Japanese Literary Awards

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Ryoko Moriyama

もりやま りょうこ

Moriyama Ryoko

Profile

Gender
Female
Born
1948-01-18 （Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan）
Nationality
Japan
Languages
Japanese

Career

Occupations
Singer, Singer-songwriter, Actor
Active Years
1967-
Affiliations
Angel Song (agency)
Influenced By
Joan Baez, Hisashi Moriyama (father), Yoko Asada (mother)
Influenced
Naotaro Moriyama, Rimi Natsukawa

Education

Seijo Gakuen High School
Country: Japan

Awards

Japan Record Awards - Popularity Award
1969
Work: Kinjirareta Koi (Forbidden Love)
Category: 大衆賞
Organization: Japan Record Awards
Result: 受賞
Japan Record Awards - Best Singing Award
2002
Work: Satoukibi-batake (Sugarcane Field)
Organization: Japan Record Awards
Result: 受賞
Japan Record Awards - Lyricist Award
2002
Work: Nada Sōsō (Tears for You)
Organization: Japan Record Awards
Result: 受賞
Art Encouragement Prize (Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Award)
2006
Organization: Agency for Cultural Affairs
Result: 受賞
Mainichi Art Award
2007
Organization: Mainichi Newspapers
Result: 受賞
Medal with Purple Ribbon
2008
Organization: Government of Japan
Result: 受章
Japan Record Awards - Special Award
2006
Work: Nada Sōsō (Tears for You)
Organization: Japan Record Awards
Result: 受賞

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Kono Hiroi Nohara Ippai (This Wide Field)

1967 Folk

Her debut song. Widely used in school music textbooks and chorus repertoires; it helped establish her public profile.

NatureChildrenNostalgia

Kinjirareta Koi (Forbidden Love)

1969 Kayokyoku / Pop

A million-selling hit (lyrics by Michio Yamamoto, music by Takashi Miki). It became one of her signature songs and received acclaim at the Japan Record Awards.

LoveEmotion

Nada Sōsō (Tears for You)

1998 Pop with folk elements

Lyrics by Moriyama and music by BEGIN. Popularized by Rimi Natsukawa and became a major hit; Moriyama received an award for her lyrics. Moriyama has also performed and recorded the song.

FamilyRemembranceNostalgia

Satoukibi-batake (Sugarcane Field)

2001 Folk / ballad

A song evoking Okinawa's history and people's feelings; it gained attention and earned Moriyama the Best Singing Award at the 2002 Japan Record Awards.

MemoryPostwar remembranceHuman dignity

Bibliography

  • Mie and Ryoko's Chatty Thief (co-authored)
  • Well, It's Fine
  • Mother's Kitchen: 104 Letters to Give to Mothers (editor)
  • Dream Home: Sing My Life

Adaptations

  • When Marnie Was There (voice role)
  • Belle (voice role)
  • The Mourning Forest / Boxed Son's Love (film appearance)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Warm, embracing vocal deliveryFlexible expression moving between folk, popular song, and jazz
Recurring Motifs
FamilyNostalgiaNaturePeace

Legacy

A singer active for over 50 years in Japan's pop and folk scenes. Widely beloved for signature songs and lyric-writing; recipient of multiple public awards for cultural contributions. Her cross-generational influence and extensive media presence have made her a nationally recognized figure.

In Popular Culture

  • A national figure with ten appearances on the NHK Kouhaku Uta Gassen (year-end music show)
  • "Nada Sōsō" has been widely covered and popularized through films and media
  • Recognized for acting appearances as well, including the morning drama 'Come Come Everybody'

Quotes

  • I have many friends, and most of my musician friends were introduced to me by 'Musshu' (Kamayatsu).
    Source: TV Tokyo: 'Nikenme Dousuru? ~Tsumami no Hanashi~' (2022)

Trivia

  • "Kono Hiroi Nohara Ippai" is often included in music textbooks.
  • "Nada Sōsō" was written as a remembrance for her late brother.
  • She is sometimes nicknamed "Zawawa" in media appearances.
  • Anecdotes mention she practiced driving in a Toyota 2000GT early in life.