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.
Shinonome-bushi
Said to have originated in Kumamoto toward the end of the Meiji era, this piece carries the heartfelt cries of people striving earnestly amid great social upheaval.
The lyrics mention specific place names and convey both the strength of women who sought freedom even in hardship and a vein of satirical expression.
Sung and passed down by many performers—such as Terukiku, Asakusa Yumeko, and Wada Hiroshi and the Mahina Stars—this song may inspire the courage to persevere by letting you feel the spirit of those who endured adversity.
Fire Country Ondo
A song packed with lyrics that celebrate the nature of Aso, the fiery excitement of the Land of Fire Festival, and a deep affection for one’s hometown, along with the lively spirit of the festivities.
The rhythm and chants invite clapping hands and stomping feet, bringing smiles to listeners and drawing them into the dance circle.
Although this work has no tie-ins such as TV commercials, it is cherished in local cultural events and has been performed at occasions like the Kumamoto Prefecture Special Achievement Award ceremony.
It is one of Kumamoto’s beloved local songs.
Perfect for anyone who wants to experience Kumamoto’s climate and culture or soak up a festive mood.
It’s also recommended for lively gatherings where everyone can have fun while thinking of their hometown.
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.
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.