[Spring Songs Born in the Showa Era] A Curated Selection of Kayōkyoku That Colored the Times and Timeless Classics Still Sung Today
When the first reports of cherry blossoms start to arrive, is there a melody you find yourself humming without thinking?Spring is a season of meetings and partings, and also the time when many masterpieces were born.In the Shōwa era, songs that colored spring were delivered without cease—from the lyrical prewar pieces, to the energetic kayōkyoku of the high-growth years, and on to dazzling pops.Nostalgic spring songs from Shōwa continue to resonate in many hearts across generations even today.In this article, we introduce a wide range of springtime songs born in the Shōwa period, from kayōkyoku that capture the spirit of their times to timeless gems still sung today.Please enjoy them as you picture the scenes from back then!
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[Spring Songs Born in the Showa Era] Carefully Selected Kayokyoku That Colored the Times & Timeless Classics Still Sung Today (71–80)
The country where cherry blossoms bloomOSK Nihon Kagekidan
This song is known as a classic that colored the Showa era.
Its beautiful cherry blossom–themed lyrics are striking, evoking the arrival of spring.
The voices of the OSK Nippon Revue Company carry a refreshing breeze of spring to listeners’ hearts.
Since its first release in 1930, it has continued to be loved by many people over the years.
It was reportedly also used as a fight song for the professional baseball team, the Kintetsu Buffaloes.
It’s a perfect track for those embarking on a new beginning in the spring season.
I also recommend listening while picturing a scene of cherry blossom petals dancing in the air.
Graduation PhotoArai Yumi
When you’re feeling sad, you open an album and gaze at the photos, or you spot someone in town but can’t bring yourself to call out… It’s a classic by Yumi Arai filled with the bittersweetness of youth that everyone has felt at least once.
Released in February 1975 as a song provided to Hi-Fi Set, it was later included in Yumi Arai’s own album “COBALT HOUR” in June of the same year.
Since then, it has been used as the theme song for the film “Watch with Me” and in the drama “Sotsu Uta,” resonating across generations.
It’s a heartwarming song that gently stays by your side when you want to bask in nostalgia or when you’ve gone through a farewell with someone dear.
Graduationsaitou yuki
Released in 1985, this song is Yuki Saito’s debut single.
It became the image song for a ramen commercial and was a hit.
That same year, Momoko Kikuchi and Yutaka Ozaki also released songs with the same title, which became a hot topic.
It’s fun to compare different graduation songs, isn’t it? Yuki Saito’s airy vocal style, combined with school-inspired sounds like the melodica and saxophone in the arrangement, blend seamlessly to create a charm that only she can deliver.
Maiden’s SpringAwaya Noriko
This is a song by Noriko Awaya, a pioneer of chanson in Japan who was also affectionately known as the “Queen of Blues.” Otome no Haru (Maiden’s Spring) was released in 1934 (Showa 9), with music by Yuji Koseki and lyrics by Yoshifumi Shimada.
Strongly imbued with the atmosphere of the Showa era, its gentle sound by the Columbia Orchestra is striking, evoking the warmth of spring.
The lyrics depict a woman in scenes related to spring, expressing moments such as gazing into the distance in contemplation and shedding tears.
Cape ErimoMori Shinichi
This song was composed by Takuro Yoshida, who is famous as a folk singer.
There was apparently some opposition to having Shinichi Mori, an enka singer, perform it, but the fusion of a folk song with an enka vocalist produced wonderful results, creating a piece that has been loved by people for a long time.
Capturing the atmosphere of a simple Hokkaido fishing town and the spirit of the Japanese people, this song will continue to be cherished in Japan.
It is also interesting that this became a catalyst for the creation of many songs that transcended musical genre boundaries.