The song’s lyrics, with the tempo of a round, lovely apple murmuring, are perfectly matched with a melody tinged with shame and melancholy.

The lyricist, TAKEUCHI_Toshiko, is said to have written the lyrics while gazing at the apple on his bed, which he received as a visit during her hospitalization. This was in the early Showa period. Farmers, especially those in the Tohoku region where apples were grown, were in a difficult situation, and many families sold their daughters. This song may have depicted such a situation. When the lyrics are read with the historical background in mind, they can be taken as the words of a daughter who was sold to a brothel in the city to make ends meet, murmuring about her hometown. The background of the song is painful, but the melody has a lightness to it that makes it all the more sad.

At the lined-up shops from various places…Meiji Era

Yoshiwara Yuukaku in 1930s

Daughter Peddling Counseling Center Posting

Considering such a historical background, one cannot help but be struck by the sadness of the daughters who look up at the sky and think of their hometowns without complaining.

The song Ryoshuu, beginning with “Fukeyuku aki no yo, tabi no sora no” (“Autumn night deepens over the journeying sky”), was adapted into Japanese by lyricist INDOU Kyuukei in 1929 and remains a beloved classic in Japan.

John P. Ordway

The original song, Dreaming of Home and Mother, was composed in the 19th century by John P. Ordway, and its melancholic melody and lyrical lyrics evoke a unique sense of nostalgia and travel-worn longing that resonates deeply in the Japanese spirit.

INDOU is said to have first encountered the song while working as a music teacher at a girls’ school in Niigata. Far from his own hometown in Kumamoto Prefecture, he adapted the lyrics with his own feelings of homesickness in mind. This sense of longing for home weaves through the song’s melancholy melody, bringing to life universal themes that reflect the journey of life itself.

The opening line, “Fukeyuku aki no yo, tabi no sora no,” beautifully captures the heart of a traveler, reflecting on home as they journey through a quiet autumn night. Autumn, poised between summer’s vibrancy and winter’s calm, symbolizes a season of maturity and solitude. This seasonal mood, coupled with the loneliness of travel, enriches the song’s poignant, universal emotions of yearning and nostalgia.

Ryoshuu has long transcended its role as a simple “travel song.” It is beloved not only in Japan but also in China and Taiwan, where it is sung with unique local lyrics. Its themes—travel, homeland, and the passage of life—resonate across cultures, making the song widely cherished throughout East Asia.

Its popularity endures to this day, and it was selected as one of the “100 Best Japanese Songs.” Indō’s hometown in Kumamoto Prefecture has even built a memorial museum in his honor, celebrating his legacy and contribution to Japanese music.

The song “Momiji” is a traditional piece that symbolizes the beauty of autumn in Japan. The word “Momiji” (紅葉), written in Kanji, also has another reading, “Kouyou,” which refers to the changing colors of autumn leaves, a phenomenon highly appreciated in Japanese culture. This word reflects the broader cultural significance of the season and the aesthetics of nature in Japan. The appreciation of “Kouyou” is not only a modern pastime but is deeply rooted in Japanese literature and art.

One of the most popular activities during the autumn season is known as “Momiji-gari” (紅葉狩り), which literally means “hunting for autumn leaves.” However, the term does not imply actual hunting, but rather refers to the practice of traveling to scenic spots to view and admire the changing colors of the foliage. Similar to how people gather to enjoy cherry blossoms in the spring (a practice known as “hanami”), “Momiji-gari” is a cultural activity where people go out to appreciate the beauty of nature in its autumnal form. This tradition is deeply embedded in Japanese culture, reflecting a unique way of connecting with the seasonal rhythms of the natural world.

In Japanese poetry, especially in the form of waka and haiku, the transition from summer to autumn is a recurring theme, often symbolizing the impermanence of life, a concept central to Japanese aesthetics. The falling leaves of deciduous trees serve as a poignant metaphor for the fleeting nature of existence, known as mono no aware. This philosophical reflection is central to classical Japanese literature and contributes to the deeper emotional resonance of autumn imagery in the arts.

autumn leaves and Nishikigoi carp

Despite the profound themes underlying the song “Momiji,” the lyrics themselves are remarkably straightforward and accessible, which is why it has been cherished by people of all ages for generations. Even children can grasp its meaning, which adds to its widespread popularity and enduring appeal. This balance between simplicity and depth is a hallmark of much Japanese cultural expression.

The lyricist, TAKANO Yasuyuki, drew inspiration from the spectacular autumn foliage he witnessed near Kumanotaira Station, a location that had already been abandoned at the time. The contrast between the station’s deserted state and the vivid beauty of the surrounding leaves reflects a sense of nostalgia and the passage of time, further enriching the song’s emotional depth.

Kouyou in Arashiyama, Kyoto, like a pastel painting

In Japan, the progression of autumn colors follows what is known as the “autumn foliage front,” which moves gradually from the northern to the southern regions of the archipelago. This is a reverse of the “cherry-blossom front” observed in spring, where the blooming of cherry blossoms travels northward. The arrival of autumn foliage, therefore, serves as a natural prelude to the coming of winter, marking the cyclical rhythm of the seasons that plays a significant role in the Japanese connection to nature.

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“Momiji” has rightfully earned its place as one of the “100 Best Japanese Songs,” a distinction that highlights its importance in the cultural and musical heritage of Japan. The song not only encapsulates the beauty of autumn but also serves as a reminder of the intricate relationship between nature, time, and human emotion that is deeply ingrained in Japanese culture.

Kamakura, near Kyoto and Tokyo, is also famous for its autumn leaves.

A Hidden Story Behind Beautiful Autumn Scenery

“Sato no aki” is cherished as a beautiful song that evokes the warm and gentle atmosphere of autumn in Japan’s satoyama (mountainous rural areas). This lyrical piece, set to a tender melody, expresses the tranquil mood of waiting for winter’s arrival after the harvest season, and has been deeply etched in the hearts of many Japanese people. However, did you know that this seemingly peaceful song about rural autumn scenery actually contains profound sadness and prayers?

Behind the lyrics we know today lies a poignant story of a mother and child living quietly while praying for the safety of a father who went off to war as a soldier. While on the surface it celebrates autumn’s beauty, the song’s deeper layers portray the emotions of a wartime family. This dual structure is what gives “Sato no aki” its special and enduring appeal.

Irori bata (fireplace in living room)

The Original “Starry Night” by SAITOU Nobuo

The origins of this song trace back to a poem titled “Starry Night” written by SAITOU Nobuo in 1941 (Shouwa/Showa 16). This poem, created in the same year that the Pacific War began, contained significantly different content from the lyrics we know today. Particularly striking was the phantom third verse:

“Kireina, kireina yashi no shima,

( On the beautiful, beautiful coconut island,)

Shikkari mamotte kudasai to,

( Please protect it well,)

Ah, tousan no gobuun wo,

( Ah, Good luck in the military fortune, Dad,)

Konya mo hitori de inorimasu”

( Tonight, I pray alone once more.)

The reference to “coconut island” reveals much about the song’s context. Given that it was written at the beginning of the Pacific War, the “father” in the song likely refers to a soldier who departed with the Japanese Army to the southern regions of French Indochina. Understanding this historical backdrop of Japan’s southern expansion adds deeper meaning to these lyrics.

A Child’s Pure Sentiments in the Fourth Verse

The original poem also included a fourth verse:

“Ookiku, ookiku natta nara,

(When I grow up, really big,)

heitaisan dayo ureshii na,

(I’ll be a soldier and be happy,)

nee, kaasan yo boku datte,

(hey Mom, even I will definitely)

kanarazu okuniwo mamorimasu”

(protect our country)

These lyrics reflect the wartime values where young children dreamed of following in their fathers’ footsteps as soldiers. While these words may evoke complex feelings for modern readers, they genuinely express the pure patriotism and family devotion of children during that era. Saito Nobuo’s skill as a poet is evident in how he captured the weight of war through a child’s innocent words.

A beach with palm trees.

A Song Reborn with Japan’s Defeat

Ironically, this song became widely known at the end of 1945, the year Japan was defeated in war. It was featured on an NHK Radio program called “Afternoon Encouragement for Repatriates from Overseas Territories.” However, the original wartime lyrics were deemed inappropriate for the post-defeat era. The militaristic expressions and references to the southern front were incompatible with the new spirit of the times.

Consequently, the lyrics were revised to their current form, and the title was changed to “Sato no aki” (Autumn in the Village). Through this transformation, the song was reborn as a beautiful piece celebrating peaceful rural landscapes while secretly harboring memories of war. The public response was extraordinary, marking one of the most significant reactions since NHK Radio’s establishment.

Old radio

A Song of Hope for Repatriates

The following year, it was featured in a program called “Returnee News,” where it deeply resonated with those returning from overseas. For soldiers returning from battlefields and civilians repatriating from Japanese settlements abroad, this song became a symbol expressing both longing for home and prayers for peace. “Sato no aki,” while containing memories of war, transcended them to sing of hope for a new era, perfectly embodying the sentiments of Japanese people during the post-war reconstruction period.

Perhaps the true value of this song lies in the profound human emotions hidden beneath its surface beauty and the timeless love for family that transcends generations.

It has also been selected as one of “Japan’s Top 100 Songs.”