Matthew Law's NHK AM 'Mainichi Rodoku' Theme 'Yumemiru Kazaguruma' to be Released Digitally on April 29!
Pianist Matthew Law's new theme song for the NHK AM program 'Mainichi Rodoku' will be available on streaming platforms starting April 29, 2026, featuring collaborations with top musicians.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 29, 2026 at 03:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 28, 2026 at 18:32
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 28, 2026 at 18:42 (10 min after Collected)
The NHK AM program 'Mainichi Rodoku: Radio mo Hideyoshi! Shinsho Taikoki', which began broadcasting on March 31, is a reading program that airs Eiji Yoshikawa's long novel 'Shinsho Taikoki' in 255 consecutive episodes, adapted into modern colloquial Japanese.
'Shinsho Taikoki' vividly depicts the youth of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, along with other historical heroes such as Oda Nobunaga and Tokugawa Ieyasu, as well as commoners living in the Sengoku period. Popular voice actor Yuichiro Umehara serves as the narrator, with 15-minute episodes airing every weekday morning around 8:00 AM.
The theme music for this program is composed and performed by pianist and singer-songwriter Matthew Law. Titled 'Yumemiru Kazaguruma' (Dreaming Windmill), the theme features a nostalgic and warm oboe melody, creating a refreshing atmosphere perfect for the start of the morning.
The performance features 'Ishidagumi', a premier string ensemble led by Yasunao Ishida, and Junko Suzuki, the principal oboist of the Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra, resulting in a sound filled with elegance and warmth.
As attention to the theme music has grown since the program started, it has been decided that the track will be released digitally on April 29 (Wednesday/Holiday).
The release includes a total of four tracks, featuring alternative versions such as a cello & piano version, a piano solo version, and a guitar solo version. In addition to Matthew Law playing the piano, listeners can enjoy different charms brought by cellist Fumino Uemura, known for her deep expressiveness and elegance, and the versatile guitarist Gensuke Kanki.
◆ Comment from Matthew Law
Recently, I find myself strangely attracted to the concept of 'Kazaguruma' (windmill). I feel that it mixes many things—my identity as a Japanese person, a sense of nostalgia for the past, and sentimental moods.
I wrote this song with the image of various landscapes and memories (dreams) quietly seeping out from that 'windmill'. Since this song plays almost every day on the radio, I focused on creating a melody that leaves a lasting impression on anyone's ears, while also weaving in a depth that grows richer with every listen—whether it's the 10th or 100th time.
While the number of dreams I can express alone is limited, I believe that with the help of many wonderful performers and arrangement supporters, I was able to paint this with diverse colors. I hope everyone who listens will come to love this song.
◆ Release Information
Yumemiru Kazaguruma ~ NHK AM 'Mainichi Rodoku' Theme Music
Artist: Matthew Law
Release Date: April 29, 2026
Product Code: COKM-46344 / COKS-25268
Label: Nippon Columbia
[Tracklist]
1. Yumemiru Kazaguruma *
2. Yumemiru Kazaguruma (Cello & Piano ver.) *
3. Yumemiru Kazaguruma (Piano Solo ver.)
4. Yumemiru Kazaguruma (Guitar Solo ver.) **
Composition: Matthew Law
Arrangement: Kanade Inukai*, Gensuke Kanki**
Performers: Matthew Law [Tr.1,2,3], Ishidagumi [Tr.1], Junko Suzuki [Tr.1], Fumino Uemura [Tr.2], Gensuke Kanki [Tr.4]
◆ Profile
Matthew Law (Matthew Law)
Pianist / Singer-songwriter
Entered Toho High School Music Department as a scholarship student and graduated top of the piano department. After Toho Gakuen School of Music, he moved to France and graduated with top honors from the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris for both piano and master's degree. He has won numerous competitions, including 1st place and Grand Prix at the 8th Romanian International Music Competition in 2012. He also won 1st prize at the 1st Duo Hayashi Competition in 2015, 1st prize at the 60th All Japan Student Music Competition, and the Yasuko Fukuda Prize in 2007. He performs recitals across Europe and Japan and has collaborated with artists like Fuminori Shinozaki and Yuki Ito.
'Shinsho Taikoki' vividly depicts the youth of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, along with other historical heroes such as Oda Nobunaga and Tokugawa Ieyasu, as well as commoners living in the Sengoku period. Popular voice actor Yuichiro Umehara serves as the narrator, with 15-minute episodes airing every weekday morning around 8:00 AM.
The theme music for this program is composed and performed by pianist and singer-songwriter Matthew Law. Titled 'Yumemiru Kazaguruma' (Dreaming Windmill), the theme features a nostalgic and warm oboe melody, creating a refreshing atmosphere perfect for the start of the morning.
The performance features 'Ishidagumi', a premier string ensemble led by Yasunao Ishida, and Junko Suzuki, the principal oboist of the Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra, resulting in a sound filled with elegance and warmth.
As attention to the theme music has grown since the program started, it has been decided that the track will be released digitally on April 29 (Wednesday/Holiday).
The release includes a total of four tracks, featuring alternative versions such as a cello & piano version, a piano solo version, and a guitar solo version. In addition to Matthew Law playing the piano, listeners can enjoy different charms brought by cellist Fumino Uemura, known for her deep expressiveness and elegance, and the versatile guitarist Gensuke Kanki.
◆ Comment from Matthew Law
Recently, I find myself strangely attracted to the concept of 'Kazaguruma' (windmill). I feel that it mixes many things—my identity as a Japanese person, a sense of nostalgia for the past, and sentimental moods.
I wrote this song with the image of various landscapes and memories (dreams) quietly seeping out from that 'windmill'. Since this song plays almost every day on the radio, I focused on creating a melody that leaves a lasting impression on anyone's ears, while also weaving in a depth that grows richer with every listen—whether it's the 10th or 100th time.
While the number of dreams I can express alone is limited, I believe that with the help of many wonderful performers and arrangement supporters, I was able to paint this with diverse colors. I hope everyone who listens will come to love this song.
◆ Release Information
Yumemiru Kazaguruma ~ NHK AM 'Mainichi Rodoku' Theme Music
Artist: Matthew Law
Release Date: April 29, 2026
Product Code: COKM-46344 / COKS-25268
Label: Nippon Columbia
[Tracklist]
1. Yumemiru Kazaguruma *
2. Yumemiru Kazaguruma (Cello & Piano ver.) *
3. Yumemiru Kazaguruma (Piano Solo ver.)
4. Yumemiru Kazaguruma (Guitar Solo ver.) **
Composition: Matthew Law
Arrangement: Kanade Inukai*, Gensuke Kanki**
Performers: Matthew Law [Tr.1,2,3], Ishidagumi [Tr.1], Junko Suzuki [Tr.1], Fumino Uemura [Tr.2], Gensuke Kanki [Tr.4]
◆ Profile
Matthew Law (Matthew Law)
Pianist / Singer-songwriter
Entered Toho High School Music Department as a scholarship student and graduated top of the piano department. After Toho Gakuen School of Music, he moved to France and graduated with top honors from the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris for both piano and master's degree. He has won numerous competitions, including 1st place and Grand Prix at the 8th Romanian International Music Competition in 2012. He also won 1st prize at the 1st Duo Hayashi Competition in 2015, 1st prize at the 60th All Japan Student Music Competition, and the Yasuko Fukuda Prize in 2007. He performs recitals across Europe and Japan and has collaborated with artists like Fuminori Shinozaki and Yuki Ito.