[February Songs] Introducing children's songs, folk songs, nursery rhymes, and hand-play songs about Setsubun and winter!

Snow KobōzuSakkyokusha: Fushō

Children’s song “Yuki no Kobōzu” Vocals: Satoko Yamano

“Yuki no Kobōzu,” sung to the same melody as “Ito Maki no Uta,” a song about making shoes, shares an unclear origin.

It is said to have come from pieces like the Danish folk tune “Shoemaker’s Polka” and the folk dance tune “Shoemaker Dance.” Since “Ito Maki no Uta” is widely known, you can easily sing “Yuki no Kobōzu” by simply changing the lyrics! “Yuki no kobōzu” refers to snow itself, and the song describes how falling snow lands in various places and what happens to it.

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Tango of the Red Ogre and the Blue OgreSakkyoku: Fukuda Wakako

Tango of the Red Ogre and the Blue Ogre (from “Okaasan to Issho”)

A children’s song that leaves you wondering, “What does it even mean for a scary red ogre and a blue ogre to dance the tango?”—that’s Red Ogre and Blue Ogre’s Tango.

Just as the title suggests, the chorus carries a tango rhythm, and to that beat it portrays a red ogre and a blue ogre, made merry by the moonlit night, dancing the tango.

With such cheerful ogres, they don’t seem scary at all, do they? Even little kids who think ogres equal frightening monsters can enjoy singing this song.

It’s a comical ogre tune that’s also been broadcast on Minna no Uta and Okaasan to Issho!

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Cha-Cha-Cha of the SnowmanSakushi / Sakkyoku: Tajiga Akira

@hoiku_first

Perfect fingerplay for winter! “The Snowman Cha-Cha-Cha ⛄❄” Let’s all become snowmen and dance together 🎵 The snappy rhythm will keep you smiling nonstop! ✨ We’re also taking requests for recommended winter fingerplay songs!Snowman Cha-cha-chaHand gamesWinter activitiesA day at the nursery

♬ Perfect for cute pet and child videos(1583669) – Takashi

Let me introduce a song that will make you want to move your body with lively energy to cheerful Latin rhythms! “The Snowman Cha-Cha-Cha” is a hand-play song with lyrics and music by Akira Tashiga, hugely popular in preschools and kindergartens.

Its fun progression—like a family growing as you build snowmen—and the catchy calls echoed in the title captivate children’s hearts.

The album “January’s Exciting Songs: Nursery Rhymes and Children’s Songs for Parents and Kids,” which includes tracks such as Junko Uchida’s recording, was released in August 2018.

You can clap along and strike poses to the music, making it perfect for indoor play on cold days.

It’s a classic winter song that teachers, friends, and parents and children can all enjoy together.

TroikaRoshia min’yō

Troika (winter nursery rhyme / school song)

A rhythm that seems to dash lightly through a snowy landscape feels like it could blow away the winter chill.

This piece is a delightful Russian folk song, evoking scenes of racing across a silver world and a melody where you can almost hear sleigh bells jingling.

In Japan, it has been loved for its cheerful character since around 1952, but locally it’s a historic song whose existence has been documented since about 1901.

After it was broadcast on NHK’s “Minna no Uta” in December 1961, it appeared in music textbooks and has continued to be cherished across generations.

Its exhilarating tempo makes it perfect for ringing bells and playing together with children, or singing indoors as if you were on a sleigh ride! How about humming this classic tune with your family—a song that warms you up even on a cold day?

Ticotin, the winter fairySakushi / Sakkyoku: Suzuki Tsubasa

Ticotine, the Winter Fairy [Hand Play / Play Song] Lyrics & Music: Tsubasa Suzuki, Kazuto Ozawa ♪ Tickle Play

Do you know a perfect song for parent-child bonding that warms the heart in the cold season? It’s a play song you can enjoy with tickling games while imagining a winter fairy casting magic.

Move your body to the mysterious, magical-sounding words, and you might just forget the cold.

Created by Tsubasa Suzuki and Kazuto Ozawa, this piece is included on the album “Arigatou no Aoi Sora [Blue],” released in June 2016.

Packed with playfulness in a short track, it’s handy for kicking off activities at nurseries and kindergartens, or for filling small pockets of time.

Tickling play that brings out children’s laughter is also perfect for indoor fun on chilly days, don’t you think?

fluffy snowteasobi

January hand game “Fluffy Snow♪” (with lyrics) – a winter hand play that childcare workers and moms and dads recommend, and that children love! Nursery rhyme & Japanese children’s song

Here’s a unique hand-play song that’s perfect for the winter season, letting you enjoy the chill of snow and delicious food all at once! “Fluffy Fluffy Snow” is a tune where you gather the snow falling from the sky and, keeping the rhythm, make an adorable snowman.

The playful lyrics, which imagine parts like the eyes and mouth as mandarins and strawberries, spark children’s imaginations.

Released in May 2019 as a hand-play activity recipe, the song spread through word of mouth in childcare settings and via videos, and has become widely used as an introduction to winter craft activities.

If you turn it into a panel theater activity, you can have fun creating all kinds of expressions with the children, and it also helps them learn the names of vegetables and fruits! How about keeping warm indoors during the cold season while everyone sings and plays together?

The Spinning SongSakkyoku: Komori Akihiro

“The Itomaki Song” (with hand motions)

The children’s song “Ito Maki no Uta” is a well-loved hand-play song.

The lyrics about winding and pulling thread to make little elves’ shoes are quite familiar, aren’t they? If you change part of the lyrics, you can make all sorts of things, so how about making winter-themed items like scarves or sweaters together with the children?

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