Niigata’s folk songs, children’s songs, and nursery rhymes: the heart of our hometown passed down in song
Niigata Prefecture is known for hosting traditional Bon dances and festivals, as well as for its large area of rice cultivation and high yields.
We’ve selected many folk songs and children’s songs related to Niigata, including pieces themed around Sado Island.
Folk songs, which are often performed at festivals, convey a lively, festive atmosphere through their rhythmic sounds.
It’s also recommended to explore the background behind songs like “Sado Okesa,” which are beloved across Japan.
Be sure to listen to the folk and children’s songs that showcase the charm of each region of Niigata.
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Niigata folk songs, children's songs, and nursery rhymes: The heart of our hometown passed down in song (1–10)
Ryōtsu Jinku
Ryotsu Jinku is a folk song that vividly reflects the character of Niigata Prefecture.
Adorning the Bon Odori on Sado Island, this piece captivates listeners with rhythms and lyrics that offer glimpses of local scenery and everyday life.
The words in the song evoke picturesque landscapes that recall the charm of bygone days.
Stirring a deep sense of nostalgia, this work is truly a gem that Niigata can take pride in.
It’s a song I wholeheartedly recommend to anyone who wants to rediscover Niigata’s allure through folk music!
Niitsu Matsuzaka
Listening to Niitsu Matsuzaka, a song that conveys the spirit of Niigata, conjures up images of Japan’s original rural landscape.
It is said that this song was passed down by the Sengoku-era warlord Niitsu Tanba-no-kami Katsusuke to comfort his people, and it remains beloved in the local community today.
The lively notes sung over the flute’s rhythm evoke the energy of summer festivals.
And at the annual Matsuzaka-nagashi held every August, you can witness this tradition firsthand.
Why not experience the bonds of the community nurtured through dance and children’s songs for yourself as a listener? Niigata’s richly colored folk music is sure to warm your heart.
Echigo Funakata-bushi
Echigo Funakata-bushi paints heartwarming scenes of Niigata through sound.
This piece evokes a deep sense of nostalgia in listeners, as if the region’s rich nature and the rhythms of everyday life were seamlessly intertwined.
Cherished to this day, it strongly reflects the area’s culture and history.
Its rhythmic melody conjures images of Niigata’s abundant landscapes—the beat feels like a homeland for the heart.
It’s especially recommended when you want to feel a longing for home or the charm of your hometown, or if you’re interested in the vividly colored climate and character of Niigata Prefecture.
Folk songs, children’s songs, and nursery rhymes of Niigata: The heart of our hometown passed down in song (11–20)
Niitsu in Four SeasonsShimakura Chiyoko
Chiyoko Shimakura’s “Four Seasons of Niitsu,” imbued with the spirit of Niigata Prefecture, is a beautiful melody that feels as if it paints the very scenery of its hometown.
Its quiet yet powerful tune evokes the image of “Sado Okesa,” born in 1923 and still beloved by many today.
As listeners recall nostalgic landscapes, this song will cleanse the heart with the nature of Niigata and the kindness of its people.
Especially for those filled with hometown pride, it is sure to be a deeply moving piece!
Song of the Third-Floor (Sankai-bushi)Murakami-ke shimeka
This is Sankai-bushi, a Bon dance song handed down in the Kashiwazaki area of Niigata Prefecture.
Around 1828 (the 11th year of the Bunsei era), Yasshome-bushi, which was popular in the three major cities, was brought to Kashiwazaki.
Because each verse is sung three times, it came to be called “Sankai-bushi” (literally, “three-times song”), and the characters were applied accordingly.
It was later adopted into the entertainment quarters and evolved into a parlor song.
Nanaura Jinku
The Niigata Sado Island song “Nanaura Jinku,” which weaves together the spirit of the region, is distinguished by its beautiful lyrics that, while down-to-earth, celebrate the fresh vitality of nature and everyday local life.
Through this piece, listeners can sense the offshore lights floating on the sea and the area’s unique climate and culture.
Its emotionally rich melody and lyrics that color the lives of Sado’s residents continue to be cherished by many.
Let yourself be carried by its regionally flavored rhythm, and you’ll feel a surge of excitement as if joining a festival circle.
Brimming with local pride, this work is a perfect song for listeners who want to rediscover the charms of Niigata.
Izumozaki O-kesa
Izumozaki Okesa was sung by courtesans entertaining sailors at drinking gatherings.
Izumozaki, the birthplace of Ryōkan, a Sōtō Zen monk from the late Edo period, once prospered alongside Teradomari as a port for crossing to Sado, and it is said to have been sung during that time.