Japanese popular songs (probably) influenced by Japanese traditional music

I am not an expert on music or Japanese culture. I can't tell you what genres of traditional music they are inspired by, but these songs all have that flavor to them that people universally love. Many may just be the use of traditional instruments, but I am sure most implement some styles from Japanese traditional music.

This question started for me when I began to realize how many loved the songs Forbidden Colours and Sukiyaki (Ue o Muite Arukō). I happened to know a few additional songs that these people might enjoy.

 

Sukiyaki (Ue o Muite Arukō) covered by Hikaru Nishida

This is the song that was the biggest hit in the west in a cover performance by Hikaru Nishida. It was originally sung by Kyu Sakamoto (no relation to Ryuichi Sakamoto). Kyu Sakamoto died in the Japan Air Lines Flight 123 disaster of 1985, along with 519 other people who also perished. Nishida herself didn't have a lot of success outside of TV appearances it seems, and doesn't appear to have committed a version to album.

 

Forbidden Colours sung by David Sylvian (live)

Many will also know Forbidden Colours as sung by David Sylvian. It was written by Ryuichi Sakamoto for the film Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence starring David Bowie (always wondered why David Bowie himself didn't do a version). This version is from a live album by Sakamoto called Cinemage, but apparently the voice was recorded back stage and inserted over the top of the music.

 

FYI (Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence) by Hikaru Utada

Hikaru Utada also done her own song version of the theme:

 

Ballad by Ayumi Hamasaki (2010)

Ayumi Hamasaki is the biggest selling solo artist in Japanese history and the second biggest selling Japanese music act, and for good reason with songs like this. This was partnered with You Were... and was the 56th highest charting single in the Oricon charts in 2010.

 

 

Nettaigyo no Namida (熱帯魚の涙; Tears of a Tropical Fish) by Flower (2014)

Flower were a spin-off project of some of E-Girls. This was the 175th highest selling single on the Oricon charts in 2014.

 

Kingyo Hanabi (金魚花火; Goldfish Fireworks) by Ai Otsuka (2004)

The extremely cute Ai Otsuka appears to have always been a solo artist, as opposed to an idol who became solo. This was the 59th highest selling single on the Oricon charts in 2004.

 

 

Tida ~Taiyou Kaji nu Umui~ (てぃだ ～太陽・風ぬ想い～) by Rimi Natsukawa

Rimi Natsukawa.

 

Purple Sky by Core of Soul (2004)

This is a personal favourite of mine, but it barely charted in Japan reaching #97 and was out of the charts within 2 weeks for some baffling reason.

 

 

 

Piriri to Yukou! (ピリリと行こう!; Let's Spice Things Up!) by Berryz Kobo (2004)

Berryz Kobo appears to have been a cutesy kids act who released several albums. This irresistible song barely peaked in the top 40 in Japan and then quickly left the charts, selling just 10,000 copies.

 

Sakura Mankai (さくら満開; Cherry Blossoms in Full Bloom) by Morning Musume Sakura Gumi (2004)

Morning Musume Sakura Gumi was a spin-off from Morning Musume. So you won't find this song on any albums or collections by Morning Musume. Additionally, the Sakura Gumi side project never released an album, so you won't find it on any album of theirs. It did feature on one Hello Project compilation, but the DVD component only. Making the only way that I know of to obtain this song being the CD single, and there aren't a lot of them around having sold only around 60,000 copies.

Chisa Yokoyama

The next one is by Chisa Yokoyama. She was a anime voice actress for something called Sakura Wars. I have no knowledge of this anime. This appears to be a stage play spin-off of Sakura Wars. I don't speak Japanese, so don't know what she is singing. She could be singing about fish heads and I wouldn't know. But it's genuinely nice sounding and features a cute parasol dance.

 

 

 

Akatsuki no Ito (暁ノ糸; Thread of Dawn) by Wagakki Band (2015)

Wagakki Band seems to have not gone under the radar. Senbonzakura (千本桜; Thousand Cherry Blossoms) has over 150 million views on YouTube. This song has 17 million and is equally deserving. Does not appear to have been released as a single?

Chururi Chururi ra (ちゅるりちゅるりら) by Dempagumi.inc (2014)

Getting into the little bit ridiculous category, but Dempagumi.inc is always fun if you get it. This song did not make the top 200 Oricon singles that year. It also features some Sakura Sakura (a famous Japanese traditional folk song).

Minna de ne ~PANDA with Candy BEAR's~ / "Ikiru" (みんなでね; Like Everyone / 「生きる」; Living) by alan (2011)

alan (Alan Dawa Dolma) is Tibetian Chinese. She released a few albums for the Japanese market, including songs like this that feature traditional sounding influences. This incredible song topped at a weekly position of #25 and was out of the charts altogether in 2 weeks. It also doesn't appear to have made any album, and post-dated her Japanese 'best of' collection by 3 months so is another song that only seems to appear on single.