What songs do you sing when you play otedama (beanbag juggling)?
You may have a song your grandmother taught you, but the lyrics are a bit fuzzy and you don’t even know the title.
This article introduces a variety of otedama songs.
From traditional tunes like “Ohitotsu Otoshite Osara” and “Ichiban Hajime wa Ichinomiya” to nursery rhymes sung during otedama play in early childhood settings, we’ve gathered many songs.
Give them a try—sing and play along!
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Oteddama Song: Playable Children's Hand-Clapping/Beanbag Rhymes (1–10)
Where are you from?
The children’s song “Antagata Dokosa” is also famous as a temari (handball) song, but this time I’ll introduce it as a beanbag song.
It starts with a call-and-response between two people sitting face-to-face, then continues into what we’d now call solo “juggling,” and finally, you pass if you can drop the beanbag placed on your head neatly into your hands.
Try playing along at a lively tempo to the song.
By the way, did you know there’s a second verse to this song? In the first verse, the lyrics tell of a hunter shooting a tanuki in the mountains with a rifle, and in the second verse, it’s said the lyrics describe a fisherman catching shrimp in the river with a net.
peta peta petan (onomatopoeia of pounding mochi)
Even the rice we eat in everyday life used to be something people prayed for, because the stalks wouldn’t always bear grain.
Those feelings were turned into the children’s song “Pettara Pettan.” First, place a beanbag on your palm and mimic the motion of pounding mochi.
Once the mochi is “pounded,” say “to the household shrine” and place the beanbag on top of your head.
Next, while praying for a good harvest, bow your head and catch the beanbag back on your palm.
You can almost picture the children giggling at the humorous song and motions.
It’s something everyone can enjoy together.
The very first is Ichinomiya.
There are many kinds of counting songs among children’s folk songs, and the ones people are familiar with likely differ by region.
“Ichiban hajime wa Ichi no Miya” is one such counting song.
As you sing, you rhythmically toss beanbags.
Children can usually learn to do it with practice from about elementary school age.
Since it’s quite a long counting song, it’s fun to see how long you can keep the beanbags going! Beanbag play doesn’t just use your hands—it also helps you pick up the rhythm.
Once you learn it, you’ll find yourself absorbed in the game.
otebushitebushi
“Otebushi tebushi” is a game where you hide a beanbag in one hand, say “Which hand?”, and have the other person guess which hand it’s in.
The nursery rhyme that starts with “Otebushi tebushi” has slightly grotesque lyrics, but the tune itself is very cheerful, which makes for a strangely surreal contrast.
Nursery rhymes are fascinating, aren’t they? You can play this from around age one, so have your child guess which hand it’s in.
They’ll likely ask, “Again!”
One pinch, two pinches
Also known as a beanbag song, a handball (temari) song, and a clapping game song, this piece is sung from the perspective of the daughter of Saigō Takamori, a samurai of the late Edo period who was also the subject of a historical drama, as she visits her father Saigō Takamori’s grave.
Though the lyrics carry a slightly wistful tone, the rhythm and melody are bright, making it easy to juggle beanbags to.
Try practicing by starting slowly and gradually increasing the tempo.
After singing it for beanbag play, try singing it as a handball song or a clapping game song as well.
rampant in a single line
In addition to being used for beanbag play, “Ichiretsu Ranpan” was also cherished as a temari (handball) song.
Its lyrics depict events from the Russo-Japanese War of 1904–1905.
It is said to have been well known among children as a nursery rhyme even at the time.
If you listen closely, the lyrics include the numbers from 1 to 20, so it can be considered a song with a number-play element.
Despite the subject matter, the melody has a brightness within its bravado, and the tempo is just right for beanbag juggling, making it perfect for otedama play.
when you get home
“Kometsuitara Hanaso” is a traditional children’s song you can play together with kids from around age four, once they start understanding game rules.
First, while singing “Kometsuitara,” gently tap a beanbag in your hand.
At the end, while saying “Hanashita,” raise the hand holding the beanbag high and let it drop.
If you can catch it with your other hand, you succeed.
Once you get used to the game, raising the drop height makes it more challenging and fun.
Try seeing how high you can go and still succeed!