[Folk Songs and Children's Songs of Akita] A curated selection of local masterpieces that evoke love for one’s hometown
A wealth of folk songs and children’s songs that have long been close to the lives of the people of Akita.
Nurtured amid abundant nature and a harsh climate, Akita’s folk songs are imbued with people’s joys and sorrows, and with hearts of prayer.
Still sung at local festivals and traditional events and passed down to children, these songs are, quite literally, the very heart of Akita.
In this article, we introduce the musical world that Akita proudly offers—a region renowned nationwide for its vibrant folk song culture—from well-known folk and children’s songs everyone has heard at least once, to hidden gems known only to the initiated.
- [Akita Songs] A Collection of Gem-Like Local Tunes Filled with Love for Hometowns
- Akita Ondo: The Heart of Japan Passed Down in Song
- [Children’s Songs of Autumn] Autumn songs, school songs, and traditional children’s rhymes. A collection of classic pieces to sing in autumn.
- Nostalgic Children’s Songs, Folk Songs, and Nursery Rhymes: The Heart of Japan Passed Down Through Song
- Folk Songs, Children's Songs, and Nursery Rhymes of Aomori: Japanese Songs from Tsugaru and Hachinohe that Resonate with the Heart
- Niigata’s folk songs, children’s songs, and nursery rhymes: the heart of our hometown passed down in song
- Folksongs, children's songs, and nursery rhymes of Fukushima: the heart of our hometown passed down in song
- Children’s songs, folk songs, and nursery rhymes about insects
- [Folk Songs of Yamagata] The Heart of Our Hometown Passed Down in Song: Feelings Woven into Nostalgic Melodies
- Folk songs, children's songs, and nursery rhymes of Iwate: the heart of the hometown passed down through song
- Beautiful Folk Songs Passed Down in Miyagi Prefecture: A Collection of Masterpieces that Play the Heart of the Hometown
- [Songs of Aomori] A collection of local songs depicting the grandeur of nature and the warmth of its people.
- [Folk and Children's Songs of Hokkaido] Songs of Hokkaido that continue to be loved across generations
[Akita Folk Songs and Children's Songs] A curated selection of beloved local classics that evoke hometown love (21–30)
Honjo Oiwake
Honjo City was once a bustling center of the geisha and entertainment quarters.
Among the lively songs popular there was the Honjo Oiwake.
The Oiwake melody, originally sung at Oiwake-juku in Shinshu, is said to have been carried north from Echigo to Hokkaido and passed through Akita along the way.
Its verses evoke the scenery of each region, making it a song that brings one’s hometown to mind.
Namahage Ondo
Obonai is said to have been the name of a former town area in the east-central part of Semboku City, and from the opening lines of the lyrics it is also called “Obonedashi.” Although it is enjoyed as a drinking song, the appearance of words like rice and boats in the lyrics has led some to say it was also sung as a prayer for abundant harvests and good catches.
It is a beautiful folk song with a flowing melody and crisp, lively calls.
[Akita Folk Songs and Children’s Songs] A Curated Selection of Beloved Local Classics that Convey Hometown Love (31–40)
Akita Tanto-bushi
Among the folk performing arts of the Senboku region, this is a song that was sung while dancing with gestures of threshing straw, and it is also known as the “Wara-uchi Tanto-bushi.” The lyrics were crafted to match the story, vividly evoking its scenes.
With lively shamisen and buoyant vocals, it’s a light, catchy tune.
Akita Jinku
The Bon dance song “Nanyatoyara,” originally from the former Nanbu domain, was brought to Akita and evolved there.
Sung boldly to the accompaniment of shamisen, flute, and drum, the lively Akita Jinku transcends the usual bounds of the “jinku” genre and is beloved as a hand-dance song.
Even the festival accompaniment has a bustling, festive feel.
Akita Rice-Washing Song
It is one of the sake brewers’ work songs sung during sake making.
Among the steps of the process is washing the rice, and it’s said that if you sing this song twice before draining the water, it will be just the right timing.
The lyrics convey how hard rice washing is, giving a glimpse into the craftsmen’s labor.
Akita Funakata-bushi
It has been passed down as a lively drinking song in the entertainment quarters.
It’s a piece that showcases a clear, far-reaching high voice, and you can’t help but be captivated.
It’s a lovely folk song that conjures the image of a boat gently swaying on the waves.
The festive accompaniment adds a touch of splendor as well.
Akita Grass-Cutting Song
It is said to be a song of the farmers of the Senboku region, sung on the way to and from cutting grass used as feed for cattle and horses or as bedding in livestock sheds—sometimes while leading a horse, or during a rest after finishing the mowing.
One can’t help but be captivated by the expansive singing voice that evokes vast open lands.