[Warabe-uta] Beloved Classic Songs Passed Down Through Generations
Nursery rhymes that have been passed down in Japan since long ago.
There are many types of nursery rhymes, including drawing songs, counting songs, and play songs.
Many of you probably sang and played games like Kagome Kagome and Hana Ichi Monme at least once when you were children.
In this article, we introduce popular nursery rhymes.
If you want to remember the nursery rhymes you sang as a child or enjoy them with your kids, be sure to give them a listen!
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[Warabe-uta] Beloved nostalgic songs passed down through generations (11–20)
One crow
It is a traditional Japanese children’s song that is also known as a jump-rope rhyme.
Characterized by a simple melody and lyrics that incorporate animal sounds, it is popular in children’s play and educational settings.
By singing while jumping rope, this work also has an educational aspect that helps children enjoyably learn rhythm and the concept of numbers.
In addition to being fun for families, it is a song highly valued in early childhood education and will likely continue to be loved for a long time to come.
Seven Herb Songwarabeuta
This is a children’s song about nanakusa-gayu, the rice porridge traditionally eaten around the beginning of spring (Risshun).
The “bird from Tang” mentioned in the lyrics seems to refer to the onidori, a bird said to be an omen of misfortune if it fell on a house where people lived.
It also shows that, for people in the past, birds were seen as harmful creatures that ravaged their fields.
Bamboo shoots are sprouting.warabeuta
A traditional Japanese play song that evokes the arrival of spring.
The choreography lets children use their whole bodies: bringing both hands together above the head to show a sprout pushing up from the ground, or spreading their arms wide to mimic a flower in bloom.
It’s also interesting that the way it’s played varies slightly by region.
As children move their hands and bodies to the rhythm, smiles naturally appear—making this familiar warabe-uta a comforting song that eases the anxieties of kids facing new environments.
It’s a perfect piece for nurturing healthy growth and rich emotional development.
The Full Moon Man’s mochi poundingwarabeuta
One person takes the role of pounding the mochi, and the other kneads it, singing while clapping their hands.
For the kneading role, it’s important to move their hands rhythmically so they don’t get caught and hit by the pounding role’s hands.
Take turns switching roles and have fun.
one bamboo shootwarabeuta
Perfect for the spring season, this song is a traditional children’s rhyme that has been loved for generations.
Its simple lyrics and the playful format—dividing into an ogre role and a bamboo shoot role—are especially appealing.
Because you move your body while singing, it’s great for developing a sense of rhythm and cooperation.
It’s also used in early childhood education settings, and videos explaining how to play are available.
Sing and play energetically outdoors with family and friends, and you’re sure to enjoy the springtime mood even more.
Why not raise your voices together and feel the arrival of spring?
lazyboneswarabeuta
The children’s song passed down in Saga Prefecture features horsetail shoots as a theme, heralding the arrival of spring.
The lyrics, which sound as if they’re calling out to the horsetail peeking out from the soil, leave a strong impression.
There are many ways to enjoy it, such as swaying together as a parent and child or playing with cloth.
Reflecting the region’s culture, it’s a precious tradition that has been handed down across generations.
It also encourages contact with springtime nature and may help foster a sense of rhythm and language development.
It’s a lovely nursery rhyme that expresses the wish for children’s healthy growth.
[Warabe-uta] Beloved nostalgic songs passed down through generations (21–30)
horse (childish/affectionate term)Sakushi: Hayashi Ryūha / Sakkyoku: Matsushima Tsune
This piece portrays a foal walking clip-clop alongside its mother, set to a gentle rhythm.
Lyricist Yanaha Hayashi is said to have written the words based on the scene of a mare and foal he saw at the Imperial Stock Farm in Chiba, weaving the affection between animal mother and child in simple language.
Composer Tsune Matsushima aimed for a vocal range and phrasing that are easy for lower elementary grades to sing, and created accompaniment that is easy to play on keyboard or harmonica.
After being included in the February 1941 national school textbook “Uta no Hon, Upper,” it continued to be adopted in textbooks by various publishers after the war, and in 2007 it was selected for the “100 Best Japanese Songs.” It fits naturally into kindergarten and preschool choruses, and it’s easy to incorporate into fingerplay or instrumental ensembles.
If parents and children sing it together, they can have fun imitating the sound of hoofbeats.