Tokyo Trip" - A song of the city performed by Komuro and others in 1978

Tokyo Trip" - A song of the city performed by Komuro and others in 1978

In 1978, Komuro and others performed a concert tour titled "Tokyo Trip". This tour, which toured the 23 wards of Tokyo, was more than just a musical performance; it was also an opportunity to convey the social message of his music. Komuro has been a leader of the folk group "Rokubun Sen" since the late 1960s, and has been a driving force in the Japanese folk scene. His songs, while influenced by American folk music, sharply cut to the heart of Japanese society and people's lives. He was particularly conscious of anti-war and social issues, and continued to make music that resonated with the student and labor movements.

In 1978, Japan was at the end of its period of rapid economic growth and transitioning to a period of stable growth. On the political front, while the aftermath of rapid growth caused by Kakuei Tanaka's "Theory of Remodeling the Japanese Archipelago" remained, inflation was worsening due to the oil shock. Masayoshi Ohira became prime minister that year, and it was also a time when the political situation was searching for stability. Meanwhile, on the cultural front, the musical tide was shifting from folk songs to new music, and as symbolized by the debut of Southern All Stars, a new musical era was about to begin. However, the spirit of social folk remained strong, especially among artists associated with the labor and civic movements, who continued to pursue their own paths.

The "Tokyo Trip" concert was held amidst these times. The tour took place at various venues in Tokyo, including Koto-ku Toshin Kumin Kaikan, Kinuta Kumin Kaikan, Shoken Kaikan, Rouon Kaikan Hall, Cafe Compal, Nerima Fujimi High School Auditorium, Asakusa Kimakan, and Shiba Seinen Kaikan. It should be noted that the tour was supported by the Tokyo Rouon (Tokyo Workers' Music Council). Distinct from commercialism, Tokyo Rohnon provided a venue for sharing culture with workers and citizens through music. The concerts by Komuro and others were perfectly in line with that philosophy.

At the time, Japanese society was facing problems of wage disparity and economic disparity between urban and rural areas in the shadow of economic growth. Folk songs continued to be supported by many people as a means of singing about such social contradictions. Artists such as Komuro and others, in particular, maintained a sharp eye on society without losing the folk spirit. His music was not mere entertainment, but a message and a testimony to the times.

In the midst of the shift from folk to new music, Komuro and others continued to maintain their unique position. The "Tokyo Trip" concert was another attempt to reach out to society through music. His songs echoed through the city of Tokyo in 1978, and they are sure to have left a deep imprint in the hearts and minds of the people.