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!
- Numbers Song: A fun nursery rhyme and fingerplay song to sing and learn with children
- [Hand Play] Popular with kids! A collection of trendy hand-play songs and nostalgic traditional children’s songs
- [Warabe-uta] Beloved Classic Songs Passed Down Through Generations
- A song themed around the Japanese vowels (a, i, u, e, o)
- Snake Song: Children's song, nursery rhyme, and hand-play song
- A seemingly scary nursery rhyme: a children’s song that gives you the chills when you hear it
- [February Songs] Introducing children's songs, folk songs, nursery rhymes, and hand-play songs about Setsubun and winter!
- Parody Versions of the Children's Song “Oshōgatsu” | Hilarious and Not-So-Hilarious!? Check Out the Shocking Lyrics!
- Collection of winter nursery rhymes, folk songs, and children's songs. Includes fun winter hand-play songs too.
- [Parenting] Parent-child bonding! Hand-play songs and traditional nursery rhymes collection
- 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 temari songs and children's songs (31–40)
Counting Song of HappinessTokoro Jōji
Included on the 1997 album “20th Anniversary Canniversary.” Though it turns everyday happiness into a counting song, it’s relentlessly light and up-tempo, sometimes speaking of “happiness” with an almost excessive nonchalance.
One of Tokoro’s hidden gems.
Uchinaaguchi Counting Song: Big Okinawaaimoko
A married musician duo based mainly in Okinawa, Aimoco (Airo Kochihira and Tomoko Hasegawa), perform a counting song in the Okinawan dialect.
Locally, footage of people dancing to the song has been broadcast on TV, and on YouTube, numerous videos have been posted of children imitating the dance.
Wktk Counting SongNakano Fujo Shisutāzu
Nakano Fujoshi Sisters is an idol unit formed in 2006, produced by the entertainer Hanawa.
Their catchphrase is “Otaku-style idols born in Nakano.” The otaku-flavored counting song that matches this concept features lyrics written by producer Hanawa.
In conclusion
As mentioned at the beginning, counting songs are tunes most people have heard somewhere, even if they don’t actually know the titles or origins, and for Japanese people they can evoke a feeling like returning to one’s spiritual hometown.
As introduced in this article, there are also many anime songs that make use of the unique qualities of counting songs.
I hope this has given you an opportunity to rediscover the deep appeal of counting songs!