Murata Hideo is a Japanese enka singer and actor born in 1929 in Saga Prefecture. He made his mark in the postwar music world, making use of his experience as a rakugo performer. In 1958, he was discovered by Koga Masao and made his debut as a singer. His song "Osho" in particular was a big hit and became his signature song. His career was diverse, including participating in the NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen and appearing in movies. In his later years, he continued his musical career with a strong will, despite struggling with diabetes, and passed away in 2002 at the age of 73. 1. Osho "Tomorrow I'm going to Tokyo" On the day of our farewell at Takamatsu Port, my classmate sang "Osho" with a determination to win. This song symbolized my new departure to Tokyo and gave me the courage to take a big step forward. The transition from the countryside to a big city brings with it many hopes and anxieties, but at that moment, this song was deeply engraved in my heart. 2. Jinsei Gekijo (Theater of Life) Released in 1938, Jinsei Gekijo (Theater of Life) was written by Sounosuke Sato and composed by Masao Koga. It was first sung by Shigeo Kusunoki. It is especially loved by Waseda University graduates and is also called the "second Waseda University anthem." This song was later sung by Hideo Murata, whose singing was so well-known that it was used as the theme song for a TV drama in 1965, and he is sometimes recognized by many people as the original singer. In 1971, Keiko Fuji covered this song. 3. Judo Ichidai (Theater of Life) Judo Ichidai (Theater of Life) is a Japanese film released in 1963, starring Shinichi Chiba and directed by Kiyoshi Saeki. The film is based on the original story by Ryutaro Kondo, which was serialized in Weekly Yomiuri Sports, and depicts the youthful growth of the protagonist Shiro Hongo through judo. The film was produced by Toei and reflects the historical background of the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. Murata Hideo sang the theme song for the movie, and the song was a big hit. 4 Sugata Sanshiro Sugata Sanshiro is a full-length novel by Tomita Tsuneo, depicting the early days of judo against the backdrop of the Meiji era. The story follows the growth and adventures of the protagonist, Sugata Sanshiro, while interweaving real judokas and politicians. Based on Saigo Shiro, the story depicts his growth as a person through his judo training in Tokyo and his matches with many martial artists. The work has also influenced many movies and dramas, and has had a major impact on judo-themed creations. 5 Byakko The only information I could find about this song was that it was written by Hoshino Tetsuro and composed by Endo Minoru. I have tried to interpret the strong message found in the lyrics in my own way. -The protagonist, a sōshi (an activist who aimed to realize social change and justice, and took direct action and protests in the process. He was often pursued by the authorities), and it is believed that he conveyed his anti-government message to the common people by acting out an action-packed drama while being pursued by the authorities. Along the way, there is love, and the song seems to depict a tragic way of life, with courage that is not afraid to die for one's patriotic beliefs.