Nambu Tawarazumi-uta: A folk song rooted in Tohoku. Carefully selected videos by renowned singers and musicians!
The folk songs “Tawara-tsumi Uta” and “Nanbu Tawara-tsumi Uta” are among Japan’s treasured musical traditions, passed down through generations at worksites.
These valuable songs embody the wisdom and ingenuity of our predecessors—setting the rhythm for heavy labor and uniting the hearts of those working together.
In this article, we present performances of “Nanbu Tawara-tsumi Uta” by a variety of singers and instrumentalists.
You’ll even find rare versions that collaborate with Western music! If you’re interested in experiencing Japan’s traditional culture, be sure to check them out.
Nambu Tawatsumi Uta: Folk Songs Breathing in Tohoku. Carefully Selected Videos by Master Singers and Musicians (1–10)
Tawarazumi Uta (Four Japanese Folk Songs “Northward” for Mixed Chorus and Piano)Matsushita Kou
This piece revitalizes New Year’s celebratory songs from Aomori Prefecture as a contemporary choral work.
It premiered in Wakayama in March 1991, and a women’s choir version was later created.
The charm of this work by Ko Matsushita lies in its bold arrangement that combines traditional folk-song melodies with jazz-tinged tension chords.
Beginning with a driving piano introduction, it moves into the choir singing the folk melodic turns in unison, powerfully drawing listeners in at once.
Beloved by choirs from middle school through university and community ensembles, it has become established as a highly effective competition piece.
It’s perfect for those who want to experience Tohoku’s traditional culture or enjoy new modes of choral expression.
Nambu Tawatsumi UtaOka Midori
Trained rigorously in folk songs since childhood, Midori Oka delivers a modern rendition of Aomori’s celebratory folk music—truly a one-of-a-kind cover where tradition and contemporary style fuse.
By setting a rousing celebratory song that praises storehouses and rice bales to a rock-inspired arrangement, she builds a powerful, dynamic soundscape.
You can enjoy Oka’s signature performance, which retains the original folk call-and-response shouts and brisk rhythms while adding staging suited to modern concerts.
The piece was showcased in the video release of “Midori Oka Recital 2018 ~Enmi~,” held in July 2018, and its placement as the ninth song in the setlist for her 20th anniversary concert in 2025 underscores its importance in her repertoire.
Nambu Tawatsumi UtaNidaime Sasaki Mitsunori with CHiLi GiRL BAND
An innovative arrangement that fuses Aomori folk music with a modern band sound is drawing attention.
The powerful tones of the Tsugaru shamisen intertwine with electric guitar and drums, breathing new life into the rice-bale stacking song that has been passed down as a work song.
While preserving traditional vocal ornamentation and inflection, the groove infused with elements of rock and funk exudes an appeal that transcends the bounds of folk music.
It’s a performance I recommend not only to those drawn to the timbre of Japanese instruments, but also to anyone who enjoys crossover music.
Nambu Tawatsumi UtaMori Konomi
In the Tohoku region, within the former Nanbu domain, a folk song long cherished as a celebratory tune is performed by Konomi Mori.
Mori, who studied folk music from an early age in Hokkaido, became the youngest-ever champion of the national Esashi Oiwake competition, demonstrating her exceptional talent.
Even after debuting as an enka singer, she established a unique vocal style that fuses folk-song kobushi ornamentation with enka techniques.
In her performance of “Nanbu Tawara-zumi Uta,” you can relish the superb balance between traditional melodic inflections and her powerful vocal projection.
It’s a recommended performance for those who want to experience Japan’s traditional culture and feel the vigor of work songs and celebratory songs.
Nambu Tawatsumi UtaEbina Uma
This is a masterful work in which a single performer plays everything—from Tsugaru shamisen and shakuhachi to drums, bells, and festival chants—presenting a “monzuke” door-to-door celebratory song passed down in Iwate and Aomori.
Although Uma Ebina hails from Amami Oshima, he has an unconventional background in which he mastered the Tsugaru shamisen, boasting over a dozen victories at folk song competitions, including winning the 2nd Saitama Tsugaru Shamisen Competition.
His performance of “Nanbu Tawatsumi Uta” is included on the album “Rinkaku: Minyo Hikikata-Ri,” released in November 2015.
The festive rhythm and the rich resonance of two shamisens elevate celebratory occasions—an ideal performance for New Year’s and other festive moments.
Nambu Tawatsumi UtaTatematsu Eiki
This piece is a work song from the southern region of Aomori Prefecture and a celebratory doorstep song (iwai-kadozuke-uta) that prays for the prosperity of each household, vividly singing of stacking rice bales high.
With lyrics depicting rice bales filling the storehouse and symbols of wealth, along with the chant “Yakkorase” and the rhythm of the shamisen, it powerfully conveys the joy of labor and the fullness of daily life.
Sung by Matsuei Tate, it was released in April 1991.
It was later included as the “authentic version” on the 1997 album Definitive Edition: Japanese Folk Songs 2 — Aomori and the 2010 album The Minyo Best: Akita & Iwate, and has been widely loved beyond its region.
Nambu Tawatsumi UtaKouzai Kaori
Enka singer Kaori Kozai performs a traditional celebratory song handed down in Aomori Prefecture with a modern approach.
Originally a folk song performed as a door-to-door New Year’s entertainment—visiting homes alongside the Seven Lucky Gods, stacking rice bales as a trick while offering blessings—Kozai elevates the piece into her own unique sound world by infusing it with jazz and funk flavors.
The dynamic vocals, where traditional melodic turns merge with the expressive power of enka, are especially compelling.
The rustic vigor inherent in folk music is beautifully balanced with sophisticated arrangements, so if you’re interested in Japanese traditional music, be sure to give it a listen.