Folksongs, children's songs, and nursery rhymes of Fukushima: the heart of our hometown passed down in song
The Tohoku region has traditionally been rich in folk songs.
Since ancient times, there have been festival songs and the like that are rooted in the local land.
Many of these songs are ones that everyone from the area would know, but this time we’ve gathered pieces to help more people appreciate the beauty of folk music.
Younger people and others may not be very familiar with it nowadays, so I’d be happy if this sparks your interest!
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Folk songs, children’s songs, and nursery rhymes of Fukushima: The enduring heart of our hometown (1–10)
Haguro-bushiten ten
There is also a Mount Haguro in Yamagata Prefecture, but the one sung about in this folk song is the “Mount Haguro” located on the border between Soma City in Fukushima Prefecture and Marumori Town in Miyagi Prefecture (pronounced Haguro-san).
In the Nara period, there was an ancient custom called utagaki, where young men and women gathered at specific times to sing; these became their lines for wooing each other.
It’s said that if you couldn’t express your feelings in the 5-7 rhythm and compose a love letter that reached the other person’s heart, you wouldn’t be popular.
Koriyama Mochitsuki SongTakahashi-ryu Hideki Yoyakai
It’s a folk song handed down in Koriyama City, Fukushima Prefecture, but there are folk songs called “Mochitsuki-uta” (rice cake pounding songs) all over the country.
In fact, Fukushima Prefecture also has the “Aizu Mochitsuki-uta,” and without a place name attached, it can be hard to tell them apart.
What they have in common is that they are sung on celebratory occasions.
At first glance, since pounding mochi is fairly hard work, I thought the songs were meant for that task, but they are sung at weddings, festivals, and housewarming celebrations for new construction.
Come to think of it, at framework-raising ceremonies, in some regions people throw mochi.
That might be related.
Mount Bandai of AizuFumio Otsuka
Aizu Bandai-san, famous for its distinctive opening that begins with “Enya,” was released nationwide by Victor in 1934 (Showa 9) in a version sung by Kouta Katsutaro.
However, because the lyrics differed so much from the original, it was criticized as an affront to local sentiment.
The original “Aizu Bandai-san” is said to have as many as 162 verses and is known as the “authentic Aizu Bandai-san.” The version most people are familiar with starts at what is considered verse 21.
Folk songs, children’s songs, and nursery rhymes of Fukushima: The heart of our hometown passed down in song (11–20)
Takada JinkuAizumisato Town
A folk song from Aizumisato Town, Onuma District, Fukushima Prefecture.
Formerly known by the place name Aizu Takada, it was sung as a Bon dance song at Isasumi Shrine and has become an important hometown folk song for local residents.
The lyrics, led by references to Isasumi Shrine, praise the virtues of Takada by comparing them to natural seasonal scenes.
The song is quite long, so memorizing all the verses might be difficult.
Miharu Bon Odori SongKenji Murata
A bon dance song passed down in Miharu, Tamura District, Fukushima Prefecture.
The name Miharu (“three springs”) comes from the fact that plum, peach, and cherry blossoms bloom at the same time, allowing you to see three springs at once.
The Miharu Bon Song is also known as the “Miharu Jinku.” It originated when the Echigo jinku was brought to Aizu and then spread to the Iwaki area.
The Miharu Bon Dance is among the most vibrant in the prefecture, and during the Obon season in August it is danced throughout Miharu.
It is said that in the past, there were times when people danced in grand fashion until morning.
Kanchororin SongThe Playful Old Man of the Basin
This is a folk song said to have originated in the Kashima area of Soma City, Fukushima Prefecture, and perhaps due to the arrangement, it has a somewhat bright tone.
A boy and a girl wear kites’ crowns and dance while exchanging the peculiar calls that also appear in the lyrics.
“Kanchororin” is also written as 神長老林, but the reason for these characters is unknown.
One theory claims that kanchororin is the cry of a bird, though the details are unclear.
Soma NagareyamaNatsuko Nakanishi
The Soma Nomaoi is a festival held at Soma Nakamura Shrine, Soma Ota Shrine, and Soma Odaka Shrine, centered on the Nakamura area of Soma City in Fukushima Prefecture.
At the Hibari-ga-hara festival grounds, armored horse racing and a sacred flag contest are conducted.
At each shrine, the eve festival on July 23 serves as a departure ceremony, during which the Soma Nagareyama is sung.