[Japanese Children's Songs] Carefully selected timeless masterpieces loved across generations!
Japanese shoka—songs everyone has hummed at least once—include classics like “Furusato,” “Haru no Ogawa,” and “Momiji.” The nostalgic melodies we learned in music class or sang with friends in childhood stay with us no matter how much time passes.
These works, which sing of seasonal landscapes and everyday scenes, are filled with the sensibilities of the Japanese people.
In this article, we introduce a selection of shoka that have been sung across generations.
Just seeing the titles will make you want to start singing—be sure to check out these beloved Japanese classics.
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[Japanese Songs] Carefully Selected Masterpieces Loved Across Generations (61–70)
foal
It was published in 1910.
The first verse describes a foal carrying a person on its back and moving forward, while the second verse depicts it galloping.
The music is light and cheerful to express that scene.
Similarly, well-known songs that feature horses include “O-Uma” and “O-Uma no Oyako.”
Sing, Bam-Bam!
The song was created as the theme for a TV program broadcast in 1970, with lyrics by Hiroo Sakata and music by Naozumi Yamamoto.
It later spread as it was used in other programs as well.
Because it contains many sounds from the “a” row, it naturally encourages opening your mouth wide, making it a fun song to sing.
It gets even more exciting if you add handclaps to the rhythm while singing.
Choo-choo train
It conveys the joy of a steam locomotive steadily forging ahead in the days before the Shinkansen.
However, I’ve heard that when this piece was first created, it was about seeing off departing soldiers.
The thrill of speed and changing scenery, and a sense of hope.
Later on, the lyrics were changed to peaceful ones.
Urashima Taro
It was published in 1911.
It is a different song from “Urashima Tarō” that appeared in 1900 in Yōnen Shōka.
The lyrics tell the traditional tale of Urashima Tarō.
With its lively, pleasant rhythm, the piece has long been cherished alongside the story.
Blue-Eyed Doll
It is said to be a song about the first time American dolls appeared in Japan, meant to build friendship between Japan and the United States.
Do the lyrics, which depict the anxiety of coming to Japan and not understanding anything, also express, from a Japanese perspective, the bewilderment of not really understanding Americans?
A gentle green breezehibari jidō gasshōdan
It gives a refreshing and very bright feeling.
A soft, springtime scene comes to mind.
Whether you’re in a meadow or by a stream, whatever you’re doing, a sense of comfort comes through.
It was at the 70th anniversary concert of the Hibari Children’s Chorus; they’re adults now, but their singing voices are still beautiful.
Summer has comeZa · Pīnattsu
It seems the piece was created quite a long time ago, but since we’ve been singing it at school all along, it doesn’t feel dated.
That’s probably how much it has continued to be loved.
Summertime traditions flit through the lyrics, breezily announcing the season’s arrival.
The Peanutts’ song choice was unexpected.
The unadorned harmony is lovely.