Background information of songs to practice 練習曲の背景情報

(prepared by Mr Bengt Tegner)

Song's background

"Furusato" was written by Teiichi Okano (岡野貞一) with words by Tatsuyuki Takano (高野辰之). The song appeared in 1914 in the authorised elementary school song book. Some consider that the music was inspired by Christian hymns, since the composer was trained as an organist at a church. But the song was created in consideration of making a proper Japanese song without using western tunes. 

The song once disappeared from the authorised elementary school song book from 1942 during the World War II. But it reappeared after the war and  been still in a school music book. Thus this song is well known in Japan, shown in the fact that it got the second highest votes when selecting 100 Japanese songs in 1989. An English version called "Country Home" has been recorded by Greg Irwin.

It has even been suggested that Furusato should be sung as a new national anthem of Japan, since there is an argument that the current one has been carrying some militaristic overtones.

Interpretation of the lyrics

The song is about someone remembering his/her homeland while working/studying away from there. The third verse says something like returning home when you achieve what you hope for. This song would appeal to anybody who is away from home and trying to attain something there.