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?

Playlist

Folk songs, children's songs, and nursery rhymes of Toyama: the enduring heart of our hometown passed down through song
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	Serikomi Chōroku		Beloved locally as a traditional folk song of Toyama
2	Four-Bamboo Joint		A song of Toyama residents’ love that sings the flavors of their hometown
3	Enjara-bushi		Traditional Bon Odori folk song of Tonami City
4	Snow in HimiHarada Yuuri		Yuri Harada’s heartbreak song, “Snow of Himi”
5	Kokiriko-bushi		A famous folk song representing Gokayama in Toyama Prefecture
6	Gokayama Oiwake-bushi		A folk song of Gokayama, sung in time with a cow’s pace.
7	O-Sayo Bushi		A folk song from the Gokayama region of Toyama Prefecture themed around the courtesan Osayo
8	Fukumitsu Chon-gare		Traditional Bon Odori song of Minami Tonami
9	Moon over the Ruined Castle		Rentaro Taki’s “Moon Over the Ruined Castle” was modeled on Toyama Castle.
10	Mugiya-bushi		The Etchu Mugiya-bushi is a folk song of Gokayama.
11	Shinkawa Ancient Deity		Shinkawa Kodai-gami is a folk song that influenced the Tsugaru Jongara-bushi.
12	Hayamugiya-bushi		The History and Appeal of Toyama’s Folk Song, the Hayamugiya-bushi
13	Wind FestivalSugawara Yoichi		Introduction to the Folk Songs of the Owara Kaze no Bon
14	Nennen-ya ororo wai.		Regional lullabies are soothing.
15	Rita Nikata-bushi		A work song of the people who labor on the Joganji River.
16	Tairyō-bushi		A folk song originating in Himi City that prays for a bountiful catch
17	Shin Fuseya-bushi		Passing down regional culture through Toyama folk songs
18	Fukuno Yotaka-bushi		Experience Toyama’s festival culture at the Fuku-no Yotaka-bushi.
19	Sail Mast Raising Chant		In Toyama, it has been passed down as a celebratory song for ships (a boat-blessing folk song).
20	Ecchu Owara Bushi		The Etchu Owara Bushi is a folk song from Toyama.
21	Fukumitsu Medeta		A folk song from the Fukumitsu region that is sung at celebratory occasions
22	maimai		Characteristics and Charms of Toyama’s Folk Song Maimai
23	Nojita Ondo		The Nojita Ondo is revived for the first time in thirty years
24	Ten percent interest per month		A traditional folk song of Toyama Prefecture, bird motif praying for a bountiful harvest
25	Household Head Shōda Rice-Planting Celebration Song		A rice-planting celebration song has been passed down in Asahi Town, Toyama Prefecture.
26	Yasaibushi		The tradition of foundry work songs
27	Shinkawa Ancient Deity		Shinkawa Ancient Deity is the Bon dance song of the Ryugu Festival
28	Gokayama Ancient Deity		The ancient god’s origin lies in a temple custom in Niigata.
29	Sansai Dance		Toyama Bon Odori song, danced by women and children
30	sunset		A musical piece set to the poem of a white dove