12 Japanese Songs

12 Jan 2026

Solo guitar
Seasonal cycle of Japanese songs, arranged by Toshio Hosokawa
Fantastic repertoire resource
Ideal for teaching and recitals
Published by Schott Music

Written for solo guitar by Toshio Hosokawa, this collection of Japanese songs was arranged for guitarist Jacob Kellermann, who also gave the world premiere in Sweden (2023). The work brings together twelve well-known Japanese melodies, presented as a seasonal cycle inspired by the twelve months of the year.

The programme begins with Sakura (Cherry Blossom) in April, a symbol of spring and renewal in Japan, and concludes in March with Edo no Komori Uta, a traditional lullaby from the Edo period. While the monthly sequence provides an overarching structure, each piece may be performed individually, giving performers flexibility on stage and in lessons.

A valuable repertoire resource, the songs draw on a rich variety of sources. Several are traditional folk melodies of unknown origin, including Sakura, Tooryanse, and Edo no Komori Uta. Others date from the Meiji period (1868–1912) and later, when Western musical influences began to shape Japanese music. Many of these songs entered popular consciousness through children’s songs and remain popular today.

The twelve songs in the collection are:

April: Sakura (Cherry Blossom)
May: Haru no Ogawa (Brook of Spring), composed by Teiichi Okano, 1912
June: Tooryanse (traditional children’s song)
July: Kokyo (Hometown), composed by Teiichi Okano, 1914
August: Yamadera no Osho-san (The Monk of the Mountain Temple), composed by Ryoichi Hattori, 1937
September: Akatombo (Red Dragonfly), composed by Kosaku Yamada, 1927
October: Kojo no Tsuki (Moon over the Ruined Castle), composed by Rentaro Taki, 1901
November: Yuyake Koyake (Sunset), composed by Makoto Kusakawa, 1923
December: Yuki no Furu Machi o (A Snowy Town), composed by Yoshinao Nakata, 1952
January: Oshogatsu (New Year), composed by Rentaro Taki, 1901
February: Kaasan no Uta (Mother’s Song), composed by Satoshi Kubota, 1956
March: Edo no Komori Uta (Lullaby of Edo), traditional lullaby

An additional lullaby by Hosokawa is included as an appendix. Jacob Kellermann performed this piece as an encore at the first performance of the new arrangements.