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One summer’s Day

Until now, the film "Spirited Away" written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki is known by

the masses, not only due to its animation but also its unforgettable film scores. One Summer's Day

or (あの夏へ, Ano Natsu e) is the opening music track of the film by Joe Hisashi, a world-

renowned Japanese composer dubbed as the John William of Japan (Gerber, 2017). The films score

It was originally an instrumental theme, but later on, Hisashi added lyrics and named the new

version "The Name of Life" (いのちの名前, "Inochi no Namae") performed by Ayaka Hirahara.

Several sources stated different meanings of the composition. According to Han (2020), the song

captures the bitterness of growing up and growing out of things. However, Zhao (2015) stated

otherwise, he said that the composition does not have a single meaning thus, listeners are free to

interpret the music on their own.

From a technical standpoint, "One Summer Day" showcases Joe Hisaishi's virtuosity in

composition. The composition has eight sections, and each section represents different concepts

and techniques to invoke emotions. The introduction that measures from one to four begins with

4 chords giving us a fascinating lowering motion and baseline. Next the ‘A section’ measuring

from 6 to 12 is a rendering of a theme. It uses these techniques of sequence and repetition for the

melody to form a unity. Additionally, the harmony uses quartile chords that provide richness for

sound dimension. Next, the Bridge that measures from 21 to 28. It is a short phrase consisting of

eight measures and it acts as the transitional phase for the B section and has a rich melody by using

the upper structure chord. Fourthly, the B section measuring from 30 to 40 renders the B theme

which consists of many characters in a single melodic line, to perform such a melody. Hisaishi

used techniques, such as block chord, harmonic octave, and upper structure chord to also enhance

the richness of the sound while its harmony is mostly arpeggios. Fifth, the A1 section which is the
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formation of fragments derived from A them using fragments from the other theme, a new melody

was created. To add distinction, he used the transpose technique. However, what is remarkable

about the phase is its left-hand part as it separates into two periods. Next, the B1 section which is

the repetition of the B theme employing the variation technique and combining it with a compound

melody that creates a more captivating sound and melody. It is a method of making a new melody

while retaining the old structure. Second to the last, A2 section, the change of tempo can be noticed

from quarter notes and derived from a team to create new melodies. In this section, the composer

uses the mode technique to create colorfulness in melody, as for mood changes that it adapts the

melodic phase from the first team, creating a dimension and turning it into a composition.

Moreover, it creates vividness by adding the upper structure chord. In the last part of the section,

which is the ending, the melody gets slower by the whole note to extend the rhythm. It also uses a

technique called tremolo with the next note, to lengthen the base.

The intricate interplay between various musical elements, demonstrates meticulous

attention to detail. Furthermore, the composition's structural complexity is notable. Hisaishi

employs sophisticated harmonic progressions and modulations, contributing to the piece's depth

and sophistication. The transitions between different sections are executed with finesse, guiding

the listener through a journey of varied emotions while maintaining a cohesive musical narrative.

The subtle use of orchestration enhances the emotional depth, allowing listeners to connect

with the piece on a profound level. Overall, "One Summer Day" is a beautifully crafted

composition that effortlessly transports listeners to a place where they can feel the warmth of the

sun and the gentle breeze of a summer day.

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REFERENCES

Gerber, B. (2017, January 10). The John Williams of Japan: Joe Hisaishi in 9 Songs. Pitchfork.

https://pitchfork.com/thepitch/1405-the-john-williams-of-japan-joe-hisaishi-in-9-songs/

Han, K. (2020, May 27). Joe Hisaishi’s ‘One Summer’s Day’ is the perfect model for Studio Ghibli

music. Polygon. https://www.polygon.com/animation-

cartoons/2020/5/27/21271852/spirited-away-music-joe-hisaishi-hayao-miyazaki-studio-

ghibli-one-summers-day

The ‘Spirited Away’ Soundtrack at 20: Rediscovering the Name of Life | Arts | The Harvard

Crimson. (n.d.). https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2021/7/31/spirited-away-score-20th/