Nostalgic Children’s Songs, Folk Songs, and Nursery Rhymes: The Heart of Japan Passed Down Through Song
When we hear the gentle melodies of nostalgic children’s songs, folk songs, and nursery rhymes, memories from our early childhood come vividly rushing back, as if we’ve crossed time and space.
Perhaps you, too, have a “song of nostalgia” that has stayed with you since you were young.
In this article, we introduce iconic Japanese children’s songs (shoka), folk songs and nursery rhymes cherished and passed down across the regions, as well as beloved tunes often featured in school performances and recreational activities.
Shall we set off on a heartwarming sonic journey into the world of children’s songs that softly reflect Japan’s seasons, culture, and everyday life?
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[Nostalgic Children's Songs, Folk Songs, and Nursery Rhymes] The Heart of Japan Passed Down in Song (41–50)
Mother’s Song
Given the times, this song might not even be sung anymore.
What is “yonabe” (working late into the night)? I think many people probably don’t know what it means, and this is a song about a mother who, despite working nonstop from morning till night and then staying up all night, knitted gloves for her child—gloves you could now get at a 100-yen shop.
Even if the content no longer fits the times, I want to believe a mother’s feelings remain unchanged as the ages pass.
[Nostalgic Children’s Songs, Folk Songs, and Nursery Rhymes] The Heart of Japan Passed Down in Song (51–60)
Seagull Sailor
I loved this cute song.
Later, sailor collars and other elements became a huge fashion trend, and they still exist today as sailor-style uniforms.
It was created in 1937, before the war, but this adorable song, which doesn’t evoke the atmosphere of war, was even included in textbooks after the war.
Cute fishmonger
These days you can get anything at the supermarket, but this song is about children imitating real life in their play, and it reminds me how, in the past, vendors would come around selling tofu and fish.
Naturally, there were no issues with reducing waste back then.
Fish was wrapped in newspaper, and everyone brought a pot to buy tofu.
The Sparrow School
It’s quite a famous children’s song, but I’m not sure whether kids today know it.
Maybe the number of sparrows has decreased recently—these days I see crows often, but I rarely see sparrows, which I used to spot every time I went out.
That said, the song was written before the war, so it’s become a rather unthinkable song now, with a sparrow teacher holding a whip and educating the chicks.
Come, firefly
A traditional children’s song that conveys the beauty of Japan’s nature to kids.
It depicts the glow of fireflies dancing in the summer night sky with a gentle melody and catchy calls.
The distinctive “ho-ho” refrain stands out, and it’s a song you can enjoy as a round.
Perfect for everyone to sing together during bon dances or cool summer evenings.
It’s a beloved piece across generations, from children to adults.
Why not spend some time feeling the changing seasons and touching the heart of Japan? Singing it with family and friends will make wonderful summer memories.
The gentle green breeze
What a nostalgic song.
When spring came, you could feel the rich green of nature with your whole body, and it brings back memories of a time when things like global warming and the aging, shrinking population still felt far away.
I think an attitude like Yuriko Koike’s—of reclaiming the green—is important.
Born during the high-growth era, I used to hum this song every early spring as if it were the most natural thing.
skiing
I don’t know if this song is widely known anymore, but it used to be included in school textbooks.
Back then, snowboarding didn’t exist, so winter sports were either skating or skiing.
The song celebrates the joy of skiing smoothly through a world of silver snow, and it was often used for parody lyrics.
It may be a bit rude to hardworking fathers, but I think children turned it into a parody about dads heading out to work early in the morning: carrying a lunchbox, wearing worn-out shoes—and the punchline was, “His head is 100 watts.”