Yamada Kosaku Memorial Day

What Is Yamada Kosaku Memorial Day?

December 29 marks the death of Yamada Kosaku, the composer and conductor who died on this day in 1965. He left behind works still sung today, including the children's song "Aka Tombo" (Red Dragonfly) and the art songs "Karatachi no Hana" and "Kono Michi."

Melodies Shaped by the Rhythm of Japanese

Born in 1886, Yamada graduated from the Tokyo Music School -- now Tokyo University of the Arts -- and studied at the Royal Academy of Arts in Berlin. He worked to write melodies that followed the natural intonation of the Japanese language, producing works that remain landmarks in Japanese music.

• Life: June 9, 1886 - December 29, 1965
• Best-known works: the children's song "Aka Tombo," and the songs "Karatachi no Hana" and "Kono Michi"
• Study abroad: at the Royal Academy of Arts in Berlin, funded by Iwasaki Koyata of the Mitsubishi zaibatsu
• Symphony: in 1912 he wrote "Kachidoki to Heiwa," the first symphony by a Japanese composer
• Orchestra: in 1924 he founded the Japan Symphony Association with Konoe Hidemaro, the forerunner of today's NHK Symphony Orchestra

"Aka Tombo" Came from His Chigasaki Years

Around the age of 40, Yamada settled in the town of Chigasaki in Kanagawa and lived there about six years. He was deep in debt after his orchestra ventures failed, yet it was there that many of his best-known children's songs, "Aka Tombo" among them, were written. The copyright on his works expired on December 31, 2015.

Tips for Marking This Day

• Listen again to "Aka Tombo" or "Kono Michi"
• Read about the lyricists Kitahara Hakushu and Miki Rofu
• Listen for how the melody follows the intonation of the words
• Look for Japanese songs featured in year-end music programs

A Man Who Left Melodies Everyone Knows

You may not know the name, but you know the tune. December 29 is a day to remember that behind a familiar children's song stands one composer's life.