Folk songs, children’s songs, and nursery rhymes of Kumamoto: the enduring spirit of our hometown passed down through song.
Kumamoto has served as the setting for folk songs and children’s songs known throughout Japan, such as Otemoyan and Itsuki no Komoriuta.
These works vividly portray the grandeur of Aso’s natural landscape, the majestic figure of Kumamoto Castle, and the rhythms of everyday life.
From Taharabanzaka, which conveys the sorrow of the Satsuma Rebellion, to Higo Kome Ondo, which celebrates a bountiful harvest, each folk song passed down through the generations is deeply etched with Kumamoto’s history and culture.
In this article, we have gathered folk songs, children’s songs, and nursery rhymes from Kumamoto, imbued with love for the homeland and the joys of daily life.
Let us lend an ear to the world of song where the spirit of Kumamoto resides.
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Kumamoto folk songs, children's songs, and nursery rhymes: The heart of our hometown passed down through song (21–30)
Rhapsody on the Kumamoto Folk Songs Yoheho-bushi and Itsuki LullabyOkuda Tasuku
Rooted in two folk songs that embody the spirit of Kumamoto, this work beautifully weaves the resonance of the shamisen with the melodies of the violin.
The refined sensibility of Japanese tradition and the expressive power of Western music are harmoniously balanced, stirring feelings of nostalgia and a deep, prayer-like emotion in listeners.
Commissioned by Kioi Hall and premiered around 2017, a passionate performance video by violinist Fuminori Shinozaki and nagauta shamisen performer Choryuro Imafuji remains available.
Perfect for those who wish to connect with the primal landscapes of Kumamoto or seek a fresh musical experience that fuses East and West.
Why not take your time and immerse yourself in its world?
Amakusa Haiya-bushi
This is the folk song “Amakusa Haiya-bushi,” handed down in Kumamoto Prefecture.
It was sung by sailors as a drinking song.
The reason there are various versions of “Haiya-bushi” across the country is that sailors brought it to port towns here and there.
The “Amakusa Haiya-bushi” has also been passed down with lyrics and accompaniment adapted to this region.
Kikuchi River Rafting SongHamazaki Kuniho
Kikuchi River Ikadanagashi-uta is a newly composed folk song from Kumamoto Prefecture, written and composed by Seiryu Iwanaga.
It is said that he created the song based on old tales he heard from an angler and stories from a boatman.
Thinking that even the folk songs we have today may have been created by people like Iwanaga, who wished to pass down the history of their homeland, is deeply moving.
Nagasu Bridal Song
The Kumamoto folk song “Nagasu Yomeiri Uta,” also known as “Nonshikora,” is better known nationwide by the latter name.
Passed down since the mid-Edo period, the song was originally called “Higo no Yomeiri Uta” and has been sung particularly along the Ariake Sea coast in Kumamoto Prefecture.
Hang in there, Kumamoto!Hayashida Kenji
An anthem born from the heartfelt wish for recovery after the Kumamoto earthquakes, bringing together the hopes of many.
Kenji Hayashida carefully transformed the real voices and earnest wishes of those affected into lyrics, creating this work together with the people of Kumamoto.
As symbolized by the Kumamoto dialect word meaning “hang in there,” it carries a warm yet powerful message of encouragement that speaks directly to the listener’s heart.
Included on the mini-album “Minna no Oto-gasane” released in January 2017, the song is deeply connected to support for the disaster-stricken areas, including Kumamoto Castle.
Enriched by the pure voices of the NHK Kumamoto Children’s Choir, it powerfully conveys undying love for one’s hometown and the bonds of people facing hardship.
It’s a song that gently stays by your side when your heart is about to break or when you long for human warmth, giving you a push toward tomorrow.
Kinyamonya
A cheerful children’s song that has been passed down in Kumamoto since long ago.
Its charm lies in the rhythmic, playful sounds that make speaking it aloud feel like a game in itself.
This piece has been lovingly handed down from generation to generation across the prefecture, starting with Kumamoto City.
In places where children gather and at local festivals, it has likely taken root in people’s hearts as a lively call that brightens the atmosphere.
Don’t overthink it—just surrender to the joy of the sounds and hum along, and a smile will naturally appear.
It’s a song that lets you feel the warm spirit of Kumamoto and the cheerful hearts of the people who live there.
Chiyu-chiyuke (Earth-stamping Song)
This piece makes you feel as if you’re parading through Kumamoto’s castle town—lively and full of fun.
The lyrics skillfully weave in the Kumamoto dialect, vividly depicting scenes from the region.
Accompanied by the timbre of the shamisen, you can sense the warmth and spirit of the local people and the vibrancy of their daily lives.
Cherished as a teaching piece for Nihon buyo (Japanese dance), it’s perfect for moments when you want to reflect on Kumamoto’s history and culture or when you’re in the mood for bright, uplifting traditional music.
Performed at a Japanese dance recital, it would surely envelop the entire venue in a festive atmosphere and bring smiles to the audience.