Wonderful sports day / athletic festival

[Eisa] A roundup of classic and popular songs—perfect for sports day!

10 years as a kindergarten teacher / elementary school teacher / junior and senior high school teacher / childminderkepiko
Graduated from Kunitachi College of Music, Faculty of Music (now: Department of Music Culture and Education, Early Childhood Music Education major). In elementary school, my homeroom teacher was Jun Kusaba, a game researcher. After graduating from university, I worked as a kindergarten teacher for 10 years and as an after-school childcare instructor for 7 years, then took a position as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I engaged in activities that introduced Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational activities, working with many children. Later, through freelance writing, planning, and editing at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and sharing. Drawing on the perspective cultivated in the field of education and my experience as an editor, I provide practical information with an emphasis on both input and output, mainly in areas related to music and children. My hobbies include instruments, singing, handicrafts, toys, drawing, traditional games, the outdoors, and books. My special skill is spinning-top tricks.
Accompanist / Piano Instructoryuri
Accompanist pianist × piano instructor × web writer. I began piano lessons at age four and, inspired by my piano teacher, decided to pursue music. I went on to specialized music programs in high school and university, where I discovered the appeal of accompanying instrumentalists and singers. Currently, alongside teaching piano, I work mainly in my home region of Aichi as an accompanist for flute, voice, choir, and more. Through lessons, my students often introduce me to trending songs, and my hobby is trying anything on the piano—Japanese and Western pop, commercial jingles, and beyond. Since 2021, I’ve also been active as a web writer, covering music and a variety of other genres.

Eisa is sometimes performed as one of the group events at elementary and junior high school sports festivals.

Originally a traditional performing art of Okinawa, the powerful sight of performers beating drums of various sizes and dancing is truly breathtaking!

The music used traditionally includes folk songs passed down through the ages, and in recent years, pop music has also been adopted.

In this article, we’ll introduce a comprehensive selection of songs perfect for Eisa—from classic staples and popular tracks in Okinawa itself to J-pop numbers that are sometimes used for Eisa performances at sports festivals.

We hope this helps you choose music for your sports day!

[Eisa] A roundup of classic and popular songs perfect for sports day! (21–30)

play yardMaekawa Morikata

Playground - Mamoru Maekawa

play yardMaekawa Morikata

Mamoru Maekawa is a singer who specializes in Okinawan folk songs.

His 1988 release “Ashibi-naa” is a very easy-listening track with a lively rhythm.

By the way, the title is pronounced ‘ashibi-naa.’ Its accessible arrangement, which even connects to modern pop sensibilities, makes it a good recommendation for people who don’t usually listen to Okinawan folk music.

It’s said to be popular in karaoke boxes in Okinawa as well, showing how its familiar, friendly melody is loved by many.

Because it’s widely known, it’s also a great choice for dancing Eisa!

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Eisa NightNatsukawa Rimi

Shinjuku Eisa 2019: Eisa Night (sung by Rimi Natsukawa) Tokyo 100 Views 10

Eisa NightNatsukawa Rimi

Rimi Natsukawa is a singer from Ishigaki City in Okinawa Prefecture, best known for the massive 2001 hit Nada Sousou.

Her song Eisa no Yoru, as the title suggests, is themed around Eisa.

Its lyrics are full of poetic expressions that vividly conjure up lively scenes just by listening—one of its biggest charms! Compared to traditional Okinawan folk songs, it’s a relatively new piece, but it’s reportedly being used more and more in Eisa performances nowadays.

It’s also available at karaoke, so if you get the chance to sing together, definitely give it a try!

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[Eisa] A roundup of classic and popular songs perfect for sports days! (31–40)

Island SongTHE BOOM

THE BOOM “Shima Uta (Original Version)” Official Music Video

Island SongTHE BOOM

If someone asked what Okinawan music and melodies are like, many people would probably think of THE BOOM’s “Shima Uta.” Featuring Okinawa’s distinctive tunes sung in the Ryukyuan scale at a relaxed pace and arranged with a contemporary touch, this song carries a wish for peace at its core.

Although THE BOOM’s vocalist, Kazufumi Miyazawa, is not from Okinawa, he studied the island’s wartime history and entrusted the lessons and feelings he gained to his music.

“Shima Uta,” which helped bring Okinawa’s traditional music—once not widely known—into the mainstream, remains beloved by many to this day, even being used for eisa performances at school sports festivals.

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Flower windmill

[Okinawan Folk Songs] Hana nu Kazaguruma, Jin Jin (with translated lyrics, 4K video) / Kazuya Gibo

Flower windmill

“Hana nu Kajimayaa” is pronounced “hananu kajimayaa,” and it’s an Okinawan folk song that seems to depict a windmill turning as it catches the breeze.

Its lyrics convey the gentle winds of Okinawa and the light, whirling motion of the windmill.

When performed for Eisa, it’s standard to raise the tempo and present it together with finger whistling, making the interjected calls sound especially light and lively.

With words said to emulate the tone of the sanshin and phrases that sound like calls to those around, the song also conveys a cheerful, festive atmosphere.

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Grandma Obaa’s Signature Bomb Hot PotBEGIN

Grandma’s Famous Bakudan Hotpot (Eisa Version)

Grandma Obaa's Signature Bomb Hot PotBEGIN

A heartwarming song by BEGIN that celebrates Okinawa’s traditional cuisine and culture.

Through the grandmother’s pride, the “Bakudan Nabe” (Bomb Hot Pot), it portrays Okinawa’s food culture and warm-hearted community, beloved by locals and tourists alike.

Ingredients unique to Okinawa—such as rafute (braised pork belly) and goya champuru (stir-fried bitter melon)—appear in the lyrics, leaving a strong impression of deep local pride.

Released in July 2002, the song was later used in 2012 as the opening theme for an Okinawa TV tokusatsu drama.

It’s a track that lets you fully experience the charm of Okinawa, perfect for those interested in regional cuisine and community bonds.

It would also make a wonderful choice to showcase Okinawan culture as an Eisa performance piece for school sports festivals.

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Bountiful Harvest Dance

[Okinawan Folk Song] Harvest Dance / Kachaashii - Large Drum

Bountiful Harvest Dance

It’s an Okinawan folk song that conveys the feeling of celebrating a bountiful harvest and sharing words of joy, with a light and cheerful atmosphere.

It depicts people reveling and sensing abundance in various animals and landscapes.

Its lively tempo and bright mood are key features, and the piece is used not only for Eisa, but also for kachāshī, the dance often performed to wrap up celebrations.

When using it for Eisa, incorporating playful steps and movements inspired by kachāshī should effectively express the joy of a plentiful harvest.

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Tenyo-bushi

Sanshin class assignment piece “Tenyo-bushi” — 2013 Eisa Night (Gokai Youth Association)

Tenyo-bushi

There are many traditional Okinawan music pieces used in dances like Eisa, as well as in celebrations and festivals.

“Tenyo-bushi” is also a traditional song that has long been sung, played, and loved by people of all ages.

The lyrics vary slightly by region, which reflects the unique character of each area.

Okinawan folk music features a range of melodic styles, tempos, and themes.

“Tenyo-bushi” is a classic Eisa number performed during the summer Obon season in July and August, when people eagerly await the visit of their ancestors and pray for their families’ health and prosperity.

It has long been danced as a Bon Odori to the light, lively sound of the sanshin.

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