Yusei Kikuchi, the starting pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays, is not only a talented player but also an accomplished karaoke singer. One of his proudest performances is his spirited rendition of the fight song of his former team, the Seibu Lions. When asked if he knew the words to a more popular song, “Eikan ha Kimi ni Kagayaku” or “The Crown Will Shine on You,” Kikuchi embraced the challenge.
In Minnesota, standing in full uniform at the visitor’s dugout, Kikuchi smiled and began singing the song in Japanese:
“As clouds dissipate, sunlight fills the sky
On this day especially, the pure white ball flies high
Answer the jubilation around you, oh our youth
With your smiles of sportsmanship
The crown will shine on you”
This song, “The Crown Will Shine on You,” is like the cherry blossoms of spring in Japan, synonymous with summer baseball. It was composed in 1948 by Yuji Koseki for the popular National High School Baseball Championship. Every year, players from the 49 prefectural champions gather at Koshien Stadium in Nishinomiya for the single-elimination summer tournament, marching to the tune of Koseki’s song.
“It’s the sound of summer,” Kikuchi said. “When you hear it, you instantly think of summer baseball. It’s not just played at Koshien Stadium for the national tournament but also during the prefectural rounds to motivate players to give their best.”
Kikuchi himself marched into Koshien Stadium as a sophomore and senior, and so did Kenta Maeda, a starting pitcher for the Minnesota Twins. Maeda expressed his nostalgia for the song, saying, “It’s a melody that stays in your head. Every Japanese person thinks of the summer baseball tournament when they hear it. For me, it reminds me of my high school years and that one summer when I made it there.”
Yuji Koseki, the composer of “The Crown Will Shine on You,” had an unexpected connection to Japan’s most popular sporting event. Born in Fukushima in 1909, Koseki joined Nippon Columbia as a composer in 1930. Though he had little interest in sports, he was drawn to team fight songs because of their marching element.
When the National High School Baseball Championship underwent a name change in 1948, Koseki’s song became its official theme. The change marked a significant moment in post-World War II Japan, as the country underwent social and economic reforms, including the creation of a new high school curriculum. To honor the change, organizers held a national competition for a new theme song, which Koseki won.
In his autobiography, Koseki revealed that he drew inspiration from the end of the war, believing that the continuation of the tournament symbolized peace. He wanted a forward-thinking, uplifting song and found the melody while standing on the mound at Koshien Stadium, imagining the emotions of fierce competition.
Koseki’s influence at Koshien Stadium extended beyond the tournament. He also composed “Rokko Oroshi,” a fight song for the stadium’s home team, the Hanshin Tigers. Originally titled “Song of the Osaka Tigers,” the march became the longest-running team fight song in Nippon Professional Baseball and is deeply embedded in Tigers’ culture.
“Rokko Oroshi” has developed a loyal following, with countless musicians and celebrities recording their own versions. One of the most famous renditions came from Tom O’Malley, a former Mets infielder who spent four years with the Hanshin Tigers. His recording, released in 1994, captivated fans for its endearingly off-key nature, selling over 100,000 copies.
Koseki’s contributions to baseball, both professional and amateur, were recognized when he was inducted into the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame. Even Sadaharu Oh, Japan’s home run king and a former rival player for the Yomiuri Giants, praised Koseki’s fight songs, acknowledging their ability to uplift all those who play sports.
In summary, Kikuchi and Maeda’s love for “The Crown Will Shine on You” speaks to the deep connection between Japanese baseball and this iconic song composed by Yuji Koseki. Its uplifting melody has become synonymous with summer baseball and inspires players across Japan. Koseki’s musical contributions to both amateur and professional baseball have solidified his legacy, earning him a place in the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame.
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