Lovely nursery rhymes, folk songs, and children's songs

A classic Japanese folk song passed down through generations of acoustic performances

Pop music writer/editorKEI
A style that keeps updating my favorites while loving mainstream and hit songs. I have experience writing articles for outlets like Utaten. Since I discovered music as a student, I’ve mainly listened to Japanese and Korean pop. 2000s J-POP and 2010s K-POP were my youth, and I’m also loosely into jazz and R&B. I enjoy good music across genres with a “good is good” mindset. Thanks to my past work environment (and its influence), I listened to a lot of classic rock and kayōkyoku, which may have broadened my tastes. At RAG MUSIC, I mainly cover K-POP. I focus on reviews that emphasize feelings people can relate to, and on editing aligned with local pride and hit potential. Thank you!

A special feature on Japanese folk songs.

Folk music originally began as arrangements of traditional songs and spread in the United States.

From around the 1960s, it was also embraced in Japan, and, reflecting the times, songs with strong anti-war and anti-government messages were delivered.

Entering the 1970s, it became especially popular with more accessible, mainstream themes and reached a peak of commercial success.

Although Japanese folk has evolved to incorporate various elements, it retains an acoustic allure and a wistful mood, with lyrics that stand out and resonate.

By all means, take your time and immerse yourself in Japanese folk music!

Timeless Classics of Japanese Folk Songs Passed Down Through Live Solo Performances (71–80)

A rose has bloomed.Mike Maki

Maki Mike – Roses Bloomed

Rose Bloomed Mike Maki

It is said that this song, released as a single by Maki Maki in 1966, was created by Kuranosuke Hamaguchi—who wrote both the lyrics and the music—drawing its motif from a passage themed on the rose in Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s fairy tale The Little Prince.

Thanks to the song’s success, Maki made his first appearance at the 17th NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen in 1966.

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youAkiko Kosaka

Akiko Kosaka “Anata (You)” 1973

You, Akiko Kosaka

Composed when Akiko Kosaka was still a student, this song is, in my view, quintessentially Japanese folklore.

It expresses the feelings of looking back on a past in which she dreamed of marrying a certain man but ultimately parted ways.

With its moving lyrics and vocals, it achieved the astonishing milestone of selling two million copies.

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Wandering Love SongTsuyoshi Nagabuchi

Wandering Love Song

Meguriko Uta - Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi

Released in 1978, this song may feel quite different from Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi’s current image, but it remains a beloved staple at his live shows.

Reflecting the era in which it was released, it’s essentially a folk song, and it has surely encouraged many people.

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Timeless Masterpieces of Japanese Folk Songs Passed Down Through Live Accompaniment (81–90)

White Winterbutterbur sprout

Fork/J-POP Shiroi Fuyu Fuki no Tō

White winter butterbur scape

Released in 1974, this was Fuki no Tō’s debut single and a male duet.

Even now, when autumn deepens, I somehow find myself remembering this song.

It’s a lonely piece in which, while thinking of someone you parted with, spring gradually approaches but the sorrow doesn’t heal.

Still, it has an easy-to-remember melody and beautiful male harmonies.

The folk guitar accompaniment is also striking, and if you learn chords like Am and G, you can do a solo vocal-and-guitar performance.

It truly was an era when folk guitars sold like hotcakes.

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While listening to a distant train whistleAlice

Alice, listening to a distant train whistle

Alice, listening to a distant train whistle

This is a song by Alice, a folk group that was popular in the 1970s.

Alice included Shinji Tanimura and Takao Horiuchi among its members, and both went on to successful solo careers after the group disbanded.

While Tanimura often took the lead vocals in Alice, this one features Horiuchi as the lead vocalist.

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Into the DreamYosui Inoue

Yosui Inoue – “Into the Dream” Music Video

Into the Dream by Yosui Inoue

Yosui Inoue is one of the greats among folk singers.

Released in 1973, this song was his first hit.

With its uniquely enchanting pop sensibility, it has been covered by various artists, including Yuki Saito.

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In conclusion

Up to now, we’ve been introducing Japanese folk songs.

Have you found any favorites? While researching, I noticed that many singers whose names still come up often are centered around the emblematic musicians who could be called the faces of folk.

In recent years, a lot of Japanese songs have technical and tricky melodies, but looking back made me appreciate once again the value of songs you can sit with and really listen to.