The many folk songs that live on in Miyagi Prefecture are sonic treasures that vividly reflect Tohoku’s culture and the lives of its people.
From mountain songs set against majestic peaks to fishermen’s songs praising the bounty of the sea, the rich voices born from the land and people’s way of life can still be heard across the region.
This article brings together folk songs from Miyagi, centered around Sendai.
Why not lend an ear to the gentle melodies imbued with the feelings of our forebears—melodies that evoke the changing seasons, the bustle of festivals, and the joys of farm work?
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- Beautiful Folk Songs Passed Down in Miyagi Prefecture: A Collection of Masterpieces that Play the Heart of the Hometown
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Beautiful Folk Songs Handed Down in Miyagi Prefecture: A Collection of Masterpieces That Play the Heart of the Hometown (1–10)
Miyagi Bakuro-bushi
This is a labor song from Miyagi that vividly depicts a horse dealer leading his horse along a night road and the nostalgia dwelling in his heart.
Set to a plaintive melody, it features an emotionally rich phrasing that conveys the hardships of a long, harsh journey and a yearning for home—an impressive piece.
It can also be heard on the acclaimed album “Miyagi Folk Song Collection,” released in September 2013.
This work paints scenes that resonate deeply with listeners.
When you want to reflect on the grandeur of Tohoku’s natural landscapes and the lives of the people who lived there with strength, why not take the time to listen closely?
Sansa ShigureYoshizawa Hiroshi
Sansa Shigure is a folk song widely cherished mainly in Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture, as well as in Mizusawa City in Iwate Prefecture, the eastern part of Yamagata Prefecture, and from Soma City to the Aizu region in Fukushima Prefecture.
It is regarded as one of the most refined songs among Japanese folk music.
According to tradition, it originated when Date Masamune adapted a poem by Watari Goro Shigemune of the Date clan—“Without a sound, the night’s drizzle comes over the thatch fields, falling ‘sansa’ upon my sleeves”—into the song Sansa Shigure and had his soldiers sing it.
Millstone Grinding Song
This is a work song from the Senhoku region in northern Miyagi Prefecture, conveying both the harshness of farm labor and the breath of the people who lived it.
Born from the backbreaking task of hulling rice, the song proclaims a universal truth: even when a job may look easy at first glance, every kind of work comes with hardship.
Its powerful melodic turns evoke the image of our forebears silently facing grueling labor.
Simple yet deeply moving, the tune reminds us of the dignity of everyday life.
Why not listen to it when you want to connect with the unpretentious spirit of the people rooted in their homeland?
Shiogama Obara-bushi
It’s a piece that seems to carry the bustle of a port town and the cheerful laughter of people gathered at a feast.
What began as a work song born in salt making and sake brewing eventually transformed into a lively tune beloved by the people.
Its evolution from short poetic forms to a narrative, kudoki-style delivery is one of those deeply fascinating aspects unique to folk music.
This work, accompanied by the powerful tones of the Tsugaru shamisen, is a masterpiece that conveys the breath of our forebears to the present day.
As you let your thoughts wander to the rich natural and cultural landscape of Tohoku, why not take your time and listen closely to its simple, warming melody?
Great Haul Chant
This is one of Miyagi’s signature folk songs, known for its spirited calls and powerful vocals that seem to resonate through the earth.
The lyrics proudly sing of local landmarks such as Matsushima and Ishinomaki, conveying both the joy of people who live with the bounty of the sea and a deep affection for their homeland.
It was familiar to many as the arrival chime at JR Tohoku Shinkansen’s Sendai Station until 1991, and the band NeoBallad has also created a modern arrangement titled “Tairyo Utaikomi ~Saitaro-bushi~.” You can enjoy it in many ways—by joining voices with friends to feel a sense of unity, or by letting it evoke the majestic landscapes of Miyagi.
Weeding Song of Miyagita
This song, born from people encouraging each other through the grueling task of weeding rice fields, carries the earthy scent of Miyagi.
You can feel the resilience and warmth of those who tried to brighten the monotonous, back-bending work through the power of song.
Over the years, it has been passed down not only by locals but also by various folk singers.
Why not listen to this simple melody—one that has accompanied people’s lives—while picturing the tranquil rural landscapes of Miyagi? If you play it when you’re working hard at something, it will surely give you a gentle push forward.
Sendai Yoshiko’s
It’s a folk song that brings to mind the tranquil landscapes of Miyagi Prefecture and the warm-hearted people who live there.
The simple tones of the shamisen and shakuhachi evoke scenes of the region—the majestic mountains and the bounty of the sea.
This piece has been recorded multiple times by master folk musicians and has been lovingly passed down through the present day.
It’s perfect for moments when you’re thinking of your hometown or want to immerse yourself in traditional Japanese sounds.
The gentle vocals, imbued with the labors and joys of our predecessors, seem to slowly seep into the heart.