The tune of "Wagakuni" actually come from a song composed by Okano Teiichi and written by Takano Tatsuyuki in 1914 named "Furusato." "Furusato" literally means “Hometown” and its lyrics describe the nostalgic feelings of persons who working distantly from their childhood home. The song was so popular at that time, especially among the urban industrial workers and college students who mainly worked away from their hometowns.