Japanese counting songs: nostalgic temari (handball) songs and children’s folk songs
A “counting song” is, literally, a song or poem (including waka) about counting.
In Japan, they have long been beloved, and there are many famous tunes that everyone—young and old—has heard at least once, such as in children’s songs.
This article spotlights “counting songs,” which are important to Japanese people, introducing a variety of types—from well-known classics that everyone knows to anime songs and popular tunes that follow the counting-song format.
Enjoy them with children, use them as background music for playtime—please experience the charm of counting songs!
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- Collection of winter nursery rhymes, folk songs, and children's songs. Includes fun winter hand-play songs too.
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- A song that makes learning the times tables fun
- Lullabies: children's songs, folk songs, and nursery rhymes. Nostalgic songs for putting children to sleep.
- Nostalgic Children’s Songs, Folk Songs, and Nursery Rhymes: The Heart of Japan Passed Down Through Song
Japanese counting songs: Nostalgic handball and children's songs (21–30)
Cadet School Counting Songkaigun heigakkou
A counting song with lyrics about military life that was reportedly sung among students at the Imperial Japanese Naval Academy in Etajima, Hiroshima Prefecture during the war.
The melody is the same as that of songs like “University Counting Song.” In the prewar Shōwa era, it was common for such traditional songs to be created, especially within the military.
The Bald SongHatsune Miku
When you think about it, this song with lyrics focused on baldness is actually a counting song.
It’s a prime example of a folk song that, before anyone realized, became known throughout Japan.
In the first half of the video it’s like a children’s chant without a melody, and in the second half it turns into a parody of “Guntai Kouta (Hontoni Hontoni Gokurousan).”
rivalry between a weasel and a raccoon dogKurihara Masami
First aired in 2010 on NHK Educational TV’s “PythagoraSwitch.” The lyrics are clever enough to impress adults: you remove the syllable “ta” from “itachi” (weasel) to get “ichi” (one), and continue the pattern up to ten.
Its wordplay, in the tradition of “Ippon demo Ninjin,” has been well received by fans of the show.
The Irresponsible Counting SongUeki Hitoshi
The B-side of “Shut Up and Follow Me,” released in 1964 during Hitoshi Ueki’s heyday.
It’s the theme song for the Toho film ‘Hora-buki Taikōki’ (The Boastful Chronicle of the Regent).
Although it’s called a “counting song,” the way it casually skips ‘5, 6, 7’ in the lyrics is a charming touch by the lyricist, Yukio Aoshima.
Counting song of partingKatō Tokiko
This is a track from “Hitori in Me,” an album released in 1970 by Tokiko Kato, a pioneering Japanese female singer-songwriter.
Its poetic lyrics, imbued with the melancholy of a wanderer, exude a distinctly 1970s vibe.
Incidentally, Kato released the classic “Shiretoko Ryojo” the following year.
Multiply by one, multiply by twoHello at the theater troupe
A traditional children’s song said to have originated about 100 years ago, in the early Taisho period.
Only the opening section involves counting numbers to the melody, but children in the past treated it as a kind of counting song and enjoyed it as a companion to their games.
There are parody versions across the country.
Uwajima Counting SongYoshiyama Miki & Daba Misa
A local song from Uwajima City in Ehime Prefecture.
This Shikoku city, once called “Nanyo,” is famous for bullfighting and mandarins.
Although it’s called a counting song, only three numbers appear.
The three specialties—festivals, beauties, and mandarins—are presented in an evocative, beautiful voice.