National Anthem- Japan - 君が代 *NEW VERSION*
"Kimigayo", translated into English as "His Imperial Majesty's Reign", is the national anthem of Japan. The shortest and oldest national anthem in the world, the lyrics are from an ancient waka poem written by an unknown author during the Heian period,[1] which lasted from the late 8th century until the 12th century. The current melody, arranged by German composer Franz Eckert, was adopted on 3 November 1880, replacing an unpopular melody composed by Scottish Irish military musician John William Fenton in 1869.
History[]

Cover for the melody of the Japanese national hymn designed by Curt Netto (1847–1909) in 1880. The melody was arranged by Franz Eckert (1852–1916) and presented to the Japanese Emperor on 3 November 1880.
From 1888 to 1945, "Kimigayo" served as the national anthem of the Empire of Japan. When the Empire was dissolved following its surrender at the end of World War II, the State of Japan succeeded it in 1945. This successor statewas a parliamentary democracy, and the polity therefore changed from a system based on imperial sovereignty to one based on popular sovereignty. However, the U.S. occupation forces allowed Emperor Hirohito to retain the throne and "Kimigayo" remained the de facto national anthem. The passage of the Act on National Flag and Anthem in 1999 recognized it as the official national and imperial anthem.
Empire of Japan[]
In 1869 (Meiji 2), John William Fenton, a Scottish military band leader who was visiting, realized Japan didn't have an anthem, so he suggested to Satsuma Clan officer Iwao Ōyama that one be made, to which Ōyama agreed.[2] The lyrics may have been chosen for their similarity to British national anthem "God Save the King", due to Fenton's influence.[3] After selecting the anthem's lyrics, Ōyama then asked Fenton to create the melody. After being given just two[4] to three weeks to compose a melody and just a few days to rehearse, Fenton debuted the anthem before the Emperor in 1870 (Meiji 3).[3] This was the first version of "Kimigayo". However, the Japanese government was dissatisfied with his melody; it was ultimately rejected.[5]
In 1880 (Meiji 12), the Ministry of the Imperial Household adopted a new melody composed by Yoshiisa Oku and Akimori Hayashi, the latter of whom was one of Fenton's pupils.[3] Although the melody is based on a traditional mode of Japanese court music, it uses some elements of Fenton's original arrangement,[6] plus some Western style harmony applied by German musician Franz Eckert. Thus, the current version of "Kimigayo" was born. The government formally adopted "Kimigayo" as the national anthem in 1888 and had copies of the music and lyrics sent overseas for diplomatic ceremonies.[4] By 1893 (Meiji 26), "Kimigayo" was included in public school ceremonies due to the efforts of the then Ministry of Education.[7]
In the beginning of the 20th century, "Kimigayo" was beginning to be closely associated with the idea of honoring the Emperor. It was also associated as a part of Japanese education. However, opinions expressed in an Osaka paper in 1904 (Meiji 37) calls "Kimigayo" a song for the imperial family and not the state as a whole.[8] Uchimura Kanzo, a Christian leader in Japan, stated at the turn of the 20th century that "Kimigayo" is not the anthem of Japan by saying the song's purpose is to praise the emperor. According to Kanzo, a national anthem should express the feelings of the people, and not of the divine emperor.[9] The Japanese were not familiar with "Kimigayo" as the anthem until there was a surge of celebrations after victories in the First Sino-Japanese and Russo-Japanese Wars. Previously, papers were critical of fellow Japanese who could not sing "Kimigayo" properly at overseas ceremonies.[4]
During World War II, the Japanese Empire ordered that schoolchildren, both from its homeland and its colonies, were to sing the "Kimigayo" anthem and salute Emperor Hirohito every morning.
Post-war Japan[]
1945–1999[]
When the Allies occupied Japan flowing its surrender, there were no directives by SCAP to restrict the use of "Kimigayo" by the Japanese government. This was different from the regulations issued that restricted the use of the Hinomaru flag.[10] Along with the encouragement to use "Kimigayo" in schools to promote defense education and patriotism, the national broadcaster NHK began to use the song to announce the start and end of its programming.[11]
1999–present[]
The Act on National Flag and Anthem (国旗及び国歌に関する法律) was passed in 1999, choosing both the Hinomaru and "Kimigayo" as Japan's national symbols. The passage of the law stemmed from a suicide of a school principal in Hiroshima, who could not resolve a dispute between his school board and his teachers over the use of the flag and anthem.[12]
In 2000, Prime Minister Keizou Obuchi of the LDP decided to draft legislation to make the flag and anthem official symbols of Japan—shortly before his death later that year. His CCS, Hiromu Nonaka, wanted the legislation to be completed by the 10th anniversary of the coronation of Akihito as Emperor.[13] This is not the first time legislation was considered for establishing both symbols as official. In 1974, with the backdrop of the 1972 return of Okinawa to Japan and the first oil crisis in 1973, Prime Minister Kakuei Tanaka hinted at a law being passed legalizing both symbols.[14]
The main supporters of the bill were the right-wing LDP and CGP; the oppositions included the left-wing SDP and the Communist Party. Meanwhile, a Waseda University professor stated that "Kimigayo" is a separate issue more complex than the Hinomaru flag.[15] Attempts to designate only the Hinomaru as the national flag by the parties during the bill vote were rejected.[16] The House of Representatives passed the bill on July 22, 1999, by a 403 to 86 vote.[17] The legislation was sent to the House of Councilors on July 28 and was passed on August 9. It was enacted into law on August 13.[18]
Protocol[]
Public schools[]
Since the end of World War II, the Ministry of Education has issued statements and regulations to promote the usage of both the Hinomaru and "Kimigayo" at schools under their jurisdiction. The first of these statements was released in 1950, stating that it was desirable, but not required, to use both symbols. This desire was later expanded to include both symbols on national holidays and during ceremonial events to encourage students on what national holidays are and to promote defense education. The Ministry not only took great measures to explain that both symbols are not formally established by law, they also referred to "Kimigayo" as a song and refused to call it the national anthem. It was not until 1977 that the Ministry referred to "Kimigayo" as the national anthem of Japan.[19]
In a 1989 reform of the education guidelines, the LDP-controlled government first demanded that the Hinomaru flag must be used in school ceremonies and that proper respect must be given to it and to "Kimigayo".[20] Punishments for school officials who did not follow this order were also enacted with the 1989 reforms.[19]
The 1999 curriculum guideline issued by the Ministry of Education after the passage of the Law Regarding the National Flag and Anthem decrees that "on entrance and graduation ceremonies, schools must raise the flag of Japan and instruct students to sing the "Kimigayo" (national anthem), given the significance of the flag and the song."[21] Additionally, the ministry's commentary on 1999 curriculum guideline for elementary schools note that "given the advance of internationalization, along with fostering patriotism and awareness of being Japanese, it is important to nurture school children's respectful attitude toward the flag of Japan and "Kimigayo" as they grow up to be respected Japanese citizens in an internationalized society."[22] The ministry also stated that if Japanese students cannot respect their own symbols, then they will not be able to respect the symbols of other nations.[23]
Modern day perception[]

"Kimigayo" being played before a volleyball tournament in Osaka.
According to a survey conducted by TV Asahi, most Japanese people perceived "Kimigayo" as an important, yet a controversial song even before the passage of the Act on National Flag and Anthem in 1999.[24] However, a poll in the same year conducted by the Mainichi Shimbun found that most respondents opposed legislation making it the national anthem or felt the Diet should take more time in passing such a law.[25] Many Japanese students, who must sing the song at entrance and graduation ceremonies, say they cannot understand the old and obsolete language of the lyrics and are not educated on its historical uses.[26] Controversies surrounding the use of the anthem in school events still remain.
Lyrics[]
As the shortest national anthem in the world by length, the official Japanese text contains only 24 characters: 11 Kanji and 13 Hiragana. The total number of syllables is 32. Due to its short length, the anthem is played at a very slow tempo, at a minor key.
Current lyrics[]

Sazare-ishi (さざれ石), a kind of boulder grown from pebbles, which is used as a symbol of national unity in the anthem.
Japanese official[]
Kanji | Hiragana | IPA |
---|---|---|
君が代は |
きみがよ は |
[ki.mi.ɡa.ꜜjo ɰa] |
In other scripts[]
Latin ローマ字 |
Tai-lo 台湾ローマ字 |
Cyrillic キリ字 |
Greek ギリ字 |
Mongolian モンゴ字 |
Hangul ハン字 |
Thai タイ字 |
Lao ラオ字 |
Khmer カンボ字 |
Devanagari インド字 |
Bengali–Assamese バングラ字 |
Tamil タミ字 |
Arabic アラブ字 |
Hebrew ヘブラ字 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Kimigayo wa |
Khi-mih--gah ioo--ua |
Кимигаёва |
Κιμιγάϳοβα |
ᠻᠢᠮᠢᠭᠠᠶᠣ ᠸᠠ
|
키미가요와 |
คิมิงะโยะวะ |
ຄິມິງາໂຍະວາ |
គីមីហ្គាយ៉ុវ៉ះ |
किमिगयोवा |
কিমিগায়োওয়া |
கிமிஙாயொவா |
كِمَگَيُوَ |
קִימִיגַאיוֹ ווַּא |
English version[]
Thousands of years of happy reign be thine;
Rule on, my lord, until what are pebbles now
By ages united to mighty rocks shall grow
Whose venerable sides the moss doth line.[29]
A more literal translation[]
- May your reign
- Continue for a thousand, eight thousand generations,
- Until the tiny pebbles
- Grow into massive boulders
- Lush with moss[30]
Esperanto version[]
In the 1930's, an Esperanto version was translated by a Japanese Esperantist named Osaka Kenji (小坂狷二).[31]
Daŭru longe lia tron'!
Ĝi eterne glora restos,
Ĝis el ŝton' kreskos jen
Forta roko por la ben' —
Verda ĝin muskos vestos.
Mandarin version used in Taiwan and mainland China[]
吾君壽長久
千代長存八千代
永末歲常青
直至細石成巨巖
巖上生苔不止息
Cantonese version used in Hong Kong[]
皇祚連綿兮久長
萬世不變兮悠長
小石凝結成巖兮
更巖生綠苔之祥
Indonesian version[]
Semoga Kaisar
dan Negara Jepang
kekal abadi
selama-lamanya.
Original Heian-era lyrics[]
The lyrics first appeared in the Kokin Wakashū, a poetry anthology published anonymously in the year 920. The poem was included in many anthologies, and was used in a later period as a celebration song of a long life by people of all social statures. The first lyrics were changed during the Kamakura period, while the rest of the lyrics stayed the same. Because the lyrics were sung on formal occasions, such as birthdays, there was no sheet music for it until the 19th century.[7]
The only difference between the original lyrics and the current official lyrics is the slight variation in the first line of the poem.
Poem text (913 A.D.)
| ||||||||||||||||||
我が君は | わがきみわ | Waga kimi wa | ||||||||||||||||
千代に八千代に | ちよにやちよに | Chiyo ni yachiyo ni | ||||||||||||||||
細石の | さざれいしの | Sazare-ishino | ||||||||||||||||
巖と成りて | いわおとなりて | Iwao to narite | ||||||||||||||||
苔の生す迄 | こけのむすまで | Koke no musu made |
Controversies[]
The Japanese national anthem has been involved in some controversies due to its post-war history.[32] It has stirred frenzy among Japanese people, particularly those in schools, which have wound up in such controversies over both the national anthem as well as the national flag.[33] The Tokyo Board of Education requires the use of both "Kimigayo" and flag at events under their jurisdiction. The order requires school teachers to respect both symbols or risk losing their jobs.[34] In 1999, several teachers in Hiroshima refused to put up the anthem while the Hiroshima Education Board demanded that they do so. As the tension arose between them, a vice-principal committed suicide. Since then, many more have expressed their anger toward the government as the anthem (and flag) have been the main root of it.
Trivia[]
- While the title "Kimigayo" is usually translated as "His Imperial Majesty's Reign", no official translation of the title or lyrics has been established in law.[35]
- The composer who rearranged the melody in 1880, Franz Eckert, was also the composer for the melody of the National Anthem of the Korean Empire (대한제국 애국가).
References[]
- ↑ Japan
Kimigayo
君が代 - ↑ Japan searches for Scot who modernised nation (2006-03-14). Sabadus, Aura. The Scotsman. Published by Johnston Press Digital Publishing.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Briton who gave Japan its anthem (2005-08-30). Joyce, Colin. Telegraph.co.uk. Published by Telegraph Media Group Limited.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 State Making in Asia (2006). Boyd, Richard; Tak-Wing Ngo. Routledge. p. 40. ISBN 978-0-415-34611-5.
- ↑ National Flag and Anthem
- ↑ Hoiku shōka and the melody of the Japanese national anthem Kimi ga yo
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Japan's Neo-Nationalism: The Role of the Hinomaru and Kimigayo Legislation (2001). Itoh, Mayumi. Japan Policy Research Institute Working Paper. 79.
- ↑ Case Studies on Human Rights in Japan (1996). Goodman, Roger; Ian Neary. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-873410-35-6.
- ↑ Japanese Schooling: Patterns of Socialization, Equality, and Political Control (1989). Shields, James J. Jr. Penn State University Press. p. 241. ISBN 978-0-271-02340-3.
- ↑ Case Studies on Human Rights in Japan (1996). p. 81. Goodman, Roger; Ian Neary. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-873410-35-6.
- ↑ Goodman, Roger; Neary, Ian (1996). p. 82.
- ↑ Aspinall, Robert (2001). Teachers' Unions and the Politics of Education in Japan. State University of New York Press. p. 126.
- ↑ Itoh, Mayumi (2003). The Hatoyama Dynasty: Japanese Political Leadership Through the Generations. Palgrave Macmillan. pp. 209–210.
- ↑ Goodman, Roger; Neary, Ian (1996). pp. 82–83.
- ↑ Contemporary Japanese Thought (2005). Calichman, Richard. Columbia University Press. p. 211. ISBN 978-0-231-13620-4.
- ↑ 国旗・国歌法案、衆院で可決 民主党は自主投票 (1999-07-22)
- ↑ 第145回国会 本会議 第47号
- ↑ 議案審議経過情報: 国旗及び国歌に関する法律案
- ↑ 19.0 19.1 Goodman; Neary (1996). pp. 81–83.
- ↑ Trevor (2001). p. 78.
- ↑ 学習指導要領における国旗及び国歌の取扱い
- ↑ 小学校学習指導要領解説社会編,音楽編,特別活動編
- ↑ Aspinall (2001). p. 125.
- ↑ 国旗・国歌法制化について
- ↑ Flag-anthem law no end to controversy (1999-07-09). Japan Times.
- ↑ 'Kimigayo' controversy leaves students indifferent, confused (1999-07-09). Japan Times.
- ↑ 27.0 27.1 http://law.e-gov.go.jp/htmldata/H11/H11HO127.html
- ↑ National Flag and Anthem
- ↑ Japanski Ustav (Nihonkoku Kempo)
- ↑ Japanese Education Reform: Nakasone's Legacy (2001). Hood, Christopher. Routledge. p. 166. ISBN 978-0-415-23283-8.
- ↑ La Revuo Orienta (1932)
- ↑ Republic or Death! Travels in Search of National Anthems (2016). Marshall, Alex. London: Windmill Books. pp. 99–100. ISBN 978-0-09-959223-5.
- ↑ For Japanese, Flag and Anthem Sometimes Divide (1990-04-29). Weisman, Steven R. The New York Times.
- ↑ A touchy subject (2006-06-05). McCurry, Justin. The Guardian.
- ↑ Elementary schools face new mandate: Patriotism, 'Kimigayo' (2008-03-29). The Japan Times Online. Kyodo News.