Koji Nogami and Hiroto Tsukasa Ride Enka Boom in Tenjinbashi Live Performance at High School Graduation

It was late March, when the cherry blossoms had yet to bloom in central Tokyo. It was the graduation season in Japan, and at a high school in Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture, an unusual scene could be seen.

Graduation songs are different for each generation. Some people think of “Aogeba Toutoshi” or “Sotsugyou Shashin” by Yumi Arai (Yumi Arai), while more recently, “March 9th” by Remioromen or “YELL” by Ikimono-gakari are well known.

Yet, for some reason, there was a school where a live performance of a song was given immediately after the graduation ceremony. The smash hit “Tenjinbashi” was sung by Koji Nogami and Hiroto Tsukasa at the “Oozora High School Sendai Campus.

Nogami-san took the stage,

The moment I stepped on stage, I was surrounded by the smiling faces of the high school students spread out before me. I have been on many stages in my life, but this was the most exciting and moving experience I have ever had!

I have been on many stages in my life, but this was the most exciting and moving experience I have ever had!

Behind the “surprise appearance” on the day of the graduation ceremony, there was a good story.

The reason for the “surprise appearance” on the day of the graduation ceremony was a “good story” behind the “surprise appearance. The students sang and danced in the school wearing sunglasses. They won the grand prize.

Although “Tenjinbashi” has been a hit in many parts of Japan, it has yet to become a big hit. Moreover, the fact that a group of high school students produced a video of the song as a group was something that no one had expected.

As a way to return the favor to Oozora High School, Ms. Nogami and Mr. Tsukasa made a surprise appearance after the graduation ceremony. Mr. Nogami said

I can’t express how happy I am that the high school students sang our song “Tenjinbashi” and made a video of it. The connection made through music will last a lifetime!

He was deeply moved. Tsukasa was also deeply moved.

I felt that if I could continue to connect with various people through music, my life as a singer would become even more enjoyable!

It was a joy to perform in front of graduating high school students.

Young people in Japan and abroad are currently enjoying an unprecedented “Showa song boom,” partly due to the ease with which they can view videos of past songs on YouTube, Instagram, and other online platforms.

Songs such as Miki Matsubara’s “Midnight Door/Stay with me” released in 1979 and Yoko Oginome’s “Dancing Hero (Eat You Up)” (1985) are probably heard frequently these days.

It was in the midst of this Showa-era song boom that the “song surprise” performance took place after the graduation ceremony. One of the students who participated in the video shooting of “Tenjinbashi” said, “It was tough shooting the video, but it was a great experience for me,

The students who participated in the video shooting of “Tenjinbashi” said, “It was hard work shooting the video, but it was a lot of fun! I was able to become both Ms. Nogami and Mr. Tsukasa. I didn’t think I would win, so thank you for choosing me!

Their surprise appearance almost made me break into a chorus of “Osaka, Osaka, Osaka! We didn’t know it was a surprise for us, but we were so surprised!　It gave us the best memories!

He told us.

High school students sang and danced to songs on ……. This may be a sign of a new movement in the song and enka world.