Songs to Listen to on Children’s Day | A Curated Selection of Music for Tango no Sekku!
As Children’s Day approaches, is there a song that you suddenly find yourself humming?Nursery rhymes and seasonal songs related to Tango no Sekku have long been cherished across generations as an important part of Japanese culture.In this article, we’ll introduce songs associated with Tango no Sekku that will fill you with nostalgia the moment you hear them—from those everyone knows to classic tunes whose lyrics you might not actually remember.Singing them with your child will make seasonal traditions feel closer and more fun.Enjoy them together with your family!
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Songs to Listen to on Children's Day | A Curated Selection of Music for Tango no Sekku (Boys' Festival)! (31–40)
A bamboo shoot has sprouted.NEW!warabeuta asobi
A children’s hand-play song that expresses the growth of bamboo shoots with the whole body, just as they come into season from spring to early summer.
You enjoy the story through hand motions—from a sprout emerging from the soil, to a flower blooming with a pop, and finally being snipped with scissors.
Because the hand shapes for rock, scissors, and paper are naturally incorporated into the actions, it’s also perfect for helping kids learn the rules of rock-paper-scissors.
Although it’s a traditional song passed down through generations, it has become a familiar group activity in nurseries and kindergartens, partly thanks to being featured on NHK’s children’s programs.
It typically ends with everyone chanting “essa, essa” together and deciding the winner with rock-paper-scissors.
Under the beautiful May skies of fresh greenery, get moving energetically with your family and friends.
KintaroSakushi: Ishihara Wasaburō / Sakkyoku: Tamura Torazō
This is a children’s song that depicts a sturdy boy wrestling a bear on Mount Ashigara.
Written by Wasaburō Ishihara and composed by Torazō Tamura, it was published in June 1900 in “Shōnen Shōka, First Edition, Upper Volume.” As a representative children’s song that sings about a folktale hero in words familiar to children, it remains beloved today.
The bold figure carrying a hatchet and practicing horse-riding is vividly expressed through a lively two-beat rhythm and spirited calls that make it easy to sing while moving the body.
Because it conveys strength and energy, it’s perfect for singing with children in childcare settings or at home who are starting to take an interest in animals and folktales.
Add handclaps and gestures while singing, and it’s sure to be even more exciting.
koinobori (carp streamers)sakushi: fushō / sakkyoku: Hirota Ryūtarō
Did you know there are two children’s songs: “Koinobori” written in kana and “Koinobori” written with the kanji 鯉のぼり? This one is the kanji version, 鯉のぼり.
It was composed earlier than the more commonly heard kana version.
It seems to have been written in the Taisho era, and it includes many words that are no longer used today, making it feel a bit difficult.
Overall, the song conveys parents’ hopes that their children will grow up healthy and strong in both mind and body.
Boys’ Festival (Tango no Sekku)Sakushi sakkyoku: Yuuko
Here is an original song called “Tango no Sekku” by someone named Yuko.
Unexpectedly—or perhaps inevitably—it has turned into a serious, tango-style piece.
The moment the song starts, you might think it’s a parody of that famous tune, but no, it isn’t… it isn’t.
While many songs about Hinamatsuri and Tango no Sekku evoke the feel of Japanese children’s songs, this musical style is conversely fresh and memorable.
I hope it will be loved as a new standard song for Children’s Day.
Children’s Daysakushi: sakata hiroo / sakkyoku: onaka megumi
Lyrics by Hiroo Sakata, music by Megumi Ōnaka.
I don’t know the details of its release, but this song, called “Kodomo no Hi,” is an extremely short piece.
Many children’s songs are brief so that even very young kids can sing them, but this one is truly short—so much so that the lyrics seem easy to memorize.
Even children who can’t read yet can sing it.
It’s a song for Children’s Day that evokes the image of openhearted, free-spirited children.
motherSakushi: Tanaka Nana / Sakkyoku: Nakada Yoshinao
The children’s song “Okaasan” paints a heartwarming scene where a child speaks to their mother and the mother replies.
It’s a very short song, but it beautifully portrays a child’s feelings for their mother and a mother’s gentle way of interacting with her child.
Even very young children who can’t read can sing it, and you can change a few words to make a fun parody version—an original song just for your family.
shoulder tapSakushi: Saijō Yaso / Sakkyoku: Nakayama Shimpei
“Katatataki” (Shoulder Tapping) is a song sung from a child’s perspective about a child giving their mother a shoulder massage.
The song was released in 1923, during the Taisho 12 era.
The lyrics were written by Saijō Yaso, and the music was composed by Nakayama Shimpei.
You can picture a child tapping their busy mother’s shoulders from behind, chatting about what they’ve noticed while thinking of her daily busyness.
Although it’s a very short song, it has five verses.
Tan-go FestivalSakushi sakkyoku: Ichigokurabu
Tango no Sekku, also known as the Iris Festival, is one of the five seasonal festivals.
We know it as an old tradition, but these days it feels more like a celebration day for children’s growth—eating kashiwa-mochi, flying carp streamers, and soaking in iris baths.
The song “Tango no Sekku” is one of the “Ichigo Club Original Songs” created by Ichigo Club.
Its melody, which perfectly captures the charm of a children’s song, is very pleasant to listen to.
The lyrics, with their “I’ll grow big! I’ll grow strong!” vibe, are encouraging too.
It’s a very easy song to sing, so I hope more people will get to know it.
Tango no Sekku (the Boys’ Festival)Morita Doji
This is “Tango no Sekku” by singer-songwriter Doji Morita, known for her unique atmosphere and vocals.
The song recalls childhood, always with her younger brother somewhere in her line of sight, and it’s sung as if savoring that nostalgia.
Words like shobu-yu (iris bath) and May rain are scattered throughout, but in true Doji Morita fashion, it becomes a mysterious Children’s Day song.
carp in the pondsakushi sakkyoku: fushō
When we think of Children’s Day, we picture carp streamers swimming in the sky, but this children’s song, Pond Carp, focuses on carp swimming in a pond.
It depicts someone calling out, “Come out—!” to carp hiding among the pond’s algae or in the shade of trees.
Wanting the carp to appear, the song’s protagonist tries various ideas, like making sounds or offering food.
The sight of carp streamers gliding through the sky is wonderful, of course, but let this song be a chance to befriend the carp swimming in the pond, too!
