Who composed the music for the Studio Ghibli film Only Yesterday?

Katsu Hoshi composed the music for the Studio Ghibli film Only Yesterday. He is credited in some releases and references as Katz Hoshi, an alternate romanization used professionally.

Director Isao Takahata commissioned Hoshi to create an image album before the film was released. Some of those compositions were later adapted for the movie’s soundtrack, which was designed around memories, reflection, and rural life. The score also incorporates existing Japanese popular music, European folk traditions, and classical melodies.

A common mix-up is Joe Hisaishi, who composed music for many famous Hayao Miyazaki films, including My Neighbor Totoro and Spirited Away. Only Yesterday was directed by Takahata, however, and its musical identity belongs to Hoshi. The soundtrack’s use of Bulgarian and Hungarian folk music is especially distinctive, reinforcing the film’s contrast between Japanese countryside and Taeko’s childhood memories.