Mother’s Poem ~White Carnation~Kenjiro

[MV] Kenjiro/Mother's Poem (Uta) ~White Carnation~ (full ver.)

When it comes to May events, Mother’s Day naturally comes to mind.

In this song performed by Kenjiro, the lyrics—overflowing with gratitude for his late mother and regrets he could never fully express—are delicately depicted alongside the everyday scene of a flower shop in front of a station.

Kenjiro’s own experience of losing his mother shortly after his debut in 2009 overlaps with the song, and each unadorned word resonates deeply.

Released as a single in August 2020, the piece has been cherished and carried forward so much that an acoustic version was included on the following year’s single, “Fog Horn Lullaby,” in 2021.

If you usually feel too shy to put your feelings for your mother into words, why not let this song speak for you? And of course, make the gift a carnation.

Ferris wheelMy Hair is Bad

Kanransha

This is a track from the album “boys,” released in June 2019, cherished among fans as a hidden gem.

The lyrics are striking, capturing a poignant feeling as a fleeting glimpse of a Ferris wheel during a drive stirs thoughts of a lover and time that won’t return.

There’s no flashy tie-in, but it’s a song that epitomizes their knack for distilling everyday scenes.

With a gentle tempo that swells into an emotionally charged chorus, the dramatic structure is sure to resonate deeply with listeners.

More than vocal range, this ballad hinges on the singer’s expressiveness, so choose it when you want to savor the story in the lyrics or as background music for a nighttime drive.

It will quietly keep you company on nights when you want to linger in a bittersweet mood.

Ballad of a SingerSaitō Kazuyoshi

Kazuyoshi Saito – Ballad of a Singer (2008 Ver.) [Music Video]

It’s a song that makes you want to sing while thinking of someone special on those long autumn nights when you somehow crave human warmth.

It’s one of singer-songwriter Kazuyoshi Saito’s signature tracks, depicting the love of a clumsy protagonist who can only convey his true feelings through song.

The lyrics, which carry straightforward emotions that are hard to say in everyday life, are beautiful and hit you right in the heart.

Released in November 1997 as his 15th single, the song is well-known for being covered by many artists and for being chosen as the theme song for the 2017 animated film Lu Over the Wall.

With the warm tones of the acoustic guitar and Saito’s gentle vocals resonating deeply, it’s also a great choice to sing with all your heart at karaoke.

The True Nature of TearsSUPER BEAVER

The True Nature of Tears

Songs by SUPER BEAVER are characterized by lyrics that resonate with the heart and a powerful sound.

This work conveys the importance of facing yourself through tears.

It was released digitally in January 2025 as the theme song for NHK General’s late-night drama “Vanilla na Mainichi.” Deeply intertwined with the drama’s worldview, it has become a piece that strongly resonates with viewers.

It’s recommended for those who want to confront their emotions or are seeking music that offers emotional support.

Enjoying it alongside the drama may bring an even deeper sense of emotion.

Shima PeninsulaToba Ichirō

Shima Peninsula

A locally rooted enka that rises with the scent of the tide and the shimmer of pearl rafts.

Born and raised by the sea, Ichiro Toba’s voice vividly portrays Wagu, Oshima, Maehama Fishing Port, and the “Shiokake Festival,” powerfully conveying pride and human warmth.

The weight of someone from Toba City in Mie Prefecture with experience in deep-sea fishing resonates, letting you feel, almost on your skin, the heat of the port’s labor and festivities.

In some years the event draws around 10,000 visitors, and there is a monument inscribed with the song at Shima Fureai Park.

Released as a single in August 2001, with lyrics by Ryuichi Satomura, composition by Katsuhiko Miki, and arrangement by Masakane Tsuta.

It was included on the October 2001 album “Ichiro Toba: Complete Collection,” and later on the album “Kono Michi.” The B-side is “Daio no Shippu” (Gale of Daio).

It was performed at the 52nd NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen in 2001.

This track is recommended for coastal drives or nights when you’re thinking of your hometown.

Its surging rhythm stirs your memories.

Takeda Lullaby

Lullaby of Takeda – Takeda no Komori Uta / English translation of traditional music

This is a melancholy lullaby that has been passed down in the Takeda area of Fushimi, Kyoto.

In reality, however, it tells of the harsh daily lives and sorrows of young girls sent out as nursemaids because of poverty.

The hardship of working without rest, with no Bon festival or New Year’s holiday, comes through with a gripping poignancy.

The song from this region became widely known through research for the stage play “The River with No Bridge,” based on Sue Sumii’s original work.

It was featured by the folk group Akai Tori in 1971, and Kaori Kawamura’s 1991 cover sold about 280,000 copies, carrying the song across generations.

If you listen closely to the story behind the singing, you may hear the heartbeat of the people who once lived in this homeland.

Hakone Packhorse Driver’s Song

Hakone Packhorse Song (Hakone Mago-uta) - Kanagawa Prefecture Folk Song

This piece feels as if you can hear the powerful breathing of the packhorse drivers traveling the rugged Hakone road in the Edo period.

It contrasts the Hakone mountain path, which even horses could cross, with the Ōi River, whose crossing was even more difficult, vividly conveying the harshness of travel in those days.

The song is a folk tune that spread organically as a work song during the Edo era.

Its roots differ from the 1901 school song “Hakone Hachiri,” and this work, deeply rooted in the local community, has even been commemorated with a monument in Hakone Town for its cultural value.

Why not listen to it when you want to reflect on journeys of the past and experience the spirit of Japan’s landscape?