Tokushima’s Folk Songs, Children’s Songs, and Nursery Rhymes | Traditional Songs Rooted in the Region, Including Awa Odori
In Tokushima Prefecture, where abundant nature and traditional culture thrive, many traditional songs vividly depict the land of Awa and the lives of its people.
From work songs sung during farm labor and Bon dance songs to lullabies, Tokushima’s folk songs—passed down through daily life—are filled with charms worth sharing across generations.
In this article, we have gathered a selection of Tokushima’s captivating folk songs, children’s songs, and nursery rhymes.
Why not lend an ear to a musical world, born in Tokushima and lovingly carried on by locals, where nostalgia and freshness blend together?
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Tokushima Folk Songs, Children's Songs, and Nursery Rhymes | Traditional Songs Rooted in the Region, Including Awa Odori (11–20)
Shonga-e Song of Teba Islandmin’yō
It is a folk song rich in emotion, evoking Tokushima’s abundant nature and the very breath of life in its port-town residents.
You can almost see the boats traveling between Mugi Port and Teba Island and the beautiful seascapes unfolding before your eyes.
The singer’s warm, conversational voice blends with the lively accompaniment of flute, drums, and shamisen, leaving listeners with a gentle, comforting feeling.
This piece can be heard on the compilation album “Awa Hyakkei,” released in July 2020.
It’s also beloved at local events, so you may well hear it during your travels in Tokushima.
Terano Sensu Dance Songmin’yō
A folk song that vividly conjures scenes of people dancing with fans in a remote mountain village of Tokushima.
It conveys, directly and sincerely, the breath of everyday life carried on since ancient times and the bonds among the local people.
The simple sounds of flute and drum stand out, drawing you in as if you were right there—that’s part of its charm.
This track is also included on the album “Awa Hyakkei,” released in July 2020.
Why not give it a listen when you want to step away from the rush of daily life and attune your heart to Japan’s original landscapes, or when you wish to let your thoughts wander to the land of Tokushima?
Bon Nagashi Songmin’yō
This piece, performed during the traditional Obon ceremony of sending off one’s ancestors, is a new folk song from Tokushima that skillfully weaves together the subdued sentiment of a zabushi-uta (parlor song) with the lively, bouncing rhythm meant for procession dances.
You can hear it on albums such as Minyo Furusato Kiko, released in November 2006.
It is reportedly a staple tune for the “Bon-nagashi” event during the summer Awa Odori.
Why not immerse yourself in the atmosphere of a Japanese summer while letting your thoughts drift to the scenery of Tokushima?
Tea Rolling Song of Nishi-Iyamin’yō
A traditional work song handed down in Nishi-Iya-yama Village, Tokushima Prefecture.
It depicts the series of tasks of kneading tea leaves by hand, sung with distinctive calls and responses.
Listening to this piece, you can almost see the workers breathing in unison and feel the unique sense of togetherness that comes from collaborative labor.
The song is also included on the renowned 2020 compilation Awa Hyakkei, which gathers folk songs from Tokushima.
Why not listen to it while picturing the richly natural rural landscapes that still remain in Tokushima today?
Naruto Bayashimin’yō
It’s a vibrant piece that seems to let you hear the mighty whirlpools of Tokushima and the breath of the people who live there.
The lively rhythms of shamisen and taiko bring to mind sea breezes, darting plovers, and dancers in indigo-dyed yukata.
They say this song evolved from an existing new folk tune as it was passed down among the people, eventually taking the form we know today.
Beloved as a staple performance at Naruto City’s summer festival and even featured in the city’s tourism goods, it is cherished as a work that conveys a strong bond with the region’s culture.
Naruto Tairyō-bushimin’yō
Set against the majestic seas of Naruto, this piece weaves together the lives of fishermen and the joy of a great catch through sound, making you feel as if you’re listening to a story.
It moves from a calm scene of quietly rowing out to sea to a bold festival accompaniment celebrating a bountiful haul, all portrayed with a vibrant, dynamic melody.
The work itself unites two songs that have long been passed down in the community.
Its excellent affinity with dance has made it a cherished performance at local cultural events to this day.
Give it a listen when you want to experience music rooted in the land and spirit of Tokushima.
In conclusion
In Tokushima’s folk songs, children’s songs, and nursery rhymes—whether seaside work chants, farming songs that evoke nostalgic scenes of daily life, or traditional songs preserved alongside the Awa Odori—the lives and hearts of the people are reflected. The iconic melodies that symbolize Tokushima will continue to resonate with us as soothing music for the soul.