[February Songs] Introducing children's songs, folk songs, nursery rhymes, and hand-play songs about Setsubun and winter!
February brings Setsubun and the chant “Oni wa soto, fuku wa uchi!” In nurseries and kindergartens, there are likely many chances to sing songs related to Setsubun.
But in fact, there are plenty of songs perfect for February beyond just Setsubun tunes! In this article, we introduce songs connected to February and children’s songs that are perfect for the harshly cold season.
Many of them can be sung with hand-play motions, so children are sure to enjoy them.
Please make use of them on days when it’s too cold to play outside or during music time.
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[February Songs] Introducing children's songs, folk songs, nursery rhymes, and hand-play songs related to Setsubun and winter! (51–60)
Mr. Penguin’s Mountain ClimbSakushi: Abe Naomi / Sakkyoku: Abe Naomi
The sight of adorable penguins sliding over the ice makes them a perfect motif for February, as birds of cold regions.
This is a light and playful hand game song that seems to capture a penguin’s movements.
You make a big mountain out of your arm and shoulder, then use your other hand, acting as the penguin, to climb the mountain.
At the end, you represent the penguin sliding down the mountain, evoking the charming everyday life of penguins.
After the penguin comes a polar bear, and it’s fun to contrast the difference in the weight and pressure of their steps, as depicted in the lyrics.
The Kitten’s BakerySakushi: Fuyumori Kayoko / Sakkyoku: Hayashi Akira
February 22 is considered Cat Day in Japan because 2-2-2 can be read as “nyan nyan nyan,” the sound of a cat’s meow.
A perfect fit for Cat Day is “The Kitten’s Bakery.” This song, which has also been aired on the children’s program “Okaasan to Issho,” depicts a kitten running a bakery, just as the title suggests.
However, the kitten only kneads the dough and completely forgets the baking step.
As a result, even when customers come to buy bread, there’s nothing to sell! It’s a delightfully quirky story-song.
It also plays on words by combining “koneko” (kitten) and “kone-ru” (to knead), making it fun for little children to sing along.
hail (small hailstones)Sakkyoku: Yanagida Tadashi
This is a children’s song that charmingly portrays arare—hail, a wintertime tradition in Japan.
Born in the 1920s, the song uses onomatopoeia like “konkon” and “parari” to depict the sound of hail falling, delighting children’s playful imaginations.
Its lively rhythm and bright melody instantly conjure up the scene of hail coming down.
It’s widely loved in schools and music education, and is often sung in preschools and kindergartens during the winter season.
It might also be nice to sing it with your family on a cold day while looking out the window.
chocolateSakkyoku: Kutsuna Mika
When you listen to this song, sweet memories of Valentine’s Day come flooding back, don’t they? The track crafted by Mika Katsuna beautifully captures both the sweetness of chocolate and the bittersweetness of love.
Set to a rhythmic melody, it feels as if the feelings of someone in love have been turned directly into lyrics.
Released on February 28, 2023, this piece is perfect for the Valentine’s season.
Just by listening, both those giving and receiving chocolate are sure to feel their hearts race with excitement.
It’s a heartwarming song that’s perfect for enjoying February festivities—be sure to give it a listen.
[February Songs] Introducing children’s songs, folk songs, nursery rhymes, and hand-play songs related to Setsubun and winter! (61–70)
Snow DanceSakushi: Yui Keizō
Here is a fun winter song that can be played in ensemble on the recorder or sung as a round.
The melody is said to be based on the Czechoslovak folk tune “Týnom Tánom.” Keizo Yui wrote the lyrics to that melody.
It was once included in music textbooks, so many people may already know it.
It’s a cheerful song that uses onomatopoeia to mimic the sound of falling snow, but for those who are shoveling or clearing snow, it might not be such a welcome tune.
Momotaro defeats the ogres!
Momotaro is a classic folktale that everyone knows, and since it’s about defeating ogres, it’s a perfect story for February when Setsubun takes place.
This is a hand-play song that depicts Momotaro heading out to vanquish the ogres with his companions.
While expressing Momotaro’s strength, the ogres’ horns, and the appearances of the animal companions, it introduces the story of Momotaro.
In the original tale, a dog, a monkey, and a pheasant join him as his retainers, but it might be fun to arrange it with even stronger-looking animals.
A Demon Parent and Child
This piece focuses on oni—often portrayed as villains—within Setsubun, a major event in February.
The lyrics feature an oni parent and child, expressing differences such as the size of their horns and the lightning they unleash.
It begins with the child oni’s small horns and tiny lightning, then unfolds to depict the father and mother with large, powerful presences.
From there, it might be interesting to imagine other family members as well.
With its light, lively movement, this music could also serve as a friendly introduction to oni.