A children's song from a popular fairy tale

Sleeping PrincessPinkfong nursery rhyme

Sleeping Princess | Princess Nursery Rhyme | Pinkfong Nursery Rhymes

Also known as Sleeping Beauty, this work tells the story of a princess put under a spell by an evil sorcerer, whose slumber can only be broken by a prince’s kiss.

How romantic that magic is! It’s a simple tale, but a truly wonderful one, isn’t it? This song sets that romantic story to a pleasant waltz (three-beat) rhythm.

It features three roles—the narrator, the prince, and the princess—so it’s a piece that friends or siblings can enjoy performing together!

Tanuki-bayashi of Shojoji (The Raccoon Dogs’ Festival Drumming at Shojoji Temple)Shinpei Nakayama

Shojoji no Tanuki-bayashi [with song] – Children’s Song

This is a song with lyrics based on the legend “Tanuki Bayashi.” The original story goes like this: a priest finds tanuki making a racket in the temple garden at night; he joins in the revelry, but after beating his belly drum too much, it bursts and the tanuki dies.

“Shojoji no Tanuki Bayashi” excerpts only the fun parts of that tale.

By the way, real tanuki do not beat their bellies.

What people think of as tanuki belly drumming is actually a phenomenon where, in mountains or grasslands with few obstacles to block sound, distant drumbeats or fireworks seem audible due to low clouds carrying the sound.

Please, do not catch tanuki and hit their bellies.

The Crane's Return of FavorShoji Hashimoto

The Crane’s Return of Favor ♪ Long ago, a poor villager helped a crane. Lyrics by Tamiko Hirai; Music by Yoshimichi Hashimoto — The Crane of Gratitude

The story of “The Crane’s Return of a Favor” perfectly fits the saying “Curiosity killed the cat.” Even the virtuous old man who saves a crane can’t overcome his curiosity and ends up opening the door.

It really shows how frightening human intellectual curiosity can be.

If only he hadn’t looked at her weaving, they could have been much happier—what a waste.

Thinking about the crane’s feelings at that moment, as well as the old man’s and old woman’s, gives the tale real depth.

By the way, they say the story is set in Yamagata Prefecture.

Princess KaguyaMinoru Kainuma

Nursery Rhyme: Princess Kaguya

Kaguya-hime, known for being born from a bamboo stalk.

The original work, The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter, was even included in the author’s high school textbook.

The most likely setting for Kaguya-hime is present-day Nara Prefecture, meaning it’s a story set in a land rich with historical ambience.

By the way, the emperor doesn’t appear in the song, but since the tale is famous, please look it up if you’re interested.

It’s a sad story of a beloved child, raised with great affection, who returns to the moon.

Seeing the full moon on the night of the harvest moon always brings Kaguya-hime to mind.

The Town Musicians of BremenAkira Hayashi

The Musicians of Bremen Akira Hayashi Okaasan to Issho

The 1819 work The Town Musicians of Bremen is a fairy tale in which animals who have been abandoned by humans or are about to be used as ingredients for cooking take center stage.

The charm of this story lies in the many animals that appear.

The music is highly varied, featuring rhythmic, rap-like sections and relaxed melodies, making it a very enjoyable piece to listen to.

Imitating the neighs of horses and the clucks of chickens is great fun, and it’s a perfect fairy-tale song for the finale of a children’s performance as well!

Let's go to the park.Lyrics and Music: Osamu Sakata

[Song♫] Let's Go to the Park / With Mother (Covered by UtaSta) [Animated PV]

This popular song from NHK’s “Okaasan to Issho” is characterized by a bright tone that evokes the arrival of spring and a lively, uplifting rhythm.

Created by Osamu Sakata, it features lyrics that convey the joy of playing outdoors and a warm worldview that can be enjoyed across generations, from babies to the elderly.

It was sung by Ayumi Shigemori and Kentaro Hayami in August 1999, and around the same time it was also included on Ikkokudō’s album “Niji no Mukou ni.” It’s a heartwarming piece you’ll want to hum with someone special during a sunny walk or playtime at the park—perfect for enjoying with family and friends in the fresh green season.

Story FingerLyrics by: Yoshiko Kayama / Music by: Akira Yuyama

Mr. Story Finger (🎵 This finger is Papa~) by Himawari 🌻 with Lyrics [Children’s Song | One of Japan’s 100 Selected Songs]

This is a heartwarming children’s song that you can enjoy while doing hand play.

By imagining your fingers as cute family members, it unfolds like a conversation between characters, so it’s great fun to sing while moving your fingers together with your child! Created by Yoshiko Kayama and Akira Yuyama, the piece was first introduced in February 1962 on the NHK radio program “Toddler Time,” and has been included on many classic recordings, such as the album “Children’s Songs by Age (2) Ages 1–2.” Its simple lyrics and melody are charming and perfect for parent-child bonding.

Widely loved as a staple hand-play song that’s hugely popular in kindergartens and nursery schools, it has also been featured on NHK’s “Okaasan to Issho.” The bright, cheerful melody makes it easy to sing and is sure to bring a smile to your child’s face.