great man

Statue of Yuji Koseki

Who is Yuji Koseki? The musician from Fukushima City who inspired the NHK morning drama "Yell" [Fukushima Prefecture]

Koseki Yuji is a musician with ties to Fukushima City, Fukushima Prefecture .

the model for the NHK morning drama "Yell" in 2020. He produced over 5,000 songs over his 80-year life, including many masterpieces that everyone has heard at least once.

This time, we will be looking at the journey of Koseki Yuji and spots associated with him in Fukushima City

Fukushima City, Fukushima Prefecture: Peaches, Hot Springs, Scenic Views, and More!

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

A representative local product is peaches. Fukushima Azuma Baseball Stadium will be the venue for the softball competition at the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics, and the coaches of both the American and Australian teams made comments praising Fukushima peaches, which became a hot topic

In terms of leisure, there are many hot springs, with a variety of spring qualities to enjoy at Iizaka Onsen, Takayu Onsen, and Tsuchiyu Onsen. The Bandai-Azuma Skyline is also a popular driving course, a mountain road with a series of scenic spots overlooking the cityscape of Fukushima. Along the way, you can also enjoy Jododaira, a landscape that looks almost exotic, created by a volcanic eruption

Who is Yuji Koseki? What are his representative works?

Born in Fukushima City, Fukushima Prefecture in 1909, Yuji Koseki a musician who is said to have composed over 5,000 songs in his lifetime . He may also be remembered for being featured as the inspiration for the 2020 NHK morning drama "Yell."

He has written many hit songs, popular songs, film music, and more. In addition, he is known for his brave and dignified melodies, and is also famous for composing professional baseball team songs (such as Rokko Oroshi for the Hanshin Tigers and Toukon Komete 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 war, he devoted himself particularly to activities to bring cheer to a dark and anxious Japan through music, and that will remain in Japanese history for a long time, such as "Eikan wa Kimi ni Kagayaku," "Olympic March," which was used at the opening ceremony of the 1964 Tokyo Olympics

His wife, Kaneko Uchiyama, who supported him throughout their lives as a loving couple, was originally from Toyohashi City, Aichi Prefecture. Kaneko, who aspired to be a vocalist, sent Yuji a fan letter, which led to an exchange of over 100 letters before they got married

Introducing Fukushima City's spots associated with Yuji Koseki

Yuji Koseki was appointed the first honorary citizen of Fukushima City in 1979. We will introduce you to spots where you can retrace his life's journey

  • Fukushima City Koseki Yuji Memorial Museum
  • JR Fukushima Station
  • Monument to the birthplace of Yuji Koseki
  • Fukushima March monument
  • Monument to Pray at Dawn

Let's take a closer look at each one

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

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

In the exhibition area, you can see photo panels, autographed colored paper, sheet music, etc. There is also a space that recreates the room he used when composing, and an area where you can watch videos and listen to music

Additionally, the adjacent Fukushima Dream Music Hall is famous for its long reverberation time and rich sound, even among concert halls nationwide, and classical concerts are regularly held here. It might be a good idea to visit at the same time as an event and spend a day immersed in music

Fukushima City Koseki Yuji Memorial Museum <Information>

  • Name: Fukushima City Koseki Yuji Memorial Museum
  • Address: 1-1 Iriemachi, 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 Koseki Yuji (Fukushima Station)
Statue of Koseki Yuji (Fukushima Station)

At JR Fukushima Station, the gateway to Fukushima, the Furusawa Melody is used as the departure melody. The Shinkansen departure melody is "Eikan wa Kimi ni Kagayaku," famous for the Summer Koshien, while the departure melody for conventional trains is "Kogen Ressha wa Iku," a hit song sung by Atsuro Okamoto. Be sure to enjoy the melodies echoing throughout the station

At the entrance to the plaza just outside the east exit of JR Fukushima Station, there is a monument erected to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the birth of Yuji Koseki. It is modeled after Yuji Koseki playing his beloved organ, and plays his melodies every 30 minutes from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM

JR Fukushima Station <Information>

Google Map

Monument to the birthplace of Yuji Koseki (Okitama-cho, Fukushima City)

This monument was erected on the site of the Kitasan Kimono Shop, where Yuji Koseki was born. Melodies composed by Yuji Koseki are played three times a day

Yuji Koseki's Birthplace Monument ＜Information＞

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

Google Map

Fukushima March monument (Sugitsuma-cho, Fukushima City)

This stone monument bears the lyrics of "Fukushima March," the debut composition by Yuji Koseki, which was recorded in 1931. It was erected in 2009 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of his birth.

Fukushima March Monument <Information>

  • Name: Monument to Yuji Koseki's poem "Fukushima March"
  • Address: 3 Sugitsuma-cho, Fukushima City, Fukushima Prefecture, 960-8065
  • Phone number: -
  • Official URL: -

Google Map

Monument to Pray at Dawn (Mount Shinobu First Observation Deck)

This stone monument is engraved with the lyrics of "Pray at Dawn," a song written by the "Fukushima Three Crows": lyrics by Toshio Nomura (from Fukushima City), singer by Hisao Ito (from Motomiya City), and music by Yuji Koseki

Monument to Pray at Dawn <Information>

  • Name: Monument to the poem by Yuji Koseki "Praying at Dawn"
  • Address: 7 Miyamayama, Fukushima City, Fukushima Prefecture, 960-8252
  • Phone number: -
  • Official URL: -

Google Map

summary

This time we introduced the career and places associated with the musician Yuji Koseki, who was born in Fukushima City, Fukushima Prefecture

Yuji Koseki enlivened the music world of the Showa era and produced many famous songs that are still heard today. His music, which he created with all his heart to brighten the post-war world, has left an impression on people's hearts. If you visit Fukushima City, why not experience the melodies that he dedicated his life to?

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