Released in March 2000, the Shenmue ~Chapter One: Yokosuka~ Original Sound Track was a two-disc album featuring 39 tracks, accompanied by a booklet containing commentary written by the soundtrack's composers and contributors.
 |
| Shenmue Chapter One ~Yokosuka~: Original Sound Track |
The comments provide a fascinating glimpse into the creation of Shenmue’s music, touching on everything from memories of research trips in China to the atmosphere imagined while writing specific pieces.
The booklet also contains detailed composer credits, providing rare confirmation of which composers created many of Shenmue’s best-known pieces.
In this post, we'll translate the booklet commentary in full, along with composer information and scene screenshots showing where each piece is used in the game. Scene identifications and additional notes have been added separately and do not appear in the original booklet.
Note: English track names in this article follow the official and commonly used localized naming conventions where possible, drawing from the original 2000 soundtrack release, later Shenmue soundtrack albums, and other official Sega materials.
 |
| One of the booklet's commentary pages, featuring composer notes for several tracks. |
Message from Yu Suzuki
At the very beginning of Shenmue's development, the first thing we created was a single piece of music.
As we began the project, I wanted to express the world of Shenmue freely, without being constrained by the conventional idea of what a game should be.
We had all the staff members involved in planning, design, programming, and other areas listen to it, allowing each person to expand their own image of the world. Through discussing those ideas together, we gradually built Shenmue.
That piece was "Departure on a New Journey".
In Shenmue Chapter One: Yokosuka, it is possible to hear around 200 tracks of music. Among them, this album mainly collects pieces used during events that left a strong impression on those who played the game.
Every track here is one that holds special meaning for me, and they are all pieces I am very fond of.
I hope all of you will come to enjoy them as well.
So then, just like the game itself, please take your time and enjoy the music of Shenmue.
— Shenmue Executive Director
Yu Suzuki
DISC 1
1. Shenmue ~Sedge Tree~ Original Version (3'57")
"This piece became the foundation for the orchestral version. I created the song itself on my desktop setup, and it was also born through discussions with Director Suzuki. The person playing the erhu is the woman who performed at the Shenmue Premiere event."
 |
| Erhu player at the Shenmue Premiere (Dec 1998) |
Composer: Takenobu Mitsuyoshi
Scene used in: Ending Cut Scene
Listen to the track: YouTube
2. Shenhua ~Sedge Flower~ Original Version (2'59")
"I composed this while looking at an image of a pure-hearted young girl standing in a forest. I created it with the image of warmth and strength that gently embraces everything. This was the first piece I composed at Sega, and this arrangement was actually the very last version I produced."
Composer: Ryuji Iuchi
Scene used in: Shenhua's Theme cassette tape
Additional note: In his 2020 livestream Q&A, Ryuji Iuchi revealed that he created this track using Roland SC-88 sound modules.
Listen to the track: YouTube
3. Departure on a New Journey Original Version (6'17")
"To me, this piece truly represents the beginning of Shenmue. While I was actually traveling in China, this melody came to me during a domestic flight, and I feel it expresses my own image of China and the vastness of the continent very well".
Composer: Takenobu Mitsuyoshi
Additional note: this is the piece to which Yu Suzuki refers in his introductory message above, which was used very early in development to help the Shenmue staff imagine and shape the world of the game. In a 2018 interview, Mitsuyoshi clarifies that the flight was during the Shenmue team's research trip to China.
Listen to the track: YouTube
Scene used in: Usage not confirmed in-game.
4. A Predestined Encounter (3'26")
"This piece is used during the scenes where Ryo meets the Chens. Since they are Chinese characters who are dignified and carry a slightly mysterious air, I expressed that feeling through the use of Chinese instruments, even though the setting is Yokosuka".
Composer: Osamu Murata
Scene used in: Ryo's meetings with Master Chen and his son Guizhang.
Listen to the track: YouTube
5. Christmas on Dobuita Street (2'13")
"I’ll never forget it. Just as I was about to head home from the office, an order for this piece suddenly came in (laughs). I composed it with the image of a quiet Christmas on Dobuita Street, just as the snow begins to fall".
Composer: Ryuji Iuchi
Scene used in: Ryo walking through Dobuita, on his way to catch the boat to Hong Kong.
Listen to the track: YouTube
6. The Sadness I Carry on My Shoulders (2'51")
"This piece is used during the event where Ryo is fired from his part-time job. The title may sound a little overdramatic, but I think the feeling carried by the music contains a sense of sadness".
Composer: Yuzo Koshiro
Scene used in: Ryo is fired from his forklift job.
Listen to the track: YouTube
7. Cherry Blossom Wind Dance (1'38")
"I created this piece with the image of cherry blossom petals falling through the air like snow when you look up into the spring sky. Try closing your eyes and imagining it as you listen. See? The cherry blossoms are dancing. Spring will be here soon".
Composer: Osamu Murata
Listen to the track: YouTube
Scene used in: Usage not confirmed in-game.
8. Nozomi's Confession (3'15")
"This is the piano version of "Nozomi and Ryo". It plays during Nozomi-related scenes, such as her confession scene in the park. It was also used in Shenmue radio advertisements".
Composer: Osamu Murata
Scene used in: Nozomi's confession at Sakuragaoka Park and other Nozomi scenes (such as when Eri takes a photo of her with Ryo at the harbor).
Listen to the track: YouTube
9. Nozomi and Ryo (3'54")
"I wrote this while imagining Nozomi's feelings of unrequited love (?). Even within its gentleness, I tried to give it a strong emotional core.I would love for people to listen to it in a park at night! You might even start to feel like Nozomi yourself!? Or do you dislike unrequited love?"
Composer: Osamu Murata
Scene used in: Usage of this version not confirmed in-game.
Listen to the track: YouTube
10. Rain (1'01")
"Whenever I close my eyes and listen to this piece, the image of rainfall inevitably comes to mind. In the game, it is used during the scenes involving the kitten, Ryo, and Megumi".
Composer: Yuzo Koshiro
Scene used in: Various scenes of taking care of the kitten at Yamanose Shrine.
Listen to the track: YouTube
11. Daily Agony (2'16")
"I blended a slight sense of positivity into the sadness of parting".
Composer: Ryuji Iuchi
Scene used in: Usage not confirmed in-game.
Listen to the track: YouTube
12. Parting Tears (2'05")
"Perhaps you could call this something like “just before the ending.” Around this time, I was really into composing theme-style pieces. In fact, I created this track during a certain filming because I wanted something that would look good on camera. Compared to "Separated From Yokosuka," you can sense how much my glissando technique had improved (laughs)".
Composer: Ryuji Iuchi
Scene used in: Flashback scene of Nozomi giving Ryo an amulet before his journey.
Additional note: In his 2020 livestream, Ryuji Iuchi recalled composing a Shenmue track while NHK cameras filmed the development team for the 1999 “Making of Shenmue” documentary. The anecdote may relate to this piece.
Listen to the track: YouTube
13. Sadness and Hope (2'59")
"Since Chapter One is set in Yokosuka, that became the image behind this piece. As I wrote it, I thought about various aspects of Japanese sensibility and aesthetics, such as wabi-sabi. Even within the sadness, I think you can still sense the hope of beginning the journey ahead".
Composer: Osamu Murata
Scene used in: Ryo takes one final look back at the Hazuki Residence before leaving Yokosuka.
Listen to the track: YouTube
14. Dawn (2'32")
"I composed this piece carefully so that it would not stand out too much or assert itself too strongly. The image here is that of something beginning".
Composer: Ryuji Iuchi
Scene used in: Ryo and Guizhang after defeating their enemies at the harbor, as a new friendship begins and Ryo prepares for the journey ahead.
Listen to the track: YouTube
15. Setting Off (2'16")
"Just as the title suggests! I tried to express Ryo's feelings as he steels his determination and thinks, "I'm going now!" He cannot remain forever mourning his father's death. He has to set out on his journey. Doesn't it give you that feeling?"
Composer: Osamu Murata
Listen to the track: YouTube
16. Antiquity Tree (1'29")
"When I thought about creating a jukebox-style piece, the first thing that came to mind was an arrangement of the main theme. I gave it a jazz-like feel because Yokosuka has the image of a town with many Americans due to the nearby naval base".
Composer: Takenobu Mitsuyoshi
Scene used in: Antiquity Tree cassette tape
Listen to the track: YouTube
 |
| "You cannot judge of a tree by its bark". |
17. Flower Girl (0'51")
"If Shenhua's theme, alongside the main theme, helps define the image of Shenmue, then I felt this piece absolutely had to be included as a jukebox track as well. So I tried arranging it as a light 8-beat jazz piece".
Composer: not credited (see note).
Arrangement: not credited (see note).
Scene used in: Flower Girl cassette tape
Additional Note: Although no credits are given for this entry in the booklet, this is an arrangement of Shenhua's theme by Ryuji Iuchi, and this particular arrangement was created by Takenobu Mitsuyoshi (as confirmed by Iuchi in his 2020 Q&A).
Listen to the track: YouTube
18. Departure on a New Journey Arranged by Y. Koshiro (6'18")
"This piece was arranged relatively faithfully to the original. I seem to remember Koshiro-san saying at the time that he did not want to change the piece too drastically".
Arrangement: Yuzo Koshiro
19. Shenmue Main Theme Arranged by Y. Koshiro (8'06")
"The very first task I asked Koshiro-san to work on for this project was this arrangement of the main theme. There is something about Koshiro-san's arrangements that gradually grows on you over time, almost like dried squid the more you chew on it."Original Composer: Takenobu Mitsuyoshi
Arrangement: Yuzo Koshiro
Scene used in: Usage of this version not confirmed in-game.
Listen to the track: YouTube
20. Shenhua Arranged by Y. Koshiro (6'18")
"This arrangement takes a somewhat different approach from the original version. With the addition of new sections written by Koshiro-san, it feels as though it was reborn as an entirely new Shenhua theme."
Original Composer: Ryuji Iuchi
Arrangement: Yuzo Koshiro
Scene used in: Usage of this version not confirmed in-game.
Listen to the track: YouTube
DISC 2
1. Snowy Scenery (3'32")
"This piece became the basis for "Snowy Scenery ver.2". I composed it while imagining the view of Yokosuka Harbor at dusk from the perspective of a bird flying high overhead".
Composer: Ryuji Iuchi
Scene used in: Usage of this version not confirmed in-game.
Listen to the track: YouTube
2. Snowy Scenery ver.2 (3'30")
"This piece was one of the candidates for Chapter One's opening theme. Many of my compositions tend to have twilight or misty atmospheres, perhaps because I'm always feeling emotionally worn out (laughs)".
Composer: Ryuji Iuchi
Scene used in: Opening scene upon Ryo's visit to the harbor.
Listen to the track: YouTube
3. Separated From Yokosuka (2'25")
"I composed this piece with the image of the time finally coming to quietly leave the place where you were born and raised.
The harp glissando may sound a little out of place (sweat), but I suppose that was just youthful enthusiasm".
Composer: Ryuji Iuchi
Scene used in: Tom tells Ryo he is going back to America.
Listen to the track: YouTube
4. Departure for Hope (4'48")
"This is a continuation of "Sadness and Hope". Since the story is about to move onward to mainland China, I used chord progressions that evoke the feeling of the continent.
In the game, it is used during the scene where Xia at the Russiya China Shop tells Ryo grand stories about China".
Composer: Osamu Murata
Scene used in: Xia's stories of China, the stars, and ancient legends at the Russiya China Shop.
Listen to the track: YouTube
5. Like a Soaring Eagle (3'31")
"I imagined a vast land and endless mountain ranges, with an eagle flying above them without ever touching the ground. I think you can really feel the eagle's sharpness and strength. The deep piano tones at the end help evoke a sense of longing".
Composer: Osamu Murata
Additional note: This track title is often mis-translated into English as "To Fly Vacantly, Like an Eagle".
Listen to the track: YouTube
Scene used in: Usage not confirmed in-game.
6. Memories of Distant Days (3'48")
"I imagined Ryo's childhood years. The happy times he spent with his father, and even their strict master-and-disciple relationship, which are now memories of the past. I wanted to cherish Ryo's feelings as those memories come flooding back to him".
Composer: Osamu Murata
Scene used in: Flashback of young Ryo being encouraged by his father to eat his carrots.
Listen to the track: YouTube
7. Memories of Distant Days ver.2 (2'23")
This is an alternate arrangement of "Memories of Distant Days". This version has a slightly stronger Chinese flavor. I struggled over which version to use in the game, but since the setting was Yokosuka, I went with ver.1. Still, this version is quite good too, isn't it? Personally, I like this one better!
Composer: Osamu Murata
Scene used in: Usage of this version not confirmed in-game.
Listen to the track: YouTube
8. A Sunny Place (3'03")
"I imagined a quiet place where all you can hear is a small stream flowing through a silent forest, the sounds of water and forest animals, and the wind. Even the rolling tones heard in the intro are synthesized sounds intended to express the murmuring of the stream".
Composer: Osamu Murata
Additional note: Later English translations have rendered this title as "The Place Where the Sun Sets," though the Japanese more literally refers to a place where sunlight falls.
Scene used in: Usage of this version not confirmed in-game.
Listen to the track: YouTube
9. A Sunny Place ver.2 (4'07")
"This piece was not actually used in Chapter One, because it was created for Chapter Two! It is one of several different versions. I gave it a Chinese flavor through the use of Chinese instruments. I hope listeners can feel the memories of childhood that everyone passes through at some point".
Composer: Osamu Murata
Scene used in: Not used in Shenmue I. Later used in Shenmue III, when Ryo and Shenhua leave their house in the morning.
Listen to the track: YouTube
10. Working Man (1'52")
"Perhaps many people remember this piece all too well? It plays during the harbor part-time job sequences. It is a rather unusual piece with the bass taking the lead role. Anyone who plays bass should definitely give this melody a try. Don't just work hard at your part-time job, do your best with this too!"
Composer: Osamu Murata
Scene used in: During Ryo's daily harbor forklift job.
Listen to the track: YouTube
11. Snack Linda Theme (3'37")
"For Shenmue, I wrote an incredible number of shop themes. This was one of them. I do not usually go to places like snack bars, so I was not really sure what kind of music would fit, but what do you think? Does it suit the atmosphere?"
Composer: Osamu Murata
Scene used in: Snack Linda BGM. This track also features on the Linda cassette tape.
Listen to the track: YouTube
12. A Technique Passed Down (2'00")
"This piece was used during Guizhang's martial arts training at the harbor. I imagined the training scenes as being especially serious, so when composing it, I tried to express both Guizhang's stylishness and the strict atmosphere of passing down a martial arts technique".
Composer: Ryuji Iuchi
Scene used in: Guizhang teaching the Swallow Dive at the harbor.
Listen to the track: YouTube
13. Hip De Hop (1'33")
"This piece was created using a method that Koshiro-san really pushed forward himself. By combining various phrases together, he brilliantly crafted a truly Tom-style hip-hop track".
Composer: Yuzo Koshiro
Scene used in: At Tom's hot dog truck. This music also features on the Hip de Hop cassette tape.
Listen to the track: YouTube
14. Sailors' Revenge (1'15")
"This piece was not actually used during the sailors' revenge event in the game. So I decided to include it on this album as a little bonus. In fact, it might be fun to try playing through that event while listening to this track".
Composer: Takeshi Yanagawa
Scene used in: Not used in-game.
Additional note: The “sailors' revenge event” referenced here may refer to the warehouse ambush scene in which the sailors lure Ryo into a trap at the harbor.
Listen to the track: YouTube
15. Nightmare (2'01")
"Speaking of unsettling music, there is a great deal of it in Shenmue, and I remember composing many such tracks. But even among them, I think this piece creates a particularly disturbing atmosphere. It perfectly suits the scene of Ryo dreaming about Lan Di killing his father".
Composer: Takeshi Yanagawa
Scene used in: A brief portion of this track is used when Ryo tossing and turning in bed as he relives his father's death.
Listen to the track: YouTube
16. Warehouse Secret (2'19")
"This piece does not appear in Chapter One either. I think it will appear in Hong Kong. Shenmue has such a huge variety of scenes that, when composing the music, we divided the tracks into categories such as heroic themes, suspense themes, battle themes, and peaceful themes".
Composer: Osamu Murata
Scene used in: Not used in Shenmue I. Later used during the firewood gathering event in the Guilin cave in Shenmue II.
Listen to the track: YouTube
17. Continent and Sea (2'39")
"I composed this with a sense of determination toward moving forward toward something. It was also used in a commercial, for which I am very grateful. Perhaps this is a piece that many of you are fairly familiar with?"
Composer: Ryuji Iuchi
Scene used in: The climactic 70-man confrontation at the harbor shortly before Ryo leaves Japan.
Additional note: This is the official name of the track adopted by Sega, although it is popularly known among fans as Earth and Sea.
Listen to the track: YouTube
18. Wish... (4'58")
"This is the piece used during the scene where Ryo and Nozomi ride through Yokosuka at night on a motorcycle.
This song was created in a rather unusual way. The entire backing track was completed first, then the lyrics arrived afterward, and I filled in the melody to match them."
Composer: Ryuji Iuchi
Lyrics: Yumi Asada
Performed by: Yumiko Yamamoto
Scene used in: Ryo and Nozomi return from the harbor by motorbike.
Additional note: Ryuji Iuchi later revealed that Yu Suzuki requested a song with a feeling similar to Hikaru Utada's First Love, a hugely popular ballad released shortly before Shenmue. He also described Wish... as the Shenmue composition to which he feels the strongest emotional attachment. The in-game version was specially edited to better fit the timing of the motorcycle scene.
Listen to the track: YouTube
19. Wish... (Karaoke) (4'58")
(No composer commentary provided in the booklet)
Composer: Ryuji Iuchi
Lyrics: Yumi Asada
Scene used in: Not used in-game.
Listen to the track: YouTube
Final Comment
More than 25 years later, these comments still offer a fascinating glimpse into the creation of Shenmue's music, revealing the inspirations behind many of the series' most memorable tracks.
 |
| Image in the booklet's centerfold section |
Smashing! I have the CD but for some reason I’ve never bothered to put the notes through Google translate or whatever.
ReplyDeleteI could quite happily read commentary like this on every single track in the games.
Cheers
SG
The tiny text in the booklet probably didn't help them to be discovered easily either! Glad you found the composer insights of interest.
Delete