Theme Songs of NHK Taiga Dramas Through the Years: The Allure of Music That Colors Historical Stories
NHK’s Taiga dramas have continued to color Japan’s grand history.
Have you watched any, such as Ryomaden or Atsuhime? The opening themes of Taiga dramas are a treasure trove of masterpieces that remain etched in our hearts across generations.
Just by listening, they whisk you away to that era in an instant—like a time machine.
In this article, we’ve compiled the theme songs from past Taiga dramas! We’ll introduce a variety of exhilarating music that invites us on a journey through history.
Please stay with us to the end!
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Theme Songs of NHK Taiga Dramas Through the Years: The Allure of Music that Colors Historical Stories (31–40)
Ako Rōnin (the Forty-Seven Rōnin)Akutagawa Yasushi
This is the theme song for Akutagawa Yasushi’s “Ako Roshi.” “Ako Roshi” was the second Taiga drama, broadcast from January 5 to December 27, 1964.
Featuring an even more star-studded cast than the first Taiga drama and offering a well-developed storyline leading up to the raid, it generated considerable buzz.
The opening theme conveys the determination of the ronin.
three sistersSatō Masaru
This is the theme song for “Three Sisters,” composed by Masaru Sato.
“Three Sisters” was the fifth Taiga drama, broadcast from January 1 to December 24, 1967.
It drew attention as the first series in Taiga drama history to feature a woman as the protagonist.
True to a drama that portrays three sisters buffeted by the tides of the times, the opening theme has a tone that foreshadows turmoil.
The fir tree remainedYoda Mitsumasa
This is the theme song for Mitsumasa Yoda’s composition “The Fir Tree Remained.” “The Fir Tree Remained” is the 8th Taiga drama, broadcast from January 4 to December 27, 1970.
The restless woodwinds, with a single, piercing piccolo line—an opening theme that readily suggests impending turmoil.
Chronicle of the RegentIrino Yoshiro
This is the theme song for Yoshiro Irino’s Taikoki.
Taikoki is the third Taiga drama, broadcast from January 3 to December 26, 1965.
Kengo Ogata played the lead role of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and Koji Takahashi portrayed Oda Nobunaga.
The opening theme gives a brilliant, festive impression.
Gō: The Warring States of the Princesses (Main Theme)Yoshimata Ryō
This is the theme song for Atsuhime, composed by Ryo Yoshimata.
Atsuhime is the 47th Taiga drama, broadcast from January 6 to December 14, 2008, and it is told from the perspective of Atsuhime, the lawful wife of Tokugawa Iesada, the 13th shogun of the Edo shogunate.
From the opening theme, you can sense the image of a woman who hopes for peace while protecting her married life and the women of the inner palace (Ōoku).
Theme Songs of NHK Taiga Dramas Through the Years: The Allure of Music That Enlivens Historical Stories (41–50)
Chronicle of Kingdom ConquestHayashi Hikaru
This is the theme song for Kunitori Monogatari, composed by Hikaru Hayashi.
Kunitori Monogatari is the 11th Taiga drama, broadcast from January 7 to December 23, 1973.
It depicts the lives of Saito Dosan, who staked his life on seizing Mino, as well as Oda Nobunaga and Akechi Mitsuhide.
The opening theme conjures up images of men who blazed through their era.
A spring slopeMiyoshi Akira
This is the theme song composed by Akira Miyoshi for Haru no Sakamichi (Spring Slope).
Haru no Sakamichi was the ninth NHK Taiga drama, broadcast from January 3 to December 26, 1971.
The title “Spring Slope” symbolizes the long and arduous path to establishing a peaceful era, and the drama portrays the life of master swordsman Yagyū Munenori, the Lord of Tajima.
The use of small percussion instruments is particularly effective.