Kanda River -Kandagawa- / Kaguyahime

Song Introduction

• Song Title: Kanda River
• Artist: Kaguyahime
• Lyrics: Makoto Kitajō
• Composer: Kōsetsu Minam
• Record Label: PANAM (Japan Crown)
• Release Date: September 20, 1973
• Overview: Released on September 20, 1973, “Kanda River” by Kagayakihime topped the Oricon weekly charts and ranked 6th on the Oricon yearly chart, selling over 1.6 million copies.

• Article Source:
  • Kanda River(Song)-Wikipedia
  • Kaguyahime(Band)-Wikipedia

About Song & Lyric

Drawing inspiration from his days as a Waseda University student, lyricist Makoto Kitajō penned the heartfelt ballad “Kanda River,” imbuing the lyrics with vivid memories of his life near the river with his lover. The song captures the essence of young love and the challenges of a modest life, with evocative imagery such as “a public bath in a back alley.” The melody, composed by Kōsetsu Minam in a mere three minutes after hearing Kitajo recite the lyrics over the phone, perfectly complements the poignant lyrics.

“Kanda River” transcends the boundaries of a simple love song, reflecting the social and cultural climate of its time and earning its place as a timeless classic of Japanese folk music.

貴方はもう忘れたかしら　
赤いてぬぐい マフラーにして
二人で行った横丁の風呂屋
一緒に出ようねって言ったのに
いつも私が待たされた
洗い髪が芯まで冷えて
小さな石鹸 カタカタ鳴った
貴方は私の からだを抱いて
冷たいねって 言ったのよ

若かったあの頃 何も恐くなかった
ただ貴方のやさしさが恐かった

神田川 / かぐや姫より

※Translation (Unformal)
Have you forgotten, darling?
The red towel you made into a muffler
The public bath in the back alley we went to together
You said we’d leave together
But I always ended up waiting
My washed hair grew cold to the bone
The small soap rattled
You held my body and said, “It’s cold, isn’t it?”

We were so young, afraid of nothing
But I was afraid of your kindness

From Kanda River / Kaguyahime

Song Video

Artist Introduction

Kaguyahime

[Artist] Kaguyahime
[Member] (Phase 2 “Kosetsu Minami and Kaguyahime” )
Minami Kosetsu (Vocals & Guitar), Ise Shozo (Vocals & Guitar), Yamada Panda (Vocals & Bass)
[Place of Activity] Japan
[Active Period] 1971-1975
[Official Website】Nippon Crown Introduction Page

Artist Trails

In September 1971, the folk group Kaguyahime made a comeback with their single “Seishun” (Youth), following their initial debut in 1970. In March 1972, they released another single, “Umi no Triton” (Triton of the Sea), the theme song for a TV anime, under the names of Rika Sudō, Kōsaku Minami, and Kaguyhime.

In September 1973, they released their biggest hit, “Kanda River,” which eventually sold 1.6 million copies. They were invited to perform at the NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen that year, but declined due to a request to change the lyric “crayon” to “crayon pencil” as “crayon” is a product name.

The group disbanded on April 12, 1975, after a farewell concert at the Tokyo Kyoritsu Auditorium. After the disbandment, Kōsaku Minami and Yamada Panda pursued solo careers, while Issei Sawa formed the group Kaze.

Kaguyahime’s music is characterized by its acoustic sound and poetic lyrics, offering comfort and warmth to listeners. Their numerous hit songs, including “Kanda River,” “Nagori Yuki,” and “22-sai no Wakare,” continue to be loved by people of all ages. Their music often explores universal themes such as graduation, farewells, and friendship, resonating with a wide audience.

Album Introduction

• Studio Album (Release date, album, Oricon rank)
  • April 20, 1972 Hajimetukarete – Kaguyahime Folk Session – No.45
  • July 20, 1973 Kaguyahime Saado LP No.1
  • March 5, 1974 Three Storey Poem LP No.1
  • April 25, 1978 Kaguyahime Today LP No.1
• Live Album
  • December 20, 1972 Kaguyahime Onstage -Kosetsu, Panda, Masayan
  • September 15, 1974 Kaguyahime LIVE LP No.1
  • 1985 the KAGUYAHIME “LIVE” forever
  • September 11, 1996 KAGUYAHIME “LIVE” Compilation – Remember those happy days
  • November 22, 2000 Best Dreamin Concert CD
• Best Album
  • March 5, 1975 the KAGUYAHIME forever Vol.1
  • October 4, 1989 the KAGUYAHIME forever Vol.1
  • the KAGUYAHIME forever Vol.2
  • October 21, 1988 Kaguyahime Complete Works CD
  • March 4, 1998 Super Select Kaguyahime Best 35
  • September 23, 1998 Best Hit 16 – Kandagawa, Little Sister
  • January 1, 2000 Best Dreamin’ CD No.49
  • May 1, 2003 Kaguyahime Best 12
  • January 16, 2008 Kaguyahime Best
  • December 6, 2017 Kaguyahime Single Collection