Folk songs, children's songs, and nursery rhymes of Toyama: the enduring heart of our hometown passed down through song
A special feature on folk songs and children’s songs from Toyama.
It includes folk songs related to Gokayama, known as a hidden enclave of the once-glorious Taira clan; folk songs unique to Toyama, famous for its medicines; and not only folk tunes but also well-known pieces like “Moon over the Ruined Castle,” composed by Rentaro Taki, who spent his boyhood in Toyama.
If you live locally, many of these pieces will surely feel familiar.
We also introduce Bon dance songs, so you might even catch a whiff of summer’s atmosphere.
Why not listen to regional folk and children’s songs and let your thoughts wander to Toyama’s natural and cultural landscape?
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- Niigata’s folk songs, children’s songs, and nursery rhymes: the heart of our hometown passed down in song
- [Folk Songs and Children's Songs of Akita] A curated selection of local masterpieces that evoke love for one’s hometown
- Tokushima’s Folk Songs, Children’s Songs, and Nursery Rhymes | Traditional Songs Rooted in the Region, Including Awa Odori
- Folk songs, children’s songs, and nursery rhymes of Kumamoto: the enduring spirit of our hometown passed down through song.
- Folk songs, children's songs, and nursery rhymes of Hiroshima: the enduring heart of our hometown, passed down through song.
- Folk songs, children's songs, and nursery rhymes of Nagasaki: the heart of the hometown passed down through song
- Folk songs, children’s songs, and nursery rhymes of Osaka: the enduring spirit of our hometown carried on in song
- [Folk and Children's Songs of Hokkaido] Songs of Hokkaido that continue to be loved across generations
Toyama’s folk songs, children’s songs, and nursery rhymes: The heart of our hometown passed down in song (21–30)
Sansai Dance
It’s a lively, nursery-rhyme-style Bon dance song.
The gentle, simple melody leaves a strong impression.
It is danced every July in the grounds of Enryūji Temple in Umezawa Town, Toyama City.
Participants wear matching yukata and aprons, and only women and children take part.
Its origins are old, said to date back to around 1639 when Toshi Naoe, the first lord of the Toyama Domain, entered Toyama Castle.
It is an Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Toyama City.
Gokayama Ancient Deity
When people hear the term “kodai-gami,” many imagine an ancient deity.
However, this actually refers to a custom passed down from Kodaiji Temple in Niigata, and the word “kodai-gami” is said to be a variation that arose through dialectal shifts of the term “Kodaiji.” In the Gokayama region, there are many other songs titled “Kodai-gami,” and a variety of lyrics have been preserved.
In conclusion
We introduced many folk songs and children’s songs from Toyama Prefecture! Were there any tunes you’ve heard before? If you look into the lyrics of these songs, you can discover their regional character and history—that’s enjoyable, too. If you’re interested, please give it a try!