Classic and standard Japanese songs celebrating mochi pounding

A Vocaloid producer who is also a music writerAraki Jakkan
I’ve worked in a variety of roles—regardless of pro or amateur settings—including live event PA, cameraman for video and photography, restaurant staff, and logistics center staff. I now spend my days as a part-time writer. I’ve contributed to music and manga websites with feature/review articles, and wrote the liner notes included as a bonus for 1st PLACE Inc.’s “IA SUPER BEST.” As for my music background, I started playing guitar in junior high and focused on band activities during my school years. For over 15 years since then, up to the present, I’ve continued releasing original tracks as a Vocaloid producer. My areas of expertise are Japanese rock, Vocaloid, and manga.

When you think of New Year’s or the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival, some people might picture mochi.

During the New Year, many households display kagami-mochi and have plenty of chances to eat mochi, and around moon-viewing season, there’s even the saying that rabbits are pounding mochi on the moon.

In this article, we’ll introduce a wide selection of songs related to mochi! From songs that sing about mochi, to hand-play songs themed around mochi pounding, and even folk songs about mochi that have long been rooted in local regions—we’ll cover it all.

Take this opportunity to give them a listen.

Classic and standard Japanese songs about rice-cake pounding (41–50)

Toshima Rice Cake Pounding Song

Toyoshima Mochi-Pounding Song (Ozawa Chizuki)

Toshima Rice Cake Pounding Song

The Toshima Mochitsuki Song is a folk song from Toshima Ward in Tokyo.

Around 1960, the folk singer Chigetsu Ozawa added lyrics to a song she had heard passed down from her wife’s grandmother, and it gradually spread—making it a very new work by folk-song standards.

It is also said to be a variant of “Neribushi” from the Ōmiya area of Saitama Prefecture.

The lyrics mention that, since there were no rice paddies in Toshima Ward at the time, they used glutinous rice from Mito, Owari, and Echigo.

This clearly shows how deeply folk songs were rooted in everyday life.

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Full Moon Night’s Mochi Poundingwarabeuta

“Jūgoya-san’s Mochi Pounding (with gestures) – ‘Jūgoya-san no Mochitsuki wa…’ [Japanese Song / Shōka]”

Full Moon Night's Mochi Poundingwarabeuta

Speaking of the fifteenth night, it’s the Harvest Moon, but I bet more people prefer the moon-viewing dumplings, right? (haha) “Jūgoya-san no Mochitsuki” is a traditional children’s song that cheerfully and lively sings about pounding mochi.

The lyrics use onomatopoeic sounds that mimic the rhythm of pounding, so it’s perfect for a hand-play song.

Once you get used to it, try speeding it up to raise the difficulty—it gets even more fun.

Give it a listen not only on the Harvest Moon night but also during the New Year season when we eat mochi.

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Daifuku OndoKāru Kitagawa · Sara

Karl Kitagawa, Sara “Daifuku Ondo” Lyric Video – Daifuku Man Dance ver.

Daifuku Ondo Kāru Kitagawa · Sara

Daifuku Ondo is a celebratory, feel-good song that’s sure to lift your spirits.

Sung by impressionist entertainers Carl Kitagawa and Sara, it features Daifuku Man, a hero from the land of wagashi (traditional Japanese sweets), who performs the song with dance in various places.

The lyrics energetically depict the scene of pounding mochi with all one’s might to make daifuku.

Not only will the power of mochi perk you up, but singing and dancing along to this song will surely boost your energy too! It’s a tune that both children and adults can enjoy.

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In conclusion

We’ve introduced a whole collection of songs related to mochi.

There were all kinds—from hand-play songs themed around mochi pounding to folk songs that have long taken root in various regions.

Hand-play songs in particular are great fun to sing and play with young children, so take this opportunity to give them a try!