National Anthem Comparison
Japan vs South Korea
2
Shared themes
✓
Same mood
991
991 years apart
✓
Same continent
Comparison Analysis
Japan and South Korea, both Asia nations, take distinct approaches to their national anthems. Japan's "Kimigayo" was written in 905, while South Korea's "Aegukga" dates to 1896.
Both anthems share themes of Nature and Resilience. Japan additionally explores Monarchy, while South Korea also touches on Love of homeland and God / Faith.
Both anthems carry a Solemn tone, creating a similar emotional register despite their geographic distance.
Japan's anthem predates South Korea's by 991 years, having been written in 905 compared to 1896.
Shared themes
Japan
👑 Monarchy 🌿 Nature 💪 Resilience
South Korea
🌿 Nature ❤ Love of homeland 💪 Resilience ✝ God / Faith
Shared themes:
🌿 Nature 💪 Resilience
Metadata
| Japan | South Korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Written | 905 | 1896 |
| Adopted | 1999 | 1948 |
| Lyricist | Unknown (Kokin Wakashū anthology) | Yun Chi-ho or Ahn Changho (debated) |
| Composer | Hiromori Hayashi | Ahn Eak-tai |
| Language | ja | ko |
| Region | East Asia | East Asia |
Lyrics Side by Side
Japan
君が代
Original
君が代は
千代に八千代に
さざれ石の
巌となりて
苔のむすまで
Translation
May your reign
Continue for a thousand, eight thousand generations,
Until the pebbles
Grow into boulders
Lush with moss.
South Korea
애국가
Original
동해물과 백두산이 마르고 닳도록
하느님이 보우하사 우리나라 만세.
[후렴]
무궁화 삼천리 화려강산
대한사람 대한으로 길이 보전하세.
남산 위에 저 소나무 철갑을 두른 듯
바람서리 불변함은 우리 기상일세.
[후렴]
가을 하늘 공활한데 높고 구름 없이
밝은 달은 우리 가슴 일편단심일세.
[후렴]
이 기상과 이 맘으로 충성을 다하여
괴로우나 즐거우나 나라 사랑하세.
[후렴]
Translation
Until the East Sea's waters are dried, and Baekdusan worn away,
God protect and preserve our nation, ten thousand years.
[Chorus]
Three thousand li of splendid rivers and mountains,
Filled with Rose of Sharon, great Koreans, let us forever preserve our great land.
As the pine atop Namsan stands firm, unchanged through wind and frost,
As if wrapped in armour, so is our resilient spirit.
[Chorus]
The autumn sky is void and vast, high and cloudless,
The bright moon is our heart, undivided and true.
[Chorus]
With this spirit and this mind, give all loyalty,
In suffering or in joy, love the country.
[Chorus]
Interesting facts
Japan
- 1. The lyrics are over 1,000 years old, taken from the Kokin Wakashu poetry anthology compiled around 905 AD
- 2. At just 11 measures of music, it takes roughly 50 seconds to perform, making it the world's shortest anthem
- 3. It was only formally designated as Japan's anthem in 1999, despite being used since the Meiji era
South Korea
- 1. Composer Ahn Eak-tai wrote the melody while living in Spain and later conducted the premiere with a European orchestra, but he never returned to Korea to hear it performed as the official anthem.
- 2. The anthem references Mount Baekdu, which actually sits on the North Korean-Chinese border, meaning South Korea's anthem celebrates a mountain it has no territorial access to.
- 3. South Korean law does not require citizens to stand for the anthem, but a specific etiquette code published by the government suggests placing the right hand over the heart.
Listen
Japan
South Korea
