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

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

music writerKOH-1
Started working as a music writer as a side job while employed at a record shop, and have been contributing to music magazines and web media for over 15 years. Although Western music is my main field, I always strive to stay curious with the motto, “I like what I like.” I have experience playing in a band, where I was a bassist responsible for songwriting and composition. Instruments I’ve performed on include bass, guitar, and piano. I resumed piano lessons after turning 40 and have been continuing ever since!
lightercatnap
A person from the melodic hardcore boom generation who loves music, photography, and eating. I’ve been going to live houses for over 20 years. I’m at the age where summer festivals are starting to feel tough physically. I sometimes try shooting live photos and videos for MVs. I’m not great at English, so I often listen to straightforward Japanese rock that hits directly, but if someone recommends something, I’ll listen to anything—Western or Japanese—broadly and casually. I like cooking while listening to music; it’s a nice way to relieve stress.

When New Year’s comes around, you often hear New Year-ish music around town and on TV, don’t you?

Hearing songs that feature traditional Japanese instruments like the koto, flute, and shamisen really brings out the New Year atmosphere.

In this article, I’ll introduce pieces you often hear as New Year’s background music, as well as songs whose vibe is perfect for the season.

Many of these pieces carry auspicious wishes, so try looking into the meanings embedded in the music.

Some entries also mention the composers; if you look up their other works, you might discover even more pieces that are perfect for the New Year.

I hope you enjoy a wonderful New Year along with the songs introduced here.

[Standard] New Year’s BGM: Japanese music for the New Year/First Spring (31–40)

Shika-no-umi (Four Seas Waves) / Waves of the Four Seas

Shika-no-umi (Four Seas Waves) / Waves of the Four Seas

Shika-no-umi (Four Seas Waves) / Waves of the Four Seas

A classic New Year’s song that everyone has heard when welcoming the new year.

Known as a passage from the Noh chant “Takasago,” this piece is cherished as a celebratory song praising a peaceful world where the seas in all directions are calm and the nation is well-governed.

Because it extols conjugal love and longevity, it is also favored at wedding ceremonies and is said to be the origin of calling the bride and groom’s table the “Takasago seat.” The solemn, tranquil tone unique to Noh is perfect for creating an austere atmosphere for the New Year.

It is also a staple for the New Year’s “first chant,” making it recommended for those who want to experience a traditional Japanese New Year ambiance.

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In conclusion

We introduced classic New Year’s songs, starting with that tune you often hear during the New Year holiday.

We covered pieces filled with auspicious wishes, tracks featuring traditional Japanese instruments perfect for the season, and even classical works that are staples of New Year’s concerts.

There are many more songs related to the New Year, so if you’re interested, please be sure to look them up.