Japanese shoka (school songs). Nostalgic tunes, songs of the heart.

Tomorrow

Tomorrow

Composed and written by Ryuichi Sugimoto, it was released in 1992 as the ending theme for NHK’s “Ikimono Chikyū Kikō” (A Journey Through the Living Earth).

Because the lyrics include many keywords such as “departure,” “wings,” “tomorrow,” and “bird,” it is often chosen as a graduation song in schools.

There's no such thing as ghosts.

There’s No Such Thing as Ghosts | Kiyoe Yoshioka

With lyrics by Minori Maki and music by Akira Mine, this charming song for lower elementary school children was released in 1966.

It depicts the feelings of a child who, while pretending to be brave by saying “There’s no such thing as ghosts,” is still a little scared.

In 2015, Kaela Kimura also covered the song.

maple leaves

~Autumn Leaves (Momiji)~ NHK Tokyo Children's Choir Part I

It was published in 1911.

In 2007, it was selected as one of the “100 Best Japanese Songs.” Composed as a choral piece, the first half is in canon form, while the second half features beautiful harmonies between the lower and higher voices.

The lyrics, which depict autumn scenery, are also beautiful.

My Ballad

[Chorus] My Ballad (Mixed Choir, Four Parts)

This was the debut work of Takao Matsui, a popular composer and arranger of choral pieces for students, published in 1987.

It is notable for its sustained triplets at the climax, and is often used in junior high school choral competitions.

Although the continuous notes make it challenging to sing in tight unison, both the lyrics and the melody are very appealing.

young fox (kit)

Little Fox - from “With Mother” (a children’s TV program) - Nursery Rhyme

The original song is a German children’s song, and the version with Japanese lyrics was released in 1947.

The original lyrics are somewhat menacing, threatening a fox that stole a goose.

In the Japanese version, the lyrics describe an adorable little fox.

foal

Colt Story II: The Foal in the Wind

It was published in 1910.

The first verse describes a foal carrying a person on its back and moving forward, while the second verse depicts it galloping.

The music is light and cheerful to express that scene.

Similarly, well-known songs that feature horses include “O-Uma” and “O-Uma no Oyako.”

Kantarō the North Wind KidMasaaki Sakai

"Kogarashi Kozou no Kantarou" by Masakazu Sakai

The lyrics were written by Takao Ide and the music composed by Wakako Fukuda in 1972.

It was created with the concept of an enka song for children.

With features like the call of “Kantarō~” and onomatopoeic whistling, it’s a song packed with elements that would delight lower-grade elementary school children.