Kōjō no tsuki

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"Kōjō no tsuki" (荒城の月, lit. "Moonlit castle ruins"^?) is a Japanese song. The lyrics were written by Doi Bansui. The music was composed for koto by the pianist and composer Rentarō Taki in 1901. The song was inspired by the ruins of Okajyo Castle built in 1185.

The song was included in the songbook for Junior High School students.

A jazz arrangement was recorded by Thelonious Monk under the title "Japanese Folk Song" on his album Straight, No Chaser (1967).

The song was sung and recorded live in the form of a power ballad by the German hard rock band Scorpions, during a concert in Tokyo. It was released on their 1978 live album Tokyo Tapes.