Song of the Maple Leaves. An autumn children’s song/nursery rhyme/folk song
Speaking of autumn, it’s the season of fall foliage.
Many of you have probably visited a foliage spot at least once and lost track of time in its beauty.
In this article, we’ll introduce songs that celebrate the maple leaves (momiji), which could be called the stars of autumn colors.
When it comes to songs about momiji, the well-known one is the children’s song “Momiji,” with lyrics by Tatsuyuki Takano and music by Teiichi Okano, but there are other songs about momiji as well.
Some are even children’s songs you can sing along to with hand motions.
Please enjoy them as songs of the autumn season.
Song of the Maple Leaves. An autumn children’s song/nursery rhyme/folk song
maple leavesSakushi: Yoshimura Tetsuzō / Sakkyoku: Fushō
A charming song, “Momiji,” overlays the shape of a maple leaf with a baby’s hand.
The lyrics were written by Tetsuzo Komura, who was active as a children’s song lyricist and a Nihonga painter.
People often compare a baby’s open, splayed hand to a maple leaf, and this song turns that very comparison into its lyrics.
The gently expressive words offer a pleasant feeling that matches the refreshing autumn breeze.
It has a different flavor from “Momiji” with lyrics by Tatsuyuki Takano, so please enjoy this “Momiji” as well.
You know, Aki is…Sakushi: Morichiyoko/Shokyokusha: SHIKAMON
This is the “Song of the Month” for September 2004 from the NHK program Okaasan to Issho.
It was sung by Yuzo Imai and Shoko Haida, who were the singing big brother and big sister at the time.
The lyrics, from a child’s perspective, describe the colors of autumn, autumn foods, and scenes that evoke the season.
The song captures the fun of autumn through a child’s eyes and the warmth of time spent with family, and combined with its soothing melody, it brings a real sense of calm.
It’s a highly recommended track to enjoy with the whole family.
Bright Red Autumnsakushi: satsuma tadashi / sakkyoku: kobayashi hideo
It is one of the autumn children’s songs first premiered on NHK’s “Tanoshii Uta.” Created by Mr.
Chu Satsuma and Mr.
Hideo Kobayashi, this song has been loved by many since it was broadcast in October 1963.
The lyrics, which sing of autumn’s red scenery, depict the beauty of nature from a child’s perspective.
You can feel the joy of searching for red things that appear one after another—like ivy, maple leaves, and snake gourds.
The image of children bathed in the setting sun is also striking.
It’s a perfect song for when you want to feel the changing seasons or enjoy an autumn walk with children.
A heartwarming autumn classic that was also broadcast on “Minna no Uta.”
Waltz of the Maple Leavessakushi: kudou naoko / sakkyoku: zuekiran naoko
It’s a charming song that conjures up images of maple leaves twirling and dancing in the wind.
The world that poet Naoko Kudo depicts, with personified maple leaves, is truly wonderful.
Its calm, warm melody gently cradles the poetic sentiment.
This piece is included in the choral collection “Giniro Jikan” and is loved in many settings, such as being performed in children’s song contests.
It would be lovely to hum it while sitting on a park bench on an autumn day, or to sing it together with family and friends.
a maple leafSakushi sakkyoku: Sasaki Nobutsuna
This is a charming children’s song written and composed by Nobutsuna Sasaki.
It depicts a heartwarming scene that brings to mind a child delighting in comparing fluttering, falling leaves with their own hands.
Its gentle melody makes it easy for children to sing, and the lyrics are filled with words that warm the heart.
It’s perfect not only for singing in preschools and kindergartens, but also for humming along with your child on an autumn stroll.
Be sure to sing together and enjoy the colors of the season.
Momi-momi Momijiboku to kimi.
This is a fingerplay song about bright red maple leaves that color the autumn.
When you walk under a maple tree, sometimes the leaves fall onto your head, right? This song is about gently kneading and rubbing the maple leaves that land and stick on your body—like your head or cheeks.
The choreography is super simple: just touch with your hands and actually do the “mo-mi mo-mi” rubbing motion.
If you stick real maple leaves on and play together with friends, the fun doubles!
Leaf, pa-pa!
This work features a bright, upbeat rhythm that lets children have fun while moving their bodies.
Centered on the theme of “leaves,” its lyrics evoke the joy of being in nature and the changing seasons, stimulating children’s imagination and teaching them the fun of engaging with the natural world.
It’s also interesting that it includes tidbits of knowledge, like the origin of the name irohamomiji (Japanese maple).
Captivating many viewers on YouTube, this piece is highly regarded among nursery and kindergarten teachers as an effective hand-play song for learning rhythm and body coordination.