Folk songs, children's songs, and nursery rhymes of Iwate: the heart of the hometown passed down through song
It’s a region with many folk songs.
In other words, it proves that the local, deeply rooted culture has been closely connected with music.
Most of the songs are about seasonal events, and I felt they express a distinctly Japanese sense of aesthetics.
These days, I imagine there’s demand among foreigners who love Japan.
Be sure to check it out.
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Folk Songs, Children's Songs, and Nursery Rhymes of Iwate: The Heart of Our Hometown Passed Down in Song (11–20)
Nanbu Makata-bushiTamayama Tsuyako
This is said to be a song farmers sang on their way home after finishing the grass cutting.
Its relaxed tempo conjures up the image of taking a breather after a hard day’s work.
While folk songs of this type are often called “Mago-bushi” (carter’s song) in other regions, in Iwate they are known as “Umakata-bushi.”
Sansa ShigureKusano Tsuneo
It is a folk song that has long been passed down as a classic piece for weddings, and its lyrics are very auspicious.
It is also said that it was originally a song sung when Date Masamune, the Sengoku warlord known as the One-Eyed Dragon, won the Battle of Suriagehara.
Setsu ToyamaKikuchi Hiromi
In 1891 (Meiji 24), an Imperial Ranch was established in Morioka City.
The workers there sang this Toyama-bushi while cutting grass.
Its popularity later grew after it was recorded.
The site where the Imperial Ranch once stood is now a livestock research station.
Chagu Chagu UmakkoFujioka Riko
Chagu Chagu Uma Ko, in which splendidly decorated horses parade through the streets, is one of Iwate Prefecture’s representative folk events and has been designated as a Selected Intangible Folk Cultural Property.
This song describes the event; it is not very old and was composed for the 1970 Michinoku National Sports Festival.
Morioka OndoFujimoto Nisankichi
Composed in 1934 (Showa 9), it is a relatively new song and one of the so-called shin-minyo (new folk songs).
When we think of folk songs, we often picture those passed down by farmers and fishers, but this song was sung by a wide range of people.
Japan was in a recession at the time, and many were likely encouraged by this song.
Soken-bushiTakahashi Aki
This is a song said to have been sung by spa patients when they enjoyed the company of geisha at Yumoto Onsen, which is believed to have opened in the Edo period.
Its exact origin is unclear.
It is also known as “Aiko-bushi” and “Sawanai Aiken-bushi.” It was popular not only in Iwate Prefecture but also in Akita Prefecture.
Folk Songs, Children's Songs, and Nursery Rhymes of Iwate: The Heart of Our Hometown Passed Down in Song (21–30)
Dear TorajoSeino Akiko
As you can tell at a glance from the lyrics, this song is also based on “Nanyadoyara.” With its cheerful tone, it’s very much what you’d call a typical Bon Odori song.
A woman’s name appears in the lyrics, and she was a real person who was reputed to be a beauty.