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.
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Song of the Maple Leaves. An autumn children’s song/nursery rhyme/folk song
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.
fluttering maple leavesboku to kimi.
A hand-play song that nurtures children’s imagination! Maple leaves ride the wind and dance, and each time they stick to different parts of the body, the children transform into a rabbit, a crocodile, or a duck.
Released in September 2017, this song was written, composed, and choreographed by Boku to Kimi, and is widely used for young children.
Set to a gentle, soothing melody, it’s fun to enjoy with the whole body.
Let kids feel the autumn season and experience the joy of becoming animals—making it a perfect song for seasonal events at preschools and kindergartens.
bright red maple leavessaku-shi sakkyoku: Fujimoto Chika
“Bright Red Maple Leaves” evokes the image of crimson-tinted maple leaves fluttering down.
The lyrics include a cute depiction that likens a maple leaf to a baby’s hand.
When the leaves are falling, try expressing the fluttering motion by ringing bells or other instruments, or play by gently tossing up pieces of construction paper cut into maple-leaf shapes.
In the second verse, ginkgo leaves appear, and it sings about comparing a baby’s bottom to a ginkgo leaf.
Enjoy singing while appreciating both autumn colors—maple and ginkgo.
maple leavesSakushi: Takano Tatsuyuki / Sakkyoku: Okano Teiichi
A celebrated song that vividly and emotionally extols the beauty of autumn foliage.
The lyrics by Tatsuyuki Takano and the music by Teiichi Okano harmonize beautifully to paint a striking picture of the autumn landscape.
Since its release in 1911, this piece has continued to be cherished by many.
Adopted in elementary school music textbooks from 1951, it is also well loved as a choral work.
As the season heralds the arrival of autumn, why not enjoy singing it together with family and friends? It is a heartwarming piece that helps you rediscover the beauty of Japan’s four seasons.
In conclusion
I introduced some songs about maple leaves.
Did you find the maple-leaf song you were looking for? Songs that sing about beautifully crimson-dyed maples bring autumn’s foliage scenes to mind just by listening.
Some maple songs for young children are play-along tunes, so try enjoying them while feeling the autumn season.