[Classic] New Year’s BGM: Music for Japan’s New Year and Spring Festival

Song of the PloversYoshizawa Kengyō

Traditional Music Digital Library: Koto Performance “Chidori no Kyoku”

One of the most renowned koto pieces, Chidori no Kyoku.

Composed by Kengyo Yoshizawa, this work—like Rokudan no Shirabe—introduced a new musical style previously unseen, greatly influencing music from the Meiji era onward.

It encapsulates the essence of Japanese music, which embraces even silence as part of the sound.

The Kite Song

Japanese Folk Song #33: The Song of Kites (Tako no Uta)

This “Kite Song” may not be as well-known as Rentarō Taki’s “New Year,” but it is a famous Japanese children’s song.

In the Kansai region, which was the center of Japan at the time, kites were called “ikano-bori” (paper squid).

In response, Edo townspeople chose the opposite of “ika” (squid) and named them “tako” (octopus), which is said to be the origin of the term “tako-age” (kite flying).

Owing to the influence of this song, paper kites came to be called “tako-age” in modern usage.

Has the plum blossomed?

Has the plum blossomed?

With the soothing tones of traditional Japanese instruments that evoke the New Year’s atmosphere, this piece is a gem that lets you fully savor the allure of Japan’s traditional culture.

Carried by the nimble melodies of the shamisen, lyrics interweave seasonal flowers that herald the arrival of spring, conveying the joy and hope of the new year.

Known as a classic also sung by Hibari Misora, it has long been cherished as a kouta that vividly depicts the glamorous life of geisha.

In 2014, to commemorate the Takarazuka Revue’s 100th anniversary, it was even adopted as the departure melody at Takarazuka Station—proof that its charm remains undimmed.

It’s a perfect song for New Year celebrations or for anyone wishing to experience Japan’s traditional music.

January 1st

January 1st — Ministry of Education school song — Heisei-era recording

Many of you may know it because it was used as the theme song for Fuji TV’s popular New Year program, “Shinshun Kakushi Gei Taikai.” The song “Ichigatsu Ichijitsu” (January 1st) exists in three composition patterns: one by Chikai Inagaki and Sannosuke Koyama, one by Sonpuku Senke and Shingyo Ue, and one by Shigeru Kuzuhara and Kosuke Komatsu.

New Year (Japanese New Year)Rentaro Taki

New Year’s — Oshōgatsu — Children’s Song

This song, New Year’s, is one of the signature pieces by Rentarō Taki, who left behind many famous works.

Many people probably sang it as an assigned song in elementary school.

With lyrics that express a child’s eager anticipation for the New Year, it’s a very charming piece.

It’s a song you’re sure to hear at least once when the New Year comes around.

Longevity Lion

Longevity Lion

As a representative piece for the lion dance, many of you have probably heard it before.

This piece, “Kotobuki Shishi,” is said to have been brought from Baekje and has a very long history even among Japan’s traditional music.

As the title “Kotobuki Shishi” suggests, it is often used for auspicious occasions and is frequently performed during New Year’s festivities.

The Song of the Twelve Zodiac AnimalsRie Miyahira

The Twelve Zodiac Animals Song with Piano Accompaniment ♪ (Lyrics and Music by Rie Miyahira)

Even though more people are getting by with email and LINE these days, New Year’s cards that arrive on New Year’s Day are still one of the fun parts of the holiday.

You look at the zodiac animal pictured and think, “Oh, so this year is the Year of the ___.” With that, let me introduce a fun song called “The Twelve Zodiac Signs.” The lyrics simply sing the twelve animals in order, but this tune makes it easy to memorize them.

And why isn’t the cat—an animal so familiar to us—part of the zodiac? The story goes that a mouse, who never got along with the cat to begin with, gave it the wrong date, so the cat missed the meeting where the zodiac was decided.

It’s a song with a neat little punchline, and highly recommended.