Lovely anime song

Song(s) from The Tale of the Princess Kaguya. Theme song and insert song(s).

Deputy Editor of RAG MUSICSasashina
Deputy Editor of the web media RAG MUSIC. I’m Sasashina, a mom currently raising an elementary schooler and a preschooler. In my student days, I studied broadly at Kyoto College of Science and Technology, covering sound, lighting, and video technology, and acquired skills from comprehensive stage production to the fundamentals of creative expression. After graduation, I joined a music production company, where I still work, and have consistently built my career on the production side, taking on diverse tasks centered around music. Currently, I mainly handle articles for children, drawing on what I’ve learned about parenting in my own way, as well as insights and discoveries from interacting with my kids every day. I hope I can be of help to you, even just a little!

When it comes to Studio Ghibli directors, Hayao Miyazaki is famous, but equally acclaimed is Isao Takahata.

One of his works, released in 2013, is the film The Tale of The Princess Kaguya.

As the title suggests, it was based on the old folktale The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter.

Emotions overflow from its distinctive visual style.

You’ll be overwhelmed by Isao Takahata’s incredible directorial prowess.

This time, I’d like to introduce the theme song and insert songs from The Tale of The Princess Kaguya.

Watch, listen, and enjoy! It’s an absolutely wonderful work, so if you’re not familiar with it or haven’t seen it yet, please give it a try.

Songs from The Tale of the Princess Kaguya. Theme and insert songs (21–30)

The sound of the kotoJoe Hisaishi

The koto is a traditional Japanese instrument.

This track lets you fully enjoy the koto’s timbre.

Its simple, koto-only arrangement pairs a catchy yet distinctly Japanese melody that lingers in your ears.

The dynamic range and the cascading scales are must-hear highlights.

Why not take this opportunity to savor the sound of the koto? You might just discover something new.

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Joy of livingJoe Hisaishi

In the film, Princess Kaguya feels that striving and growing together with plants, flowers, and animals is the very joy of living.

You can truly feel her emotions overflowing in this piece.

The irresistibly cheerful pop sound is sure to bring a smile to your face as you listen.

The bouncy rhythm and the sweetly chiming flutes—both doubling the happiness—are must-hear!

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Life (inochi)Joe Hisaishi

Life that cannot be seen with the eyes.

This piece is packed tight with the wonder of such life.

Doesn’t its bouncing tempo, like a heartbeat, make you want to start dancing as you listen? The cheerful melody that seems to bring one joy after another tells us that simply being alive is something marvelous.

It’s a recommended track that will surely lead you to new discoveries when you’re troubled by something.

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Garden of LifeJoe Hisaishi

In the story, Princess Kaguya creates a garden in the capital that recreates the mountain where she grew up, in order to keep her sanity.

In the mountain of her childhood, grasses and trees, flowers, animals—every form of life—coexisted.

Believing that this coexistence is the very joy of living, Kaguya may have felt as calm as this piece of music.

The sound of that life-filled garden overflows with an all-embracing warmth and a powerful vitality.

The more you listen, the deeper this track reveals itself to be.

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sincerityJoe Hisaishi

When you hear the word “sincerity,” what comes to mind? Probably something with a gentle, soft ambiance.

This piece gives you that kind of warm, heart-comforting atmosphere.

The embracing tone of the organ pairs perfectly with the high-register electric piano.

The relaxed, slow tempo is also very reassuring to listen to.

After hearing this track, you’ll surely feel inspired to put true sincerity into how you treat someone important to you.

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Autumn harvestJoe Hisaishi

Speaking of autumn, it’s the season of harvest! That rich autumn is the theme of this piece, “Autumn’s Bounty.” The slow-tempo strings feel wonderfully gentle, as if giving thanks for nature’s blessings.

As it progresses, it takes on a grand atmosphere, letting you feel the boundless abundance of nature.

With strings layered across various registers, be sure to pay attention to the instrumental ensemble as well!

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despairJoe Hisaishi

Princess Kaguya is insulted during the play and falls into despair.

She feels as if humanity is hopelessly steeped in filth.

This piece suits that tumultuous scene perfectly.

The strongly attacked piano makes a huge impact, and the almost dissonant sounds heighten the sense of hopelessness.

The tempo itself is slow, but it never lets you feel at ease.

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