Typical calisthenics routine from Illustrated “Salaryman” in Japan (Click the image for the book in the OSUL Catalog).
One unique characteristic of daily life in Japan is mass participation in morning calisthenics routines. Particularly noticeable are construction workers who can be observed stretching outside at construction sites, but the routines are also common in a range of spaces from kindergartens to offices.
These radio-broadcast routines were originally brought from the U.S. in the 1920’s, (detailed timeline is available on かんぽ生命 website) but contrary to their American counterparts, the exercises continue to be a part of daily Japanese life.
In 1931, the Radio Taisō Song (ラジオ体操の歌) was released and for many represented the beginning of the day. The broadcasts were banned for a period following the war, but were revived with the addition of a new theme song in 1951.
Rekion access in OSUL – There are several versions of the Radio Taisō Song available through Rekion.
- Original Radio Taisō Song from 1931
- info:ndljp/pid/1320496
- info:ndljp/pid/1331035
- First Post-war Radio Taisō Song from 1951
- info:ndljp/pid/8267509
- Current Radio Taisō Song, first broadcast in 1956
- info:ndljp/pid/2915066
To learn more on the history and the beginnings of ラジオ体操 (radio exercises):
- ラジオ体操/かんぽ生命(週刊東洋経済 no.6167, 34) – a Japanese language article about the beginnings of ラジオ体操 (radio exercises) and the company behind it.
- 新しい朝が来た : ラジオ体操50年の步み (簡易保険加入者協会, 1979) – a Japanese language book published on the 50th Anniversary of ラジオ体操 (radio exercises)
Schoolchildren performing a calisthenics routing circa 1928 from ラジオ体操, 週刊東洋経済
The Historical Japanese Recordings Collection contains a number of recordings that were used as instructions for these calisthenics routines. Some of these include routines specifically made for women, schoolchildren, and factory workers. They consist of a man or woman giving instructions and counting the movements against a background of cheerful music.
Rekion access in OSUL – There are several different types of exercise recordings available through Rekion.
- For factory workers: “info:ndljp/pid/1322688”
- For schoolchildren: “info:ndljp/pid/3571144” and “info:ndljp/pid/3571145”
- For women: NHK 美容体操 “info:ndljp/pid/2915349”
A video of modern schoolchildren performing the routine can be viewed on YouTube.
NOTE: This is one of a series of posts highlighting content available in Rekion (れきおん), the Historical recordings collection of the National Diet Library (Japan), which is available at a dedicated computer in the Music and Dance Library at Ohio State. See the Introductory post in this series for more information about the database.
