[February Songs] Introducing children's songs, folk songs, nursery rhymes, and hand-play songs about Setsubun and winter!

MomotaroComposition: Tadasuke Okano

♪Momotaro – Peach Boy | ♪Momotaro-san, Momotaro-san [Japanese Song / Shoka]

As a character associated with Setsubun, ogres (oni) are indispensable, aren’t they? When it comes to famous stories featuring oni, “Momotaro” comes to mind.

There’s a song with the same title, “Momotaro,” that tells the story of Momotaro.

This song has six verses and compactly covers the episodes from Momotaro leaving home, recruiting three animal companions, setting off to Onigashima to defeat the oni, and triumphantly returning.

Not many people may know all six verses, but since it lets you grasp the whole Momotaro tale at once, Setsubun is a great chance to listen to the entire song!

Come, springLyrics by Somao Mikaze / Music by Ryutaro Hirota

♪ Come, Spring – Haru Yo Koi | ♪ Come, spring, come quickly. Little Mii-chan, who has just begun to walk [Japanese song/children’s song]

A song that eagerly awaits the arrival of spring, “Haru yo, Koi” (“Come, Spring”).

As winter sets in in earnest, the cold can make your body shiver.

In those moments, it might be nice to sing this song and think together with your child about what you’d like to do when spring comes.

It’s a classic that has been beloved by a wide audience for many years, so be sure to give it a listen.

Winter nightMonbushō Shōka (Ministry of Education Songs)

Ministry of Education Song: Winter Night

Here is a song that was broadcast on NHK’s “Minna no Uta” in 1968.

It originally comes from the Ministry of Education’s collection of school songs, and the author is officially unknown.

As research progresses, we may someday learn who wrote it.

The lyrics, which depict a family gathered around a sunken hearth on a winter night as the cold bites and snow flurries fall, paired with a perfectly matching melody, are truly captivating.

The contrast between the scenes outside and inside is wonderful as well.

I hope beautiful Japanese songs like this will continue to be passed down and sung in the future.

winter sceneryComposer: Unknown

Yuko Kanzaki’s Children’s Song/Winter Scenery

This song, included in a fifth-grade elementary school singing textbook published in 1913, has an unknown composer.

There are occasionally songs created for textbooks whose authors are unknown, and this is one of those.

Despite being an old piece, its triple meter—a touch reminiscent of Western music—and its melody make it appealing as an art song.

In fact, if you only listened to the melody, you might have a curious feeling of not knowing which country it comes from.

It’s a lovely song even when sung with an orchestral accompaniment.

Snow (Yuki ya Konko)Composer: Unknown

Yuki ya Konko (Snow) - Children's song from 'With Mother' (Okaasan to Issho)

When it snows, many people probably think of this song first! One of the most iconic children’s songs about snow, “Yuki” (Snow).

It warmly portrays the scene of snow piling up and how dogs and cats react differently when it snows.

Even though it’s cold outside, it somehow makes you feel cozy inside.

Snow can be a hassle for adults, but for children it’s fun even in the cold! It would be nice to sing this song and then go play in the snow when it piles up.

Black Cat Tango (Original song: Volevo un gatto nero)Composed by Mario Pagano

Tango of the Black Cat

“Black Cat Tango” is a charming, humorous cat song composed by artist Mario Pagano.

In Japan, it became a huge hit when sung by Osamu Minagawa in 1969.

The piece portrays a black cat getting up to all sorts of mischief, set to the rhythmic music of tango.

With the tango’s signature emphatic accents and brisk tempo, it’s a tune that lifts your spirits just by listening.

February 22 is Cat Day in Japan, making this song a perfect way to deepen your fondness for felines.

Sing and dance to it with your family, and you’re sure to forget the winter chill and fill your home with warm smiles.

Spring StreamMonbushō Shōka (Ministry of Education Songs)

Spring Stream

As we get into the latter half of February, you can almost hear the footsteps of spring approaching, can’t you? A perfect song for that moment is “Spring Brook.” It describes how a brook that was frozen or sluggish through the winter begins to flow freely again as the weather warms and the snow melts.

At the same time, it conveys a gentle affection for the colorful flowers blooming nearby and the lively creatures moving about.

Written by lyricist Tatsuyuki Takano and composed by Teiichi Okano, the song originally had three verses, but the lyrics were revised several times before settling into their current form.

It’s a piece that lets you eagerly look forward to the arrival of spring.