Statue of Yuji Koseki

[Fukushima Prefecture] Who is Yuji Koseki, the musician from Fukushima City who was the model for the NHK morning drama “Ale”?

Yuji Koseki is a musician associated with Fukushima City, Fukushima Prefecture .

She became a hot topic when she became a model in the 2020 NHK morning drama "Ale" During her 80 years of life, she created over 5,000 songs, including many famous songs that everyone has heard at least once.

This time, we will take a look at Yuji Koseki's history and spots related to Fukushima City.

What is Fukushima City, Fukushima Prefecture? Lots of ways to enjoy peaches, hot springs, spectacular views, etc.

Fukushima City is located in the northern part of Fukushima Prefecture. It is the prefectural capital and also a stop on the Tohoku Shinkansen.

The representative specialty product is peaches. During the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics, Fukushima Azuma Baseball Stadium was the venue for softball competitions, and it became a hot topic when the managers of both the American and Australian teams made comments praising Fukushima peaches.

In terms of leisure, there are many hot spring resorts where you can enjoy a variety of hot springs such as Iizaka Onsen, Takayu Onsen, and Tsuchiyu Onsen. The Bandai Azuma Skyline is also a popular driving course, and is a mountain road with many scenic spots overlooking the cityscape of Fukushima. Along the way, you can also enjoy Jododaira, an exotic landscape created by a volcanic eruption.

What kind of person is Yuji Koseki? What is a masterpiece?

Yuji Koseki, born in 1909 in Fukushima City, Fukushima Prefecture, a musician who is said to have composed as many as 5,000 pieces during his lifetime . It may be fresh in your memory that it was featured as a model for the 2020 NHK TV drama series “Ale.”

He has created many hit songs, including popular songs, popular songs, and movie music. he is known for composing songs for professional baseball teams ( Rokko Oroshi for the Hanshin Tigers , Fighting Spirit for the Yomiuri Giants He has also composed many school songs for schools across the country, including his alma mater, Fukushima Commercial High School.

After the end of the war, he focused his efforts on activities to use music to bring energy to a dark and anxious Japan, including ``The crown shines on you,'' which is played at Koshien every summer, and ``The Crown is Shining for You,'' which was played at the opening ceremony of the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. They have created songs that will remain in Japanese history for a long time, such as ``Olympic March''

By the way, his wife, Kaneko Uchiyama, with whom he supported each other throughout their lives as a married couple, is from Toyohashi City, Aichi Prefecture. Kaneko, who wanted to become a vocalist, sent Yuji a fan letter, which led to more than 100 letters of correspondence before their marriage.

Introducing spots related to Yuji Koseki in Fukushima City

Yuji Koseki was chosen as Fukushima City's first honorary citizen in 1979. We will introduce you to spots where you can retrace your life's progress.

  • Fukushima City Yuji Koseki Memorial Museum
  • JR Fukushima Station
  • Yuji Koseki's birthplace monument
  • Fukushima march monument
  • Pray to the Dawn Monument

Let's take a closer look at each.

Fukushima City Yuji Koseki Memorial Museum (Irie-cho, Fukushima City)

This memorial hall was established to pass on the achievements and melodies of Yuji Koseki to future generations and to promote the music culture of Fukushima City.

In the exhibition corner, you can see photo panels, handwritten colored paper, musical scores, etc. There is also a space that recreates the room used when composing music, as well as a corner where you can watch videos and music.

In addition, the adjacent Fukushin Yume no Ongakudo Hall is famous for its long reverberation time and rich reverberation compared to other concert halls in Japan, and concerts centered on classical music are held here from time to time. It might be a good idea to time your visit to coincide with an event and spend a day immersed in music.

Fukushima City Yuji Koseki Memorial Museum ＜Information＞

  • Name: Fukushima City Yuji Koseki Memorial Museum
  • Address: 1-1 Iriecho, Fukushima City, Fukushima Prefecture 960-8117
  • Phone number: 024-531-3012
  • Official URL: https://www.kosekiyuji-kinenkan.jp/

Google Map

JR Fukushima Station

Statue of Yuji Koseki (Fukushima Station)
Statue of Yuji Koseki (Fukushima Station)

At JR Fukushima Station, the gateway to Fukushima, the Koseki Melody is used as the departure melody. The departure melody for the Shinkansen is ``The crown is shining on you,'' which is famous for the summer Koshien tournament, and the departure melody for the conventional line is ``Kogen Train wa Go,'' a hit song sung by Atsuro Okamoto. Please enjoy the melody that echoes inside the station.

Additionally, at the entrance to the plaza from the east exit of JR Fukushima Station, there is a monument built to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Yuji Koseki's birth. It depicts Yuji Koseki playing his favorite organ, and the Koseki melody plays every 30 minutes from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

JR Fukushima Station ＜Information＞

Google Map

Yuji Koseki Birthplace Monument (Okitama-cho, Fukushima City)

This monument was built on the site of the Kitasan Kimono Store, the birthplace of Yuji Koseki. A melody composed by Yuji Koseki is played three times a day.

Birthplace of Yuji Koseki Monument <Information>

  • Name: Birthplace of Yuji Koseki (Kitasan Kimono Store Ruins)
  • Address: Passenaka Misse 1F, 8-8 Okitama-cho, Fukushima City, Fukushima Prefecture 960-8041
  • Phone number: -
  • Official URL: -

Google Map

Fukushima March song monument (Sugitsuma-cho, Fukushima City)

This is a stone monument inscribed with the lyrics of Yuji Koseki's compositional debut, ``Fukushima March,'' which was recorded in 1930 It was established in 2009 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of his birth.

Fukushima March Song Monument <Information>

  • Name: Yuji Koseki Monument “Fukushima March”
  • Address: 3 Sugitsuma-cho, Fukushima City, Fukushima Prefecture 960-8065
  • Phone number: -
  • Official URL: -

Google Map

Poem monument praying for the dawn (Shinbuyama 1st Observation Deck)

Lyrics: Toshio Nomura (born in Fukushima City), sung by Hisao Ito (born in Motomiya City), composer: Yuji Koseki. This is a stone monument inscribed with the lyrics to ``Pray to the Dawn'' by ``Fukushima Sanba Karasu.''

Monument to pray for the dawn <Information>

  • Name: Yuji Koseki poem monument “Praying at the Dawn”
  • Address: 7 Miyamahayama, Fukushima City, Fukushima Prefecture 960-8252
  • Phone number: -
  • Official URL: -

Google Map

summary

This time, we introduced the history and origins of Yuji Koseki, a musician from Fukushima City, Fukushima Prefecture.

Yuji Koseki excited the music world of the Showa era and created many famous songs that are still heard today. The music that they made with all their heart to brighten the post-war world was engraved in people's hearts. When you visit Fukushima City, why not come and hear the melody that he dedicated his life to?

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