to your personal collection of motivational songs.
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Showa Classics: A carefully curated selection of uplifting anthems that empower all generations (31–40)
March “Patriotism”Saitō Ushimatsu
This march, with a powerful wind band melody ringing out, was composed by Ushimatsu Saito in December 1937 for the Navy Band.
Its dignified, weighty atmosphere and the solemn lyrical melody of the middle section are beautifully balanced, and its high level of craftsmanship led to its selection as an official piece jointly adopted by the Navy and Army.
An SP record was released at the time by Polydor, featuring a performance by the Imperial Japanese Navy Band under the baton of Seigo Naitō.
From the wartime period through the postwar years, it was widely performed at ceremonies and events throughout the Asia-Pacific region and became familiar to local audiences in places like Indonesia and Palau.
The trio section incorporates Tokichi Setoguchi’s nationally beloved song “Aikoku Koshinkyoku” (Patriotic March), the composer also known for “Gunkan March.” This is a must-hear for those who wish to savor the rich sonorities and solemn melodic beauty of wind band music, as well as for anyone interested in the history of Japanese military music.
March of the Battleship ShikishimaSetoguchi Fujikichi
This majestic and valiant wind band masterpiece evokes the image of a ship cutting through the great ocean.
Created by Tokichi Setoguchi, the piece skillfully weaves a grand and powerful musical style into lyrics by poet Masaomi Saka, who was deeply impressed by the imposing presence of a battleship.
Structured in three parts using a trio form, it shifts from a bright, vigorous resonance to a somewhat lyrical atmosphere in the middle section, powerfully stirring the listener’s heart.
Since its debut in 1902, it has served an important role as a ceremonial piece of the Imperial Japanese Navy, and in 1907 it earned high acclaim through performances in sixteen European countries.
Still performed at Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force ceremonies and fleet reviews, this gem of a work embodies Japan’s traditions and pride, expressing through music the will of a maritime nation.
Meeting at ShuishiyingOkanoteiichi
The celebrated song that extols a sincere reconciliation between soldiers is a work by Teiichi Okano, included in 1910 (Meiji 43) in the fifth-year edition of the Elementary School Songbook.
While praising morale and valor, it portrays deep human compassion with the idea that “yesterday’s enemy is today’s friend,” and its message of respect and friendship toward a former foe still resonates today.
Recorded by the Barn Jacks on the album “Songs of Sorrow from the Battlefield” and featured as well in “Koichi Miura Collection: Masterpieces of Military Songs,” this piece vividly depicts raw scenes—bullet-scarred battle sites and collapsed homes—while powerfully singing of reconciliation and the wish for peace.
It is a song we especially recommend to those who wish to pass on the history of war and the preciousness of peace to the next generation, and to those who want to experience the spirit of Japan’s school songs and military songs.
The Essence of the InfantryNagai Tateko
A gem of a piece by Kenkichi Nagai that conveys the romance and spirit of the Meiji era.
Premiered in 1911 at an event of the Army Central Cadet School, this song marries the youthful lyrics of Akikatsu Kato with Nagai’s rousing, valiant touch.
Its melody—powerful yet tinged with melancholy—strikes the listener’s heart, vividly evoking the resolve of soldiers of the time and their feelings for their homeland.
It has been included on releases such as the album “Military Songs: ‘Ah, the Army’” and the CD “Military Songs and Wartime Ballads (Limited Edition Special Price).” Some may also recall a scene in the film “Oba: The Last Samurai” where this melody was used to great effect.
Recommended for those who wish to experience a chapter of Japanese history through music or who seek a stirring, powerful tune that moves the soul.
March in the SnowNagai Tateko
Born of the harsh experiences he endured on campaign during the First Sino-Japanese War, this song was composed with heartfelt sincerity by Takeko Nagai, a Japanese Army officer and composer.
Unlike the bold and heroic military songs of the time, it offers something different: it sets the soldiers’ unvarnished feelings—hunger and cold as they trudge through snow, and a crushing sense of despair—to a somewhat plaintive yet sprightly melody built on the yo (pentatonic) scale.
Believed to have been composed around February 1895, its melody can be heard on albums such as Immortal Masterpieces of Japanese Marches, Vol.
2.
It is memorably featured in the film Mount Hakkoda and the anime Girls und Panzer, where it serves as a theme that reflects both harsh circumstances and the hearts of those who endure them—lingering in the memories of many.
When you wish to reflect deeply on the power of music born of history and the stories behind it, you might quietly lend it your ear.