[Sky-Themed Nursery Rhymes and Songs] Children’s Songs Loved Across Generations

Desert of the MoonSasaki Suguru

Desert of the Moon

Originally published in 1923, “Tsuki no Sabaku” (Desert Moon) was broadcast on the radio in 1927, later recorded, and came to be widely known as a children’s song.

Its lyrical lyrics and melody were popular at the time, and it has been sung ever since.

rainkitahara hakushū

♥♥ “Ame” (Rain) (雨) [Children’s song] (with romaji lyrics & translation)

This “Rain,” which begins with the words “Ame ga furimasu, ame ga furu” (“It rains, it’s raining”), is a historic children’s song released in 1919 (Taisho 8).

The lyrics were written by Hakushu Kitahara, and it contains many expressions that are seldom heard today.

Please listen to it while picturing the scenes of rain in Japan at that time.

dragonfly glassesHirai Kōsaburō

Dragonfly's Glasses [Autumn Song]

Since its debut on NHK Radio in 1949 (Showa 24), it has been sung as one of Japan’s representative children’s songs.

It is said that the lyricist, Seishi Nukaga, wrote these lyrics after actually seeing children playing with dragonflies.

Try singing it together with your little ones.

Octopus SongMonbushō shōka

Kite Song (Ministry of Education Song) ♪ Fly, fly, kite — Kite song

Under the cold winter sky, the sight of kites catching the wind and soaring gracefully has long been cherished as a quintessential Japanese scene.

It’s a bit sad that we see fewer children flying kites nowadays.

During the winter break, why not enjoy kite flying together with your children?

pigeonMonbushō shōka

Pigeons (Hatopoppo) ♪ Coo, coo, coo, pigeons, coo, coo—do you want some beans? Ministry of Education school song – Pigeons

With lyrics so memorable that seeing pigeons in the city makes you want to burst into the “coo-coo-coo” song, this “Hato” is a traditional children’s song first published in 1911 and is still loved across generations today.

Its melody is easy for even small children to sing.

YukiMonbushō shōka

Ministry of Education Song: Snow

The history of this song is very old, and some of you may be surprised to learn that it is actually a song from nearly a hundred years ago.

The lyrics of Yuki ya Konko, which make you want to sing along the moment it starts snowing, are especially memorable in this children’s song.

Singing this song makes the winter scenery even more enjoyable.

Tanabata-samaNihon warabeuta

Tanabata Sama – Tanabata Sama | Sasa leaves rustle, swaying under the eaves [Japanese songs and shoka]

Tanabata originally has its roots in China.

However, the custom of hanging wish slips on bamboo began in the Edo period and cannot be seen in other countries.

It’s a delightful time to hang the slips while thinking of wishes together with your child.

Be sure to listen to the song “Tanabata-sama” together as well.