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

A Demon Parent and Child

Fingerplay Song 'Oni no Oyako' (with lyrics version)

This piece focuses on oni—often portrayed as villains—within Setsubun, a major event in February.

The lyrics feature an oni parent and child, expressing differences such as the size of their horns and the lightning they unleash.

It begins with the child oni’s small horns and tiny lightning, then unfolds to depict the father and mother with large, powerful presences.

From there, it might be interesting to imagine other family members as well.

With its light, lively movement, this music could also serve as a friendly introduction to oni.

Winter Song (Original: Bulgarian Folk Song)Composer: Hristo Nezharkov

Winter Song ♪ Haiya haiya, scattering the sound of bells across the meadow — Japanese lyrics by Tomoko Nakayama, composed by Hristo Nezhalkov

Here is a children’s song that was broadcast on NHK’s “Minna no Uta” in 1971.

It is based on a piece composed by Bulgarian musician Hristo Nedyalkov, with lyrics in Japanese translated and adapted by Tomoko Nakayama, a translator and children’s literature author.

Nedyalkov served as the conductor of the Bulgarian National Sofia Children’s Choir and is said to have visited Japan.

With its lively melody and onomatopoeia preserved from the original, it’s a delightful song that makes you feel as if you can hear a sleigh gliding across a snowy field.

The Kitten's BakeryLyrics by Kayoko Fuyumori / Music by Akira Hayashi

Kitten’s Bakery: With Mother

February 22 is considered Cat Day in Japan because 2-2-2 can be read as “nyan nyan nyan,” the sound of a cat’s meow.

A perfect fit for Cat Day is “The Kitten’s Bakery.” This song, which has also been aired on the children’s program “Okaasan to Issho,” depicts a kitten running a bakery, just as the title suggests.

However, the kitten only kneads the dough and completely forgets the baking step.

As a result, even when customers come to buy bread, there’s nothing to sell! It’s a delightfully quirky story-song.

It also plays on words by combining “koneko” (kitten) and “kone-ru” (to knead), making it fun for little children to sing along.

Snow DanceLyrics by Keizo Yui

“Snow Dance” by Teacher Uetaku — Let’s all sing together♪ A fun children’s song chorus

Here is a fun winter song that can be played in ensemble on the recorder or sung as a round.

The melody is said to be based on the Czechoslovak folk tune “Týnom Tánom.” Keizo Yui wrote the lyrics to that melody.

It was once included in music textbooks, so many people may already know it.

It’s a cheerful song that uses onomatopoeia to mimic the sound of falling snow, but for those who are shoveling or clearing snow, it might not be such a welcome tune.

Mr. Penguin’s Mountain ClimbLyrics by Naomi Abe / Music by Naomi Abe

[Hand Play] Penguin Mountain Climbing — Recommended for Kindergartens, Nurseries, and Practicum

The sight of adorable penguins sliding over the ice makes them a perfect motif for February, as birds of cold regions.

This is a light and playful hand game song that seems to capture a penguin’s movements.

You make a big mountain out of your arm and shoulder, then use your other hand, acting as the penguin, to climb the mountain.

At the end, you represent the penguin sliding down the mountain, evoking the charming everyday life of penguins.

After the penguin comes a polar bear, and it’s fun to contrast the difference in the weight and pressure of their steps, as depicted in the lyrics.

Momotaro defeats the ogres!

February Finger Play: “Momotaro Defeats the Oni!” (With Lyrics) – Recommended by Preschool Teachers | A Setsubun/Oni Song Kids Love – Nursery Rhyme & Japanese Play Song

Momotaro is a classic folktale that everyone knows, and since it’s about defeating ogres, it’s a perfect story for February when Setsubun takes place.

This is a hand-play song that depicts Momotaro heading out to vanquish the ogres with his companions.

While expressing Momotaro’s strength, the ogres’ horns, and the appearances of the animal companions, it introduces the story of Momotaro.

In the original tale, a dog, a monkey, and a pheasant join him as his retainers, but it might be fun to arrange it with even stronger-looking animals.

Rural WinterComposition: Akataro Shimazaki

Rural Winter

“Winter in the Countryside” evokes a tranquil village scene set in winter.

It was published in 1931 in Shin Jinjo Shogaku Shoka (5).

The song depicts a cold, snowy morning, featuring rice paddies, tree branches, and sparrows in its lyrics.

When singing it in kindergarten or nursery school, preparing illustrations of the scenery is also recommended.

Its somewhat nostalgic melody conveys feelings of fond remembrance and poignancy.

It’s a children’s song perfectly suited to the cold season of winter, with spring just around the corner.