A famous song about Fukuoka. The heart of the hometown passed down through song.

The Life of Matsu the UntamedHideo Murata

The Life of Mutsukichi the Outlaw (including 'A Thousand Ryō of Guts') Murata Hideo UPB-0078

In addition to the mega-hit “Ōshō,” enka singer Hideo Murata, who passed away in 2002, left behind numerous songs.

This piece, “Muhōmatsu no Isshō,” was his debut single, released in 1958.

He also performed it on NHK’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen in 1975.

Originally a rōkyoku narrative ballad, it was arranged and released as a popular song.

The lyrics feature many hallmarks of Hakata, including Kokura in Kyushu and the Genkai Sea.

It’s a masculine, powerful number.

Genkai BluesYoshio Tabata

Yoshio Tabata “Genkai Blues”

With a guitar in hand, the unpretentious Genkai Sea has its own charm.

In the song itself it appears as “Genkainada,” but the title is “Genkai,” located in Munakata City.

This version feels gentler and might better match the mood of Tabata’s song.

I like the carefree seafaring vibe.

From Kyoto to HakataKeiko Fuji

From Kyoto to Hakata (video) ★ Keiko Fuji

It expresses the feelings of a woman who follows her lover from Kyoto all the way to Hakata.

The singing, with its firm conviction, impresses me every time I hear it.

Apparently, there was an answer song later by the artist herself called “I Will Return to Kyoto.” I can’t help but wonder what happened to the woman after that.

Rampaging DrumFuyumi Sakamoto

Rampaging Taiko – Fuyumi Sakamoto (Abaré Taiko)

It’s a powerful song with boldly resonant drums.

When it comes to naturally singing about a man like Muhōmatsu—so quintessentially a Kyushu tough—no one but Fuyumi Sakamoto could pull it off.

The rough waves of the Genkai Sea and the image of a shy Kyushu man, soft-hearted and easily moved by emotion, were crisply and vividly expressed.

Orie's SongHako Yamasaki

Hako Yamasaki - Orie’s Song

This is a song with lyrics by Hiroyuki Itsuki, based on the novel The Gate of Youth.

It’s a profoundly poignant song that lets you fully savor Hako Yamasaki’s worldview.

I really do think this is a song that only Hako-san could sing.

The sadness, the happiness, the purity—Fukuoka has all of them, and this world, too, is one form of Fukuoka.

FukuokaTakui Nakajima

Takui Nakajima (TAKUI) Fukuoka Ballad

The song title, fittingly, is “Fukuoka,” included on the album VIVAROCK.

Takui Nakajima is from Koga City, but since he moved to Tokyo at 15, perhaps his feelings for his hometown are especially strong.

He writes candidly about the natural beauty of Fukuoka and the love of family.

It’s a track whose delicate vocals evoke a sentimental mood.

In Tribute to Hakata DollsYuko Shimada

In Tribute to Hakata Dolls

It was originally sung by Saori Yuki on NHK’s “Minna no Uta.” Hakata dolls are traditional crafts, and there are many kinds—adorable children, beautiful geisha, stalwart warlords, and so on—with very elegant, distinctly Japanese features.

The song gazes at the dolls and drifts into thoughts of days long past.