{{Short description|Official anthem of Nagano Prefecture, Japan}} {{For|province|Shinano Province}} {{Infobox anthem | transcription = Shinano no Kuni | title = 信濃の国 | image = Emblem of Nagano Prefecture.svg | caption = The symbol of Nagano Prefecture | country = {{flag|Nagano Prefecture}} | prefix = Prefectural | type = song | author = Asai Retsu | lyrics_date = 1899 | composer = Kitamura Sueharu | music_date = 1900 | adopted = 20 May 1968 |sound = Shinano no Kuni.ogg }}
{{Nihongo|"'''Shinano no Kuni'''"|信濃の国}} is the prefectural song of [[Nagano Prefecture]], [[Japan]], created for educational purposes. Because of its popular appearance in public areas such as train stations and TV programs, more than half of adults who grew up in the prefecture can sing at least one of its stanzas.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Wigen |first1=Kären |title=A Malleable Map: Geographies of Restoration in Central Japan, 1600-1912 |date=2010 |publisher=University of California Press |isbn=9780520259188 |page=4}}</ref> Sometimes the song is used (half jestingly) to test one's patriotism to the region. The song was played during the opening ceremony of the [[1998 Winter Olympics]] to accompany the Parade of Nations.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://olympics.com/en/video/nagano-1998-opening-ceremony|title=Nagano 1998- Opening Ceremony |website=olympics.com |access-date=6 May 2023}}</ref> ''Shinano no kuni'' is the Japanese name for the old [[Shinano Province]], to which the current Nagano prefecture is contiguous.
The song was created in 1900, and was officially designated as Nagano's prefectural song on 20 May 1968.<ref name="jreast20141107">{{cite web |url=http://www.jreast.co.jp/nagano/pdf/141110.pdf |script-title=ja:北陸新幹線 金沢開業に向け、長野駅と飯山駅の発車メロディをそれぞれ県歌「信濃の国」と唱歌「ふるさと」といたします。|trans-title="Shinano no Kuni" and "Furusato" to be used as departure melodies for Nagano and Iiyama Stations |date= 7 November 2014 |work= News release |publisher= East Japan Railway Company Nagano Division|location= Japan|language= ja|access-date= 13 November 2014}}</ref> The lyrics were written by {{Nihongo|[[:ja:浅井洌|Asai Retsu]]|浅井洌}}, a Nagano-born teacher, and the tune was composed by {{Nihongo|[[:ja:北村季晴|Kitamura Sueharu]]|北村季晴}}.<ref name="jreast20141107" />It consists of a total of six stanzas, the fourth having a different melody and tempo from the rest. It is said that the reason why the fourth verse is different is to add emotion.
The lyrics are divided into sections as follows: An overview of the geography of Nagano Prefecture mountains and rivers industry Historic Site/Scenic Beauty Notable people from Nagano Usui Pass and the railway (Shinetsu Main Line opened several years before the composition), concluding
==See also== {{Wikisourcelang|ja|信濃の国|Shinano no Kuni}} *[[List of Prefecture songs of Japan]]
==References== {{Reflist}} {{National anthems of Asia}} {{Authority control}}
[[Category:1900 songs]] [[Category:Culture in Nagano Prefecture]] [[Category:Songs in Japanese]] [[Category:Japanese prefectural songs]] [[Category:1900 establishments in Japan]] [[Category:Compositions in F major]]