PONY CANYON

INTERNATIONAL LICENSING

Tokyo Rhapsody

Original Title

歌謡曲だよ、人生は
Kayokyoku dayo jinsei wa

INTRODUCTION

The Japanese title - "Kayokyoku - Life Itself" points to the defining element of this omnibus of 11 short films; the extraordinary music genre known as "Kayokyoku".

Kayokyoku is a catch-all term to describe the music that defined two generations of post-war Japan. As evidenced in this collection of films, some of it is strongly rooted in the tradition of Japanese ballads from pre-modern times, and some is influenced by the developing musical currents of Western music from the 50's, 60's and thereafter. Although the term survives, it has a strong connotation with a simpler, pre-"Economic Bubble" era when Japanese people shared a common identity in the reconstruction of their nation.