Kimigayo Japanese National Anthem Guide (Class 1-5)
Learn to perform Kimigayo, Japan's national anthem. Includes lyrics, stress marks, translation, ceremony etiquette, and musical guide for students.
- Runs
- 1:00 · Sustain long vowels evenly and hold a slow, reverent pace to the final quiet measure.
- Lines
- 5 in 1 stanza
- Sung in
- B-FLAT MAJOR · 118 bpm
- The room
- 3 things to do
- Stand upright facing the Hinomaru flag with hands straight at your sides.
- Remain standing in complete silence without moving until the song ends.
- Do not clap after the national anthem finishes.
Stand upright with posture straight, face the Hinomaru flag, and prepare to sing Japan's national anthem with steady, solemn breath.
君が代はKI | mi ga | YO wa
千代に八千代にCHI yo ni | ya CHI | yo ni
細石のsa ZA | re i shi NO
巌となりてi WA | o to na RI te
苔の生すまでKO ke no | mu SU | ma de
Then: Bow respectfully toward the stage before taking your seat.
The note, the beat, the breath
Find middle D or F to cue the soft opening vocal tone.
Tap the beat with a foot before the first note. The lamp blinks on it.
Take deep belly breaths at the end of each line pause.
The text, as written
君が代は
千代に八千代に
細石の
巌となりて
苔の生すまで
Chiyo ni yachiyo ni
Sazare-ishi no
Iwao to narite
Koke no musu made
The words, and a question or two
A thousand years or generations.
Small pebbles or tiny stones.
A large boulder or massive rock.
So the hall hears every line
Worth knowing
- Kimigayo is Japan's national anthem, with words originating from an ancient Heian period poem written over 1,000 years ago.
- The official Japanese text contains 24 characters and 32 syllables, making it one of the shortest national anthem texts in the world.
- The words describe tiny pebbles growing over long ages into a giant, moss-covered boulder, symbolizing a wish for lasting peace.
- In Japanese school ceremonies, students stand upright with hands at their sides and face the national flag (Hinomaru).
- The melody was selected in 1880 and is performed at a slow, solemn tempo lasting around one minute.
Where it is sung, and why
Learn how to perform Kimigayo, the national anthem of Japan. This ancient poem contains just 32 syllables, making its lyrics the oldest of any national anthem in the world. Whether you are reciting the verse or singing along in a school ceremony, this guide gives you the full text, line-by-line stress marks, and local ceremony etiquette.
Use the pronunciation guides to practice your pacing and vocal focus. Hold a steady posture, face the Japanese flag, and project your voice with solemn respect from the very first measure to the final quiet moment.
About this piece
- Kimigayo is Japan's national anthem, with words originating from an ancient Heian period poem written over 1,000 years ago.
- The official Japanese text contains 24 characters and 32 syllables, making it one of the shortest national anthem texts in the world.
- The lyrics describe tiny pebbles growing over long ages into a giant, moss covered boulder, symbolizing a wish for lasting peace.
- In Japanese school ceremonies, students stand upright with hands at their sides and face the national flag (Hinomaru).
- The melody was selected in 1880 and is performed at a slow, solemn tempo lasting around one minute.
How it is done
- Japan: During school ceremonies, teachers and students are expected to stand and sing Kimigayo while facing the Japanese flag.