Taro Ishida | NHK Tochigi 630 Weather Information (2025)

“Sense of Wonder” — Work in Progress

This piece was composed and performed by Taro Ishida for the weather segment of NHK's news program Tochigi 630.

The music is inspired by the natural landscapes of Tochigi. Built on simple, repeating piano phrases, it aims to capture movements that are never truly repetitive.

When it rains, it may seem like countless identical drops are falling from the sky, yet each raindrop follows its own unique path. Leaves swaying in the wind, or water flowing in a river—all appear uniform at a glance, but each element moves slightly differently. I sought to express this subtle, diverse rhythm of nature through the performance.

While the score shows repeated phrases, each note is played with slight variations, embodying the countless small differences that nature reveals.

Weather information is a time to deliver “information,” yet it is also a rare moment when we collectively turn our attention to the sky, the rain, the snow—nature itself. I wanted to create music that focuses not on the “information” side, but on the “weather” side, on nature.

I believe that as this weather segment airs each day, it could transform from simply delivering facts into a precious daily moment to reconnect with nature. I hope that, over time, this accumulation may bring new meaning and value.

May this music quietly inspire you to notice the sky, the wind, and the rain around you.