Folksongs, children's songs, and nursery rhymes of Fukushima: the heart of our hometown passed down in song
The Tohoku region has traditionally been rich in folk songs.
Since ancient times, there have been festival songs and the like that are rooted in the local land.
Many of these songs are ones that everyone from the area would know, but this time we’ve gathered pieces to help more people appreciate the beauty of folk music.
Younger people and others may not be very familiar with it nowadays, so I’d be happy if this sparks your interest!
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Folk songs, children’s songs, and nursery rhymes of Fukushima: The enduring heart of our hometown (1–10)
Mount Bandai of AizuOtsuka Fumio
Aizu Bandai-san, famous for its distinctive opening that begins with “Enya,” was released nationwide by Victor in 1934 (Showa 9) in a version sung by Kouta Katsutaro.
However, because the lyrics differed so much from the original, it was criticized as an affront to local sentiment.
The original “Aizu Bandai-san” is said to have as many as 162 verses and is known as the “authentic Aizu Bandai-san.” The version most people are familiar with starts at what is considered verse 21.
Takada JinkuAizumisato-machi
A folk song from Aizumisato Town, Onuma District, Fukushima Prefecture.
Formerly known by the place name Aizu Takada, it was sung as a Bon dance song at Isasumi Shrine and has become an important hometown folk song for local residents.
The lyrics, led by references to Isasumi Shrine, praise the virtues of Takada by comparing them to natural seasonal scenes.
The song is quite long, so memorizing all the verses might be difficult.
Morning on the Ranch
It is said that the lyrics of “Morning on the Ranch” were written with Iwase Farm in Kagamiishi, Fukushima Prefecture as their model.
The lyrics depict the ranch at daybreak, shrouded in mist, interweaving scenes of sound and light along with the people working on the ranch and the sheep.
Describing how morning arrives on the wide ranch and a new day begins, the song’s lyrics are also included in elementary school textbooks.
Asking children what kinds of animals might be on a ranch, or explaining the kinds of work people do there, may help them form a clearer image of the piece.
Folk songs, children’s songs, and nursery rhymes of Fukushima: The heart of our hometown passed down in song (11–20)
Miharu Bon Odori SongMurata Kenji
A bon dance song passed down in Miharu, Tamura District, Fukushima Prefecture.
The name Miharu (“three springs”) comes from the fact that plum, peach, and cherry blossoms bloom at the same time, allowing you to see three springs at once.
The Miharu Bon Song is also known as the “Miharu Jinku.” It originated when the Echigo jinku was brought to Aizu and then spread to the Iwaki area.
The Miharu Bon Dance is among the most vibrant in the prefecture, and during the Obon season in August it is danced throughout Miharu.
It is said that in the past, there were times when people danced in grand fashion until morning.
Soma Bon SongShūko Tarō
As its name suggests, this is a Bon dance song from Soma City in Fukushima Prefecture.
It originally derives from the Akita Jinku and was passed down from the Shonai and Murayama regions of Yamagata Prefecture to the Nakadori and Hamadori areas of Fukushima.
It is a harvest dance expressing gratitude for a bountiful rice crop, and it features distinctive festival chants interspersed between the verses.
In urban centers, where there are often no local Bon songs, familiar tunes like Tokyo Ondo, Hokkai Bon Uta, and Soma Bon Uta are widely enjoyed.
Wonderful FukushimaSakushi: Reiwa Ichirou / Sakkyoku: Koseki Yuji
This heartwarming local song pairs a melody by Yuji Koseki, a composer from Fukushima City, with modern lyrics.
The words, woven with landmarks such as the Abukuma River, Iizaka Onsen, and the Azuma mountain range, express a deep love for the homeland.
Released in 2021, the song emerged amid renewed attention following the NHK morning drama “Yell,” in which the Koseki couple served as models.
It is a hometown anthem filled with affection, meant for Fukushima residents working toward recovery from the earthquake disaster, people from Fukushima living far away, and anyone who wants to experience the beauty and charm of Fukushima.
Nakoso Kouta (Nakoso Little Song)Hatsune Miku
Located in the southern part of Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture, Nakoso sits on the border between Ibaraki and Fukushima, and in the past it was the site of the historic “Nakoso Barrier.” As time passed, during the high economic growth period in 1957, the Jōban coalfield and the Nakoso Thermal Power Station were established, and the town of Nakoso prospered rapidly.
This text is a lyric for a drinking song that was sung to celebrate those flourishing times.