The Delicate Season Between Winter and Spring

“Soushunfu” is a song that beautifully expresses the anticipation of spring in Japan, capturing the transitional period from early February (around “Risshun” in the traditional 24 solar terms) through March. Despite being officially spring, this period is characterized by winter’s lingering presence—the wind remains chilly, and even the nightingale, traditionally known as the herald of spring, still refrains from singing. The landscape presents a poetic contradiction: plum blossoms beginning to bloom while snowflakes continue to fall, and fresh reeds sprouting along waterways despite the persistent cold. These elements combine to create a poignant portrayal of the longing for spring’s full arrival.

Though written in classical Japanese style, the lyrics offer a beautiful resonance without overly difficult pronunciation, making it an ideal piece for those studying Japan’s traditional musical heritage.

The Inspiring Origins in Nagano’s Alpine Landscape

The song originated in the early Taisho era (1912-1926) when YOSHIMARU Kazumasa, a respected professor at the Tokyo Music School and member of the “Jinjo Shogakko Shoka” (Elementary School Songs for Common People) compilation committee, visited Azumino in Nagano Prefecture. The melting snow scenery around Hodaka Town profoundly moved YOSHIMARU, inspiring him to compose the poem for “Soushunfu.” For the musical composition, he turned to his colleague NAKADA Akira, a renowned composer who was the father of NAKADA Yoshinao (known for beloved songs such as “Natsu no Omoide,” “Chiisai Aki Mitsuketa,” and “Yuki no Furu Machi wo”).

Azumino: The Landscape That Inspired a Classic

Nestled at the foot of the Northern Japan Alps, Azumino presents a striking natural environment that was particularly impactful for YOSHIMARU. Having been born and raised in the warm climate of Oita Prefecture in Kyushu, the distinct seasonal transitions and alpine scenery of Azumino offered a fresh perspective that deeply influenced his artistic sensibilities.

The region is characterized by remarkable natural beauty—crystal-clear streams fed by alpine snowmelt, vast fields framed by mountain vistas, and a distinctive climate that remains cool even during summer months. This environmental contrast between his native Kyushu and the alpine landscape of Nagano likely heightened YOSHIMARU’s sensitivity to the subtle signs of early spring depicted in the song.

Azumino’s agricultural fame for premium wasabi and soba noodles further connects to its exceptional water quality and climate—elements that form the backdrop for the song’s portrayal of nature’s awakening. Today, visitors to the area can find a monument commemorating the creation of “Soushunfu,” recognizing the song’s cultural significance and connection to this specific landscape.

User: (WT-shared) NY066 at wts ウィキボヤージュ, CC 表示-継承 3.0, リンクによる

Cultural Recognition and Enduring Legacy

“Soushunfu” has earned significant recognition in Japan’s cultural canon, being selected as one of the “100 Best Japanese Songs” by both the Japanese Agency for Cultural Affairs and the Japan PTA National Council. This official recognition highlights the song’s artistic merit and its importance in preserving traditional Japanese sensibilities about nature and seasonal transitions.

The song continues to be taught in schools and performed in various contexts, serving as both a cultural touchstone and a reminder of Japan’s deep poetic tradition of observing and celebrating the subtle changes in nature throughout the year.

The Hidden Evolution of “Spring Brook”

This beloved song with its gentle spring melody beautifully portrays flowers blooming on riverbanks and creatures swimming happily in warm sunlight. However, when it was born in 1912 (Taisho 1), the lyrics weren’t written in today’s simple language but in the elegant literary style of the Meiji era. Phrases like “sarasara yuku yo” (flowing gently) were originally “sarasara nagaru,” and “sugata yasashiku” (gentle appearance) was “nioi medetaku” (fragrant and splendid)—expressions that were more formal and richly evocative. In 1941, during wartime, when elementary schools were renamed “National Schools,” the lyrics were transformed into colloquial language that younger children could more easily understand. This song represents a testimony to Japan’s modernization and the evolution of its educational approach.

The Brook That Vanished Underground, A Cityscape Transformed

The brook from the song once flowed through what is now Udagawa-cho in Shibuya, a district that has become one of Tokyo’s busiest entertainment centers. As the name “Shibuya” (meaning “valley”) suggests, this area was naturally situated in a valley where streams flowed freely. However, the relentless tide of urbanization has forced the once-clear stream underground, now flowing as a culvert beneath the streets. Though the name Udagawa-cho still carries the legacy of the river in its name, the vibrant storefronts and crowds have completely obscured any visible trace of the brook that once defined this landscape.

By Unknown author – Japanese book “Visual History of Nostalgic Station” published by Kokusho-kankoukai., Public Domain, Link

Listening for the Whispers of a Century-Old Spring in the Busy Streets

When humming “Spring Brook” in modern Shibuya, amid the crowds and neon lights, one might experience a curious overlapping of time periods. Perhaps beneath our feet, invisible to the eye, that brook still flows with its gentle “sarasara” sound. Though eras have changed from Meiji to Taisho, Showa, Heisei, and now Reiwa, the tender feelings of spring conveyed by this song continue to resonate in our hearts. In the midst of our busy daily lives, remembering this song and contemplating the hidden brook below might bring a moment of poetic reflection—a subtle touch of color enriching our modern urban existence.

昔の渋谷川・古川の写真|昔の渋谷川・古川|東京都建設局

東京都建設局の昔の渋谷川・古川の写真(昔の渋谷川・古川)のページです。

www.kensetsu.metro.tokyo.lg.jp

Modern Japanese History Inscribed in a Children’s Song

The evolution of “Spring Brook” mirrors Japan’s modern history. From Meiji-era literary language to wartime educational reforms and the environmental changes brought by urbanization, this song harbors the breath of various eras. While children’s songs often evoke nostalgia, behind them lie significant shifts in educational philosophies, national identity, and environmental transformation. Each song we casually hum carries rich historical layers. Though many old school songs have disappeared from today’s textbooks, they remain valuable cultural heritage that transmits the sensibilities and values of Japanese people from times past.

100 Best Japanese Songs

A Song that Continues to Signal Evening

While many old dōyō (children’s songs) and shōka (school songs) have disappeared from music textbooks and are gradually being forgotten, Yuuyake Koyake remains widely beloved. One reason is that many municipalities use it as a time signal melody to remind children playing outside that it is time to go home. In residential neighborhoods, when this melody flows from the speakers at dusk, people instinctively feel, “It’s time to return home.” This custom has been naturally handed down across generations, to both children and parents.

The Lyricist NAKAMURA Ukou and the Sunset Scene

The lyricist, Nakamura Ukou, originally aspired to be a children’s story writer. However, the principal of the elementary school where he worked opposed this, believing it would interfere with his duties as an educator, and thus he turned to songwriting.
During his commute from his home in Ongata Village to Hachiōji Station—a journey of about 16 kilometers on foot—Ukō would often be moved by the evening sky. It is said that the sunset he saw on his way home inspired the lyrics, blending with memories of his childhood and the scenery of his native village. Along the way stood many temples, and the sound of their bells must have echoed with the twilight.

The Song’s Struggle to Reach the Public

It took four years for this piece to finally reach composer KUSAKAWA Shin after Ukou wrote the lyrics in 1919. The reasons for this delay remain unclear. The song was eventually published in 1923, but the Great Kantou Earthquake that struck the same year destroyed nearly all printed copies. Fortunately, thirteen copies that had been distributed to those involved survived, and the song was republished in 1929, barely managing to pass down to the present day.

The Nostalgic Sound of the Yonanuki Scale

Another reason Yuuyake Koyake has endured for so long lies in its distinctive musical scale. The song uses Japan’s traditional yonanuki scale (a pentatonic scale omitting the 4th and 7th notes—F and B in C major). This scale creates a nostalgic, bittersweet sound that resonates deeply with listeners. Its tones, perfectly matched with the twilight scenery, have made the melody one that transcends generations.

The word “yonanuki” means the old Japanese way of reading numbers: Hi, Fu, Mi, Yo, Itsutsu, Mutsu, Nanatsu… without the 4 and 7 sounds.

A Song Etched in People’s Evening Memories

Thus, “Yuuyake Koyake” has become more than just a school song—it is a “song of dusk” that has woven itself into the fabric of Japanese daily life. Even today, when the melody plays in residential neighborhoods as a time signal, many people are reminded of their childhood walk home, or the evenings they spent playing with friends under the glowing sky. The song continues to live on in everyday life, making it one of the most widely cherished douyo in Japan.

It was also selected as one of the “100 Best Japanese Songs.

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.”