[Folk Songs of Yamagata] The Heart of Our Hometown Passed Down in Song: Feelings Woven into Nostalgic Melodies

red cherryIwase Yukiko

Red Cherries (Iwase Yukiko)

This is “Red Cherries,” sung by Yukiko Iwase.

The lyrics are by Yoshihiko Sawawatari, and the music is by Ryokichi Takaoka.

It’s a charming children’s song unique to Yamagata Prefecture, famous for its cherries.

The lyrics vividly depict scenes that even people unfamiliar with Yamagata can picture, such as a small child too short to reach the red cherries and the flow of the Mogami River.

Yamagata Tanto-bushiOtsuka Fumio

Fumio Otsuka 45th Anniversary Performance — Yamagata Tanto-bushi — Shamisen: Yuno Otsuka

This is “Yamagata Tanto-bushi” sung by Fumio Otsuka.

Tanto-bushi was originally called the “Straw-Beating Song” because it was sung by people beating straw in farmyards.

Not only in Yamagata, but also in various regions—such as Tsugaru Tanto-bushi, Akita Tanto-bushi, and Hokkai Tanto-bushi—slightly different versions of the song are sung.

Miuchi OndoHayashi Isao, Saitō Kyōko

Miuchi Ondo

This is “Miyauchi Ondo,” sung by Isao Hayashi and Kyoko Saito.

When Miyauchi Town in Higashiokitama District, Yamagata Prefecture, was created in 1955 through the merger of Miyauchi Town, Yoshino Village, Kaneyama Village, and Urushiyama Village, the song “Miyauchi Ondo” was also composed.

The lyrics were written by Issaki Honma, and the music was composed by Toshiro Yamaguchi.

Later, in 1967, Miyauchi Town, Akayu Town, and Wago Village merged to form the city of Nanyo, and as a result, “Miyauchi Ondo” stopped being sung.

secret talkNegishi Yoshiko, Tsutsuki Keiko

secret talk

It’s “Naisho Banashi” (Secret Talk), with lyrics by Yoshio Yuki, a nursery rhyme poet from Nanyo City in Yamagata Prefecture.

Composed in 1939, when Yuki was 19, the music was written by Yasuharu Yamaguchi, who also composed the big hit “Kawaii Sakanaya-san” (The Cute Fishmonger).

It’s a classic that conveys a child’s heartfelt wish for their mother to listen to them.

Old Takahata Ondo

“Old Takahata Ondo” is a folk song handed down in Takahata Town, Higashiokitama District, Yamagata Prefecture, and nowadays there is also a “New Takahata Folk Song.” This video is a bit unusual in that cosplayers are performing the dance.

It seems they are trying to pass on a tradition that would fade away unless someone carries it forward, using the uniquely modern platform of Niconico, and I’m impressed by their spirit and initiative.

Shichikaibushi

Folk Dance Nanakai-bushi

This is the “Shichikaibushi,” a folk song handed down in Higashine City, Yamagata Prefecture.

It is sung on celebratory occasions.

Composed in the 5-7-5-7-7 poetic meter, the final 7-7 lines are repeated to make seven verses, which is why it was originally called “Shichikaibushi” (Seven-Repetition Song).

The character for ‘kai’ (repetition) was later replaced with the homophonous character meaning ‘stair’ or ‘level,’ resulting in the current name “Shichikaibushi” (Seven-Level Song).

It is an unusually structured and amusing song for a folk tune.

Bean-Grinding Song

Mamehiki-uta (Bean-Grinding Song) — Yamagata Folk Song — cover by Seikou

Mamehiki-uta is a work song that was sung when pulling bean stalks from the field or knocking the beans out of their pods.

It is also referred to as the weaving song of the Date region in Fukushima Prefecture.

However, at the East Japan Folk Song Competition held in 1950, Momosei Saito, a folk singer from Yamagata Prefecture, won first prize, and today it is regarded as a folk song of Yamagata.