Folk songs, children’s songs, and nursery rhymes of Osaka: the enduring spirit of our hometown carried on in song
In this article, we feature folk songs and children’s songs related to Osaka!Osaka has long been a key hub of logistics, situated at the confluence of busy sea routes and rivers.Because of that, Osaka’s folk repertoire includes pieces like the Yodogawa boat songs that evoke its deep history.At the same time, there are newer tunes that symbolize contemporary Osaka, such as the Harukas Ondo inspired by Abeno Harukas.Listen to the folk and children’s songs of Osaka—once called the “nation’s kitchen”—and immerse yourself in its long, rich history!
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Osaka’s folk songs, children’s songs, and nursery rhymes: The heart of our hometown passed down through song (1–10)
Gosha Dance
A celebratory local chant that has been handed down at Hine Shrine in Izumisano City, Osaka Prefecture.
Its origins lie in the travel songs popular during pilgrimages to Ise in the Edo period.
In 1965, its name was chosen through public submissions from parishioners, and it was dedicated along with choreography.
It is characterized by an energetic style where drum rhythms and spirited calls blend as one.
Carefully preserved by the hands of local residents, it is truly a song imbued with the heart of their hometown.
Why not experience the fervor of Osaka’s festivals and the warm prayers of its people?
Katano-bushi
This is a traditional Bon Odori song from the Kawachi region, believed to have originated in the mid-Edo period.
It is also known as a root of the Kawachi Ondo.
Each locality has passed it down with slight variations in melody and dance, and its simple, rustic tone may evoke images of one’s hometown.
In October 2018, a recording titled “Katano-bushi ~ Ishikawa Goemon ~,” arranged with orchestral accompaniment, was released.
Furthermore, in 2025, as part of a project related to the Osaka-Kansai Expo, an up-tempo arrangement of this piece aimed at younger listeners was introduced.
It is a fascinating track that lets you experience both traditional timbres and contemporary arrangements.
Sano’s seduction
A richly narrative bon-odori song handed down since the Edo period in Izumisano City, Osaka Prefecture.
Its lilting 7-5 rhythm, delivered in a conversational style over shamisen and drum beats, resonates deeply.
It’s the kind of piece that makes you feel as if you’re watching a grand historical scroll unfold.
Highly regarded for its cultural value, it has been recognized as a component cultural property of Japan Heritage.
Why not give it a listen when you want to reflect on Osaka’s history and the lives of its people?
Osaka folk songs, children's songs, and nursery rhymes: The heart of our hometown passed down through song (11–20)
Makio Mountain Nobori-raising Ondo
One of the folk songs born in Izumi City, Osaka Prefecture, in the early Meiji period.
It is said to have begun as a travelers’ song sung while walking, with people raising banners during the public unveiling of sacred images at Makiōzan Temple.
A lively call-and-response overlays the cheerful Ise-ondo–style rhythm, conjuring up the bustling scene of a pilgrim procession.
The lyrics weave in local specialties like oranges, along with the scenery and atmosphere of the time, expressing affection for the region amid the merriment.
It may be the perfect piece when you want to attune your ears to Osaka’s long history and the prayers of the people who lived there.
Yokoyama Ondo
This is a bon odori song cherished in Kumatori Town.
Incorporating elements of joruri narrative music and kabuki, its lyrics weave in stories of pilgrims’ journeys and partings, evoking the lives of people in days gone by.
Over time, this ondo has evolved into a more danceable tempo—for example, tradition-bearer Kazuyoshi Kawai introduced the lively phrasing of the “Kawachi Ondo.” Perhaps its charm lies in the warm-hearted wish to let many people enjoy it while preserving tradition.
Kashii-san and dance
This is a passionate bon-odori song that has been lovingly passed down in Izumisano City, Osaka Prefecture.
To the powerful rhythm of drums resounding from atop the yagura, dancers repeat short phrases and dance through the night.
It is said to have originally been performed to lift the spirits of soldiers wounded in the Battle of Kashii during the Summer Siege of Osaka.
You can feel in the music the festival’s fervor that connects generations and a deep love for one’s hometown.
It is designated as an Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Izumisano City.
Kaizuka San’ya Ondo
This dance song, passed down in the Senshu region since ancient times, is a traditional performing art that truly embodies the spirit of the community.
Its origins are said to date back to 1583, when people danced for three days and nights to celebrate the birth of a new stronghold.
With short verses and lively chants layered one upon another, this work lifts the listener’s heart.
Don’t you feel that each sung phrase carries the joy of our forebears and their hopes for the future? Designated an Intangible Folk Cultural Property of the city in February 1998, it has been carefully preserved as a regional treasure to this day.
Just imagining people dancing in a circle while the drums resound with the distinctive chong-gake rhythm is enough to make one’s heart swell.