[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 (41–50)
The rice cracker is done.
This is a children’s song where beanbags are imagined as rice crackers.
Beanbags are familiar to older generations, but kids of the 2000s might not know them well.
It could be refreshing to put down your smartphone or computer once in a while and try playing with beanbags.
The song is simple and easy to learn, so even small children can enjoy it.
It might also be nice for parents and children to make beanbags together to play along with the song.
When playing outside, you can substitute leaves or stones for beanbags.
It’s easy to enjoy, so give it a try.
Sunset glow and dusk
“Yuyake Koyake” is a familiar tune often heard in the 5 p.m.
chimes or announcements at parks, schools, and community centers.
The fact that this song makes you feel it’s time to head home is proof of how long it’s been loved.
Its short lyrics are part of the charm—easy to remember and easy to sing.
And the second verse, which you rarely hear outside of elementary school classes, might already feel nostalgic.
If you listen to it again after a long time, it may bring back memories from those days and let you bask in that sense of nostalgia.
yomogi-jōbu nowarabeuta
An old traditional children’s song.
From the lyrics that mention plants like iris and mugwort, you can sense how people once lived in harmony with abundant nature.
The verses depicting children playfully slapping each other’s bottoms are simple yet heartwarming.
Through this song, we can share with children the playful spirit of the past and the joy of interacting with nature.
How about forming a circle and singing together while playing in a spring meadow? It’s sure to become a cherished memory.
pine coneSakushi: Hirota Takao / Sakkyoku: Kobayashi Tsuyae
This is an autumn children’s song that depicts a charming scene: a pine cone tumbles down a high mountain, and a little monkey picks it up and eats it.
The lyrics were written in 1936 by Takao Hirota, who was a first-grade elementary school student at the time, and the music was composed by Tsyae Kobayashi, a music teacher.
From the late 1950s to the 1960s, the song was included on King Records’ album “Songs for Kindergarten.” With just a single, simple, and easy-to-remember verse, it has long been loved as a seasonal song in nurseries and kindergartens.
It’s also recommended to add simple choreography and enjoy it as a hand-play song! Singing while moving your body will bring back fond memories of childhood fun playing in autumn nature.
Please let me pass.warabeuta
This is a traditional Japanese children’s song handed down since the Edo period, said to have been sung along the approach to Kawasaki Daishi Temple in Kawasaki City, Kanagawa.
In a game beloved by children, two players take the role of ogres, join hands to form a gate, and everyone slips through while singing.
The lyrics include the act of offering talismans for the seven celebratory milestones of childhood and convey a sense of awe toward a sacred place.
For those who remember gathering to play it in their neighborhood when they were young, or who know the melody from pedestrian crossing signals, it is a song that can be sung with a warm sense of nostalgia.
This year’s peonies
“Kotoshi no Botan” is a song that most Japanese people have probably heard at least once.
Even if the title doesn’t ring a bell, many will recognize it once they hear the melody.
If you’re an adult thinking, “What was that song again?”, give it a listen—you’ll likely feel a wave of childhood nostalgia.
It’s also a short song, so even young children can learn it quickly.
It might be nice to sing it in kindergarten or elementary school.
It’s also recommended for parents and children to sing together, since it’s something you can enjoy as a family.
Tanuki of Fist Mountain
I think most of you have heard this song at least once.
Some people may know just the song, while others know the dance moves as well.
You play rock-paper-scissors at the end of the song, which gives it a fun, game-like feel.
It’s perfect for playing with friends in kindergarten or elementary school.
Adults can also give it a try and feel like kids again! It’s great to do together with your children, too.
The choreography follows the lyrics, so it’s easy to learn and simple.
Give it a try!
In conclusion
So many nostalgic nursery rhymes. Each one has its own story, and you can see how they’ve continued to be loved across generations. These songs are a precious cultural heritage that everyone can feel close to, no matter their age. Sing them with your family and friends, and you’re sure to create wonderful memories.