Synopsis

Choral singing is a ubiquitous element of Japanese life, enjoyed by people of all ages and woven into the fabric of everyday occurrences – school functions, excursions, baseball games, and countless other moments. This tradition stems from a historical practice of employing song to impart moral instruction and historical lessons. In this installment of Japanology Plus, we explore the reasons behind the Japanese affinity for communal singing, with insights from musicologist Hiroshi Watanabe, who