Soshun-fu: The Iconic School Song from Usuki-born Lyricist Kazumasa Yoshimaru

A Beloved Song of Early Spring

On October 5th, a touching musical event titled “Another Early Spring: The Resonance of Two ‘Soshun-fu’ Songs — A Poetic Reunion between Taketa and Usuki” was held at the Usuki Civic Hall.

Many Japanese grew up singing “Soshun-fu” (Early Spring) — a graceful school song written in 1913 by lyricist Kazumasa Yoshimaru and composer Akira Nakata. Later selected as one of “Japan’s 100 Most Treasured Songs,” it continues to remind listeners of the delicate beauty of Japan’s changing seasons.

Kazumasa Yoshimaru: A Lyricist from Usuki

But few may know that lyricist Kazumasa Yoshimaru was born right here in Usuki. A brilliant student, he studied at Tokyo Imperial University (now the University of Tokyo) and later became a professor at the Tokyo Music School. His gentle words and refined poetic sense helped shape Japan’s shoka (school songs), influencing generations of music educators and composers.

Images of Kazumasa Yoshimaru, the Usuki-born lyricist best known for Soshun-fu

Images of Kazumasa Yoshimaru, the Usuki-born lyricist best known for Soshun-fu

A Forgotten Score Discovered in Taketa

This event also brought a surprising revelation — there was another version of Soshun-fu!

In 2021, among a collection of materials related to composer Rentarō Taki donated to the city of Taketa, a different Soshun-fu score was discovered. This version was composed by Eikichi Funabashi, a pioneering vocalist who performed in Japan’s first-ever rendition of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony and helped shape modern Japanese vocal music.

This remarkable find was brought to life by Ryohei Morita, founder of Oita Prefecture’s first professional orchestra, the RENTARO Chamber Orchestra Kyushu. Morita and his ensemble rearranged Funabashi’s forgotten Soshun-fu for string quartet. Their performance wove together Nakata’s well-loved piece and Funabashi’s rediscovered gem into one moving musical reunion.

Live Concert Featuring Two Versions of Soshun-fu by the Rentaro Chamber Orchestra Kyushu

Live Concert Featuring Two Versions of Soshun-fu by the Rentaro Chamber Orchestra Kyushu

Two Songs, Two Cities, One Poetic Reunion

That day in Usuki, the voices of two cities — Taketa and Usuki — and two Soshun-fu songs met once again. The music carried not only the freshness of spring, but also the pride of Usuki, the hometown of a lyricist whose words still bloom in the hearts of the Japanese people.