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!

Playlist

Theme Songs of NHK Taiga Dramas Through the Years: The Allure of Music That Colors Historical Stories
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	KirIN ga Kuru Main ThemeJon Guramu		The Taiga drama 'Kirin ga Kuru,' with its grand music
2	Sanadamaru Main ThemeTakayuki Hattori		The moving main theme of the NHK Taiga drama “Sanada Maru.”
3	The 13 Lords of the Shogun Main ThemeEban Kōru		The Taiga drama 'The 13 Lords of the Shogun' is moving.
4	Dawn skyInamoto Hibiki		The theme song of the Taiga drama that portrayed Ieyasu’s hopes
5	Saigō-don ~ Main Theme ~Fuki Harumi		The diverse musicality of the Segodon theme song
6	AmethystFuyuno Yumi		Yumi Fuyuno’s moving music for the historical epic drama
7	Kōmyō ga Tsuji Main ThemeShōroku Reijirō		The famous theme from the Taiga drama “Kōmyō ga Tsuji.”
8	Hideyoshi Main ThemeShōroku Reijirō		Theme song of the Taiga drama 'Hideyoshi'
9	Hana Moyu Main ThemeKawai Kenji		The theme song of the Taiga drama “Hana Moyu”
10	Gunshi Kanbee Main ThemeKanno Yugo		The theme song of the Taiga drama 'Gunshi Kanbee'
11	Reach for the clear blue skySatō Naoki		Music that makes me feel hopeful about Japan’s future
12	風林火山<メインタイトル>Senju Akira		A historical Taiga drama depicting the life of Yamamoto Kansuke from “Fūrinkazan.”
13	Glorious EdoJon Guramu		Theme song of a grand historical drama depicting the passion of Edo culture
14	Nobunaga KING OF ZIPANGUMōri Kurōdo		The theme song of the Taiga drama “Nobunaga”
15	Blue Wind ~Opening Theme~Kurihara Kazuki		Theme song of the NHK Taiga drama ‘Hōjō Tokimune’
16	Idaten Main ThemeŌtomo Yoshihide		Theme song of the NHK Taiga drama 'Idaten'
17	Time Of DestinyIwashiro Tarō		The grand main theme song of the Taiga drama Aoi
18	Genroku Ryoran Main ThemeIkebe Shinichirō		A masterpiece depicting the human drama of the Genroku era
19	Souru (Main Theme)Watanabe Toshiyuki		The moving theme song from the Taiga drama “Toshiie and Matsu”
20	MusashiEnnio Morikōne		The soul of Musashi woven by Morricone
21	Toyotomi brothers!Kimura Hideaki		The Hot Anthem of the Toyotomi Brothers’ Quest for Unifying the Realm
22	Main ThemeSaegusa Shigeaki		The theme song of the Taiga drama 'Taiheiki'
23	Flames RiseSugano Yoshihiro		The theme song of the Taiga drama 'Homura Tatsu'
24	Yae no Sakura Main ThemeSakamoto Ryuichi		Theme song for a Taiga drama by Ryuichi Sakamoto
25	The Golden DaysIkebe Shinichirō		Theme song of the Taiga drama 'Ogon no Niji' (The Golden Days)
26	Ryōma-denSatō Naoki		The theme song of Ryomaden, starring Masaharu Fukuyama.
27	The Lady Taikō ChronicleSakata Koichi		Introduction to the theme song of “Onna Taikō-ki”
28	Wind, Clouds, and the RainbowYamamoto Naozumi		The grand theme song of “The Wind, the Clouds, and the Rainbow”
29	Minamoto no YoshitsuneTakemitsu Tōru		Toru Takemitsu’s theme song for the Taiga drama ‘Minamoto no Yoshitsune’
30	Chronicle of the Genroku PeaceYuasa Joji		The theme song of Genroku Taiheiki is characterized by irregular time signatures.
31	Shinsengumi! Main ThemeTakayuki Hattori		The theme song of the Taiga drama ‘Shinsengumi!’
32	Tenko ~ Tiger WomanKanno Yōko		The main theme song of the Taiga drama 'Naotora' has a brilliant, flamboyant tone.
33	Like a Soaring FlightIchiyanagi Toshi		Main theme song for a Taiga drama composed by Toshi Ichiyanagi
34	A spring slopeMiyoshi Akira		Theme of the Taiga drama 'Spring Slope' composed by Akira Miyoshi
35	Ryoma Goes ForthMamiya Yoshio		The commemorative theme for the Taiga drama “Ryōma ga Yuku”
36	Taira no Kiyomori Theme SongYoshimatsu Takashi		The theme song of the NHK Taiga drama 'Taira no Kiyomori'.
37	Ako Rōnin (the Forty-Seven Rōnin)Akutagawa Yasushi		Composed by Akutagawa, the theme song for the Taiga drama about the Akō rōnin (the Forty-seven Ronin).
38	From Legend to Myth ~Main Theme~Iwashiro Tarō		Introduction of the theme song for the Taiga drama 'Yoshitsune'
39	three sistersSatō Masaru		The moving theme from the tumultuous epic drama “Three Sisters”
40	The fir tree remainedYoda Mitsumasa		The theme song of the Taiga drama “The Fir Tree Remained.”
41	Chronicle of the RegentIrino Yoshiro		The memorable theme song of the Taiga drama “Taikoki.”
42	Gō: The Warring States of the Princesses (Main Theme)Yoshimata Ryō		A Taiga drama theme song that portrays Atsuhime’s wish for peace
43	Chronicle of Kingdom ConquestHayashi Hikaru		Depicting the history of Saitō Dōsan and Oda Nobunaga
44	A Flower’s LifeTomita Isao		The theme song of the Taiga drama “Hana no Shōgai”
45	Tenchi-jin ~ Opening ThemeŌshima Michiru		The famous theme from the Taiga drama “Tenchijin”
46	Era of the Lion Main ThemeUzaki Ryūdō		Rock-style theme song of 'The Era of the Lion'