Heart-touching, tear-jerking masterpieces from the Showa era
When you think of tear-jerking songs from the Showa era, timeless classics come to mind, don’t they?
In this article, we’ve gathered moving masterpieces from the Showa period, including Showa kayō (pop), New Music, folk songs, and more.
Many of these songs have a relaxed tempo, letting you really listen to the lyrics—one of the charms of Showa music.
Each genre and artist has its own distinct flavor, yet they all have a gentle, lingering impact.
We’ll spotlight not only the standard classics and farewell songs, but also some uniquely moving tracks with a different edge.
Now, let’s listen to the tear-jerking masterpieces of the Showa era.
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Heart-Touching, Tear-Jerking Showa-Era Classics (11–20)
contrailMatsutōya Yumi
A song by singer-songwriter Yumi Matsutoya—affectionately known as Yuming—who drew attention in 2013 when she received the Medal with Purple Ribbon.
Released under her maiden name, Yumi Arai, the piece was created with the death of an elementary school classmate as its motif.
Years after its release, it was chosen as the theme song for Studio Ghibli’s film The Wind Rises, so many younger listeners have likely heard it at least once.
With a melody that carries a sense of wistfulness within a floating, title-evoking atmosphere, it is a true Showa-era classic that has been loved across generations.
If I’m wrapped in kindnessArai Yumi
This song, still beloved as a classic from the Showa era, captivates with its delicate melody and deep emotional expression.
Its lyrics, which portray feelings of love and gratitude, take on a different resonance when you listen again as an adult.
Included on the album MISSLIM released in October 1974, it was also used as the ending theme for the 1989 film Kiki’s Delivery Service.
Its relaxed tempo is another charm, allowing you to focus closely on the words.
It’s a recommended track for moments when you want to reflect on your feelings for someone special in a calm atmosphere.
Wrapped in Yumi Arai’s gentle vocals, why not spend a heartwarming moment?
It’s a sad color, isn’t it?Ueda Masaki
Released in 1982, this song is memorable for its Osaka-dialect lyrics.
Although its initial sales were sluggish, growing requests on cable radio boosted its popularity, and the following year it became a major hit, reaching No.
5 on the Oricon chart—a classic by Masaki Ueda.
The lyrics, told from a Kansai-dialect female perspective, poignantly depict a couple on the verge of breaking up.
On a seaside with rain approaching, the woman’s pain—unable even to cry—strikes a chord.
Evoking both the end of love and the fleeting nature of youth, this piece deeply resonates with anyone who has experienced heartbreak.
Red Sweet PeaMatsuda Seiko
This song performed by Seiko Matsuda is a poignant masterpiece of a ballad that slowly seeps into the heart.
The lyrics beautifully intertwine spring scenery with the ache of unrequited love, striking a deep chord.
Matsuda’s clear, soaring vocals capture the delicate feelings of a girl in love with nothing left out.
Released in February 1982 as her eighth single, it became a major hit and was also chosen as the ending theme for the popular TV program “Music Fair.” It’s a recommended track not only for those troubled by love, but also for moments when you want to feel your feelings for someone special.
Let’s Do the ‘Strawberry Statement’ Once Morebanban
Spun by Ban Ban, this work is known as a classic that warmly embraces the hearts of young people of the Showa era.
Released in 1975—six years after the Yasuda Auditorium incident at the University of Tokyo, a symbol of the student movement—it resonated with the youth of the time, even reaching No.
1 on the Oricon charts.
Penned with the delicate touch of the then–early-twenties Yumi Matsutoya, the lyrics poignantly capture the feelings of a woman looking back on memories with a lover immersed in the student movement.
This piece is recommended for those who feel nostalgia for their bygone youth or who want to revisit memories with someone dear.
It’s lovely to listen to alone on a quiet night, and just as nice to play with someone special while reminiscing about old times.
The Scent of CyclamenFuse Akira
The classic song released in 1975 was written and composed by Kei Ogura.
Akira Fuse’s expansive vocals beautifully convey a love story depicted through the motif of cyclamen flowers.
From meeting to parting, the scenes are vividly portrayed alongside the changing colors of the blossoms, resonating deeply with listeners.
The song was a major hit immediately after its release, reaching No.
1 on the Oricon charts and winning numerous music awards.
It was also included on the album “From the Scent of Cyclamen,” earning support from a wide range of listeners.
It’s a highly recommended track that will touch the hearts of those who feel the fragility of love and the ache of loss.
Moving, Tear-Jerking Masterpieces from the Showa Era (21–30)
youKozaka Akiko
This is the debut single by Akiko Kosaka, a singer-songwriter who showcases her multifaceted talents as a pianist, composer, lyricist, and music director, and who also runs a voice training school.
The song won the Grand Prix at the Yamaha Popular Song Contest when she was 16, and it became her signature number as her debut single.
The lyrics imagine a future with a precious person she has lost in love; paired with her delicate yet powerful vocals, they make your heart ache.
It is also known as the first million-seller by a female composer in the J-pop scene, and stands as a classic representing the Showa era.