Japan's national anthem "Kiminoyo" sounds like a dirge because the song is an elegy. The reason why Japan's national anthem sounds like a sad music is because the arranger used the tunes of ancient Chinese court music. After several adaptations, it sounds more solemn and even sad, but this kind of The style of music sounds similar to sad music.

Based on the traditional scales used in Japanese court music, the melody composed by Hiromai Hayao was chosen. Eckert arranged the national anthem in four parts. On November 3, 1880, the birthday of Emperor Meiji, the new national anthem was performed for the first time in the Imperial Palace. This is the origin of the national anthem known today as "Kimigayo".

Use of Japan's national anthem

In 1999, the Japanese government (Obuchi Keizo's regime) submitted the "Flag and National Anthem Law" to the Japanese Diet, and it was passed on August 9 of that year. Congress passed. The "Flag and National Anthem Law" is brief and stipulates that the "Hinomaru" flag shall be the national flag of Japan and "Kiminoyo" shall be the national anthem of Japan. This has legalized Japan's national flag and national anthem, and also given a legal basis for elementary, middle and high school students to sing "Kiminoyo" in unison at school ceremonies such as entrance and graduation ceremonies.

In addition, there are four songs named Kimiyo in Japan: the first generation - Kimiyo, the second generation - Kimiyo, elementary school singing - Kimiyo, and childcare - Kimiyo. The first and second generation Kimiyo are the two officially recognized national anthems of Japan. These four "Kim no Dai" poems were all composed in the early Meiji period. They were all created at a similar time. Although their motivations were different, they were all created with the purpose of educating the people to be loyal to the emperor and patriotic.