A folk song singer. The enduring heart of their hometown
Here is an introduction to folk singers who carry on songs reflecting the spirit of hometowns across Japan.
This is a gem-filled playlist brimming with love for one’s homeland, nurturing a sense of identity as Japanese.
Folk singer: The heart of the hometown passed down through song (1–10)
Chakkiri-bushiIchimaru
Ichimaru was born in Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture.
She was a folk singer of the Showa era.
“Chakiri-bushi,” a Shizuoka folk song, features place names and dialect from central Shizuoka sung to a lively rhythm.
The version of “Chakkiri-bushi” that Ichimaru released on record became a nationwide hit.
Tsugaru Ohara BushiMitsuna Koyama
Mitsuna Koyama is from Yugawara Town in Kanagawa Prefecture.
She is a Japanese folk singer specializing in Tohoku and Tsugaru folk songs.
The Tsugaru Ohara-bushi, a folk song from the Tsugaru region of Aomori Prefecture, is mainly sung during celebratory occasions and other lively gatherings.
It also has its origins in Shiogama Jinku, a folk song from Miyagi Prefecture.
Its light, buoyant rhythm is a distinctive feature.
Kagoshima MikudariShimbashi Kiyozō
Shimbashi Kiyozō was a Japanese folk singer from Tanegashima, Kitata-ne Village, Kumage District (now Nishinoomote City) in Kagoshima Prefecture, who was active from the early to mid-Showa era.
A former geisha, Shimbashi performed “Kagoshima Sansagari,” a folk song from Kagoshima Prefecture that is also one of the ozashiki (parlor) songs.
Obonai-bushiMasako Kawasaki
Masako Kawasaki is a Japanese folk singer from Niiyama, Omonogawa Town, Hiraka District, Akita Prefecture.
The Obonai-bushi, a folk song from Semboku City in Akita Prefecture, is also affectionately known as Obonai Dashi (Obonedashi) after its opening lyrics and is widely beloved.
Mogami River Boat SongFumio Otsuka
Fumio Otsuka is from Mitsui Village, Nishimurayama District, Yamagata Prefecture (now Kahoku Town).
He is a Japanese folk singer who is still active today.
The Yamagata folk song “Mogamigawa Funauta” has a calm melody, and along with its expansive vocals, it conveys the elegance of the boat and its unhurried movement.
Sayama Tea-Making SongMio Mao
Mitsuoto Mao is a folk singer from Saitama Prefecture.
The folk song of Saitama, Sayama Tea-Making Song, was often sung while picking tea leaves in the fields or making tea.
Listening to this song brings to mind a scene of people cheerfully plucking tea leaves as they sing.
Song of Ezo FujiYuko Fukushi
Yuko Fukushi is a Japanese folk singer from Hokkaido.
She is actively involved in Hokkaido, performing at events such as the Yosakoi Soran Festival.
In the Hokkaido folk song “Ezo Fuji no Uta,” Ezo Fuji refers to Mount Yotei, a volcano in western Hokkaido, and the song celebrates the beauty of this mountain.