Japanese ondō: a seasonal tradition everyone can enjoy.

Tiny Middle-Aged Man OndoMatsumoto Takahiro, Chicchai Ossan

Little Old Man Ondo ♪

It’s a song you can enjoy dancing to together with the uniquely quirky Hyogo local character “Chicchai Ossan.” By the way, he’s said to be from Amagasaki City.

This is the first Bon Odori song released under the Chicchai Ossan name.

Apparently, it came about in response to numerous requests from children.

Gōshū OndoSakuragawa Yoisamaru

Goshu Ondo, the moving/animated Sakuragawa Yui-maru—how blessed, how grateful.

It is a Bon Odori song handed down in the Kinki region.

The lyrics and melodic phrasing vary by area and school, so it’s hard to say which version is the most famous, but Yui-maru Sakuragawa, who performed the traditional Goshu Ondo set to funk music, is well known.

You can sense Buddhist elements—such as nenbutsu and saimon—that are thought to be the roots of ondo.

Kawachi OndoKawachiya Kikusuimaru

Kawachi Ondo, Kiku-Sumimaru of the Kawachi Family 3-1

Kawachi Ondo is a traditional folksong style originating from the Kita-Nakakawachi area in Osaka Prefecture.

As you’d expect from Osaka, it has quite an upbeat, lively tempo.

You often see it performed by Kikusui-maru of the Kawachi family in particular.

When it comes to Kawachi Ondo, it’s Kikusui-maru—rock-solid vocals.

GeGeGe no Kitaro Nainai OndoKumakura Kazuo, Hibari Jidō Gasshōdan

Nainai Ondo (GeGeGe no Kitaro)

The lyrics were written by the late Shigeru Mizuki, creator of GeGeGe no Kitaro, and the music was composed by Taku Izumi.

It was released by King Records in 1968.

A distinctive feature is the light, lilting way it sings about what Kitaro, Medama-oyaji, and Nezumi Otoko don’t have, with a playful “nai nai” refrain.

Dokonjō Gaeru OndoIshikawa Susumu, Arakawa Shounen Shoujo Gasshoutai

Gutsy Frog Ondo

This is the bon-odori-style song from the popular comic The Gutsy Frog (Dokonjō Gaeru), which was serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump in the 1970s.

The vocals are performed by Susumu Ishikawa and the Arakawa Boys and Girls Choir.

In addition, Sachiko Chijimatsu, the voice actor for Pyonkichi, also participates as the MC.

Gamagori OndoAkasaka Koume, Tsuruta Rokurou

Gamagori Ondo

In 1933, the Gamagori Scenic Preservation Society (the predecessor of today’s Gamagori City Tourism Association) took the lead in producing a record.

It was released by Victor Records in December 1934, and a reissue came out in 1990.

This is a local Ondo folk song from Gamagori, a city in the Higashi-Mikawa region in the southeastern part of Aichi Prefecture.

Akita OndoTakahashi Manami

Akita Ondo

Akita Ondo is a folk song from Akita Prefecture.

It is said to have taken shape in 1663 when it was performed before Satake Yoshitaka, the lord of the Kubota Domain.

In earlier times it was simply called “Ondo,” and it is said to have been given the name “Akita Ondo” around the beginning of the Meiji period.

Aside from the opening call, it has little melody; instead, much like rap, the lyrics are delivered to a rhythm based on a 7-7-9 pattern.