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

Among the traditional songs passed down across Japan, Yamagata’s folk music possesses a uniquely moving charm.

In pieces like the Sagae Jinku and the Mogamigawa Boat Song, the daily life and culture of the region are woven into melodies filled with the pride and feelings of those who came before.

In this article, we introduce musical works Yamagata is proud of—from nursery songs sung since ancient times to folk tunes that continue to thrive today.

As you contemplate the tranquil landscapes of Yamagata, why not lend an ear to the world of its folk songs, where nostalgia and freshness coexist?

Playlist

[Folk Songs of Yamagata] The Heart of Our Hometown Passed Down in Song: Feelings Woven into Nostalgic Melodies
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	My little knife.		A heartwarming children's song passed down across generations in Tsuruoka, Yamagata Prefecture
2	Yamagata Bakuro-bushi		A Yamagata folk song about the travels of a packhorse driver
3	Asahi Ondo		A song depicting young love set against the backdrop of Mt. Asahi
4	Okitama Otsu-e		The celebratory bon dance song of Yamagata traces its origin to the Echigo Jinku.
5	Okitama Bon Odori Song		Yamagata Bon Odori Song, A Folk Song of Harvest and Bonds
6	Okitama Sake Brewer’s Rice-Washing Song		A folk song for rice-washing work at a sake brewery
7	Chrysanthemums and Bellflowers		An old celebratory song from Yamagata sung at festive occasions
8	Song for Celebrating a Bountiful Harvest		A celebratory song from Yamagata that honors a bountiful rice harvest
9	Backside macconokisa		A creative folk song depicting the simple, rural everyday life in the Yamagata dialect
10	Kakuma Harvesting Song		Giving thanks to nature in a firewood-cutting work song from Yamagata
11	Yamagata Lumberjack Song		A work song that sings of the pride and vitality of Yamagata’s sawyers
12	I don’t like Shonai.		Hearts become one through the Shonai region’s dance songs
13	Old Obako		A traditional folk song from Yamagata that sings of romantic feelings
14	Mogami River		Yamagata Prefectural Song. Expresses the beauty of the Mogami River.
15	Yonezawa Obako		A gentle folk song of the Yonezawa region
16	Agarashare		A folk song that sings of drinking bouts in Yamagata Prefecture
17	Hanagasa Ondo		A folk song from Yamagata Prefecture that is danced at festivals.
18	Mogami River Boat Song		The Mogamigawa Boat Song is a Yamagata folk song created in 1936 (Showa 11).
19	Safflower Picking Song		A folk song from the safflower-producing region was born in the Taisho era
20	Shonai Obako		Shonai Obako is a Tohoku folk song with dialect lyrics
21	Yonezawa Bon Uta		The Yonezawa Bon Uta is a folk song that originated as a celebration of military victory.
22	red cherryIwase Yukiko		Sing about Yamagata’s cherries
23	Yamagata Tanto-bushiOtsuka Fumio		The Yamagata Tanto-bushi originated as a straw-threshing work song.
24	Miuchi OndoHayashi Isao, Saitō Kyōko		The History of the Miyauchi Ondo and the Circumstances of Its Abolition
25	secret talkNegishi Yoshiko, Tsutsuki Keiko		The children's song “Secret Talk,” lyrics by Yoshio Yuki
26	Old Takahata Ondo		Passing down traditional folk songs into the present through cosplay
27	Shichikaibushi		A folk song from Yamagata Prefecture sung at celebratory occasions
28	Bean-Grinding Song		Mamehiki-uta is a folk song of Yamagata Prefecture.
29	Sakata Funakata-bushiKawasaki Keiko		The Izumo-bushi was passed on at Sakata Port and became the Funakata-bushi.
30	Higashine Sankaibushiichimaru		Congratulatory folk songs sung around Higashine City
31	Rice Hulling SongSatō Setsuko		The Birth of the Rice-Hulling Song Sung by Setsuko Sato
32	A town where snow fallsTakayoshio		A song themed around a snowy landscape
33	Enya Makkagoe-n		Introducing lullabies from different regions of Yamagata Prefecture
34	Daikoku Dance		A folk performing art in which a person wears a Daikoku mask and performs at the gate during the New Year
35	Shonai Haeya-bushiSatō Kametarō		The Shōnai Haeya-bushi is a folk song that spread from the port.
36	New Hanagasa Ondo		The New Hanagasa Ondo danced in the Yonezawa area
37	Mamurogawa Ondo		Shamisen folk song of the Mamurogawa Ondo
38	Stonecutting Song		A work song sung by stonecutters in Yamagata
39	Hanazawa-bushi		A folk song originating in Sakegawa Village, known for its ‘beauty-enhancing’ hot springs
40	Yamagata Bon SongItō Kaduko		The Yamagata Bon Song is a Bon dance song derived from the Echigo Jinku.
41	Tsuyahime OndoNishio Yuki		A Yamagata Rice Anthem Supporting Tsuyahime
42	Okitama shōgainai		Fumio Otsuka is famous for celebratory songs from the Okitama region.
43	Yamagata Soba OndoHoshikawa Eiko		Introduction and Promotion of the Yamagata Soba Ondo
44	Sakata JinkuIshikawa Ie Miyokichi		A boisterous song of the pleasure quarters set against the prosperity of Sakata Port
45	Shinjō-bushiAsakura Saya		The Origin Uproar Song of the Bamba Town Red-light District in the Meiji Era