[Songs of Kagoshima] The heart of our hometown carried on in song | A curated selection of classic tracks that embody Kagoshima

SakurajimaSEX MACHINEGUNS

Sex Machineguns – Sakurajima

I heard that one of the members graduated from a university in Kagoshima.

Apparently, they were originally active mainly in the Kyushu region, and that might be where their attachment to Sakurajima came from.

It seems to be a song about heartbreak, but the performance—like venting a haze of emotions—feels as if Sakurajima is erupting, which is fascinating.

I’m from Satsuma.

Seventh Portable Shrine: Odoma Sasshu

A traditional celebratory song of Satsuma that sings the soul of Kagoshima.

The lyrics are rich with local dialect, conveying the lively atmosphere of festivals and people’s earnest wishes for prosperous business and good health.

Passed down at local festivals since long ago, the piece also became familiar to residents as the tune used in a shochu brand “Kuro Isanishiki” commercial.

In recent years, performance videos have begun appearing online, and the song seems to be spreading in new ways.

When you want to experience the vibrant culture of Kagoshima, why not give it a listen?

Kagoshima Hama-bushi

Kagoshima Hamabushi (Kagoshima Hamabushi) "Kagoshima Prefecture Folk Song"

A traditional melody where the majestic seascapes of Kagoshima and the hearts of the people who live there resonate as one.

The gentle phrasing is accompanied by the timbre of the shamisen, warmly enveloping the listener.

This piece is a folk song that depicts scenes along the west coast of Kagoshima Bay and was originally a type of boat-rowing song handed down in Kagoshima.

It later spread nationwide as an ozashiki song and still plays a role today in conveying Kagoshima’s culture at local events and the like.

It is a song that quietly stays by your side when you wish to reflect on your hometown scenery.

Yo-isura BushiIsland Song

Chitose Hajime Amami Island Folk Song Solo Performance: Song Journey on the World Heritage Island Amami Oshima - “Yoisura-bushi”

A powerful melody that shakes the soul of Amami and resonates deep in the heart.

This song is a traditional island chant based on the belief in the Onari-gami—protective spirits dwelling in sisters who watch over their brothers and men who go to sea—and it is cherished not only in Amami but also in Okinawa.

Passed down by renowned island-song vocalists such as Chitose Hajime, many of you have likely heard it before.

Its warm atmosphere, lyrics, and vocals convey fervent feelings for one’s homeland, daily gratitude, and hope for the future.

When you think of Kagoshima, or when your thoughts drift to a faraway hometown, this song will gently wrap around you.

Shunryō main clauseIsland Song

Kōsuke Naka – Island Song Solo Performance 'Shunryō-shu-bushi'

A renowned song with a heart-stirring melody nurtured by the climate of Amami.

It originally expressed passionate love, but after a local legislator’s wife was swept away by the tide in the Meiji era, it came to be sung with deep mourning and consolation.

Sung and recorded by various artists, including Takashi Nakagawa (Atsushi Nakatsuka) [note: Nakagawa Atsushi? If referring to Kousuke Atari, use: by Kousuke Atari], this piece offers a gentle tune that will comfort you when remembering someone dear or when you wish to feel the warmth of your homeland.

Kuninao Yone Ane-bushiIsland Song

Kousuke Atari – Shimauta Solo Performance 'Kuninyāku Yonē Bushi'

A single track that sinks deep into the heart, evoking the beautiful seas and greenery of Amami.

It richly sings, to the sound of the sanshin, the tale of the beautiful sisters known as “Kome-nee,” said to have once truly lived there.

For those who listen, it may gently bring to mind the landscapes of a distant homeland and the warm feelings of the people who live there.

Carefully handed down by artists such as Takashige Nakama and Minami Kizuki, this work is one to savor when you feel nostalgic for home or want to immerse yourself in the island’s unhurried flow of time.

Watasya BushiIsland Song

Kousuke Atari – Shima Uta (solo acoustic) “Watasha-bushi with Chitose Hajime”

A traditional island song that vividly evokes a sea voyage around the Amami Islands.

With a lively yet wistful melody, it sings of the feelings of those who travel by boat from island to island—partings, longing, and love.

Revitalized by a new generation of artists, including collaborations between Chitose Hajime and Kousuke Atari and remixes by Ryuichi Sakamoto, its allure continues to reach contemporary audiences.

Adopted by Kagoshima Prefecture’s cultural preservation initiatives, it is cherished and carefully protected by local communities.

When you want to experience heartwarming island music, why not take the time to listen closely?