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 heart of our hometown passed down in song (21–30)
Waraji OndoYuji Koseki
This song was created for the Waraji Odori of the Fukushima Waraji Festival, a summer event launched by the Fukushima Chamber of Commerce and Industry in 1969 to wish citizens good health and strong legs.
It was inspired by the 300-year-old Shinobu Sanzan Yaki-mairi, in which about 100 people carry and dedicate a giant straw sandal for the guardian Nio statues enshrined at Haguro Shrine on Mount Shinobu, the symbol of Fukushima City, praying for household safety and a bountiful harvest.
One of the giant straw sandals is dedicated during the Lunar New Year’s Shinobu Yama Yaki-mairi, and the other is dedicated in early August when the Fukushima Waraji Festival is held.
In recent years, with events like Dancing Soda Night and the Heisei Waraji Ondo, the festival has taken on a slightly samba-like vibe.
Iizaka Little SongSeikō
As the famous song goes, “Kusatsu is a wonderful place,” Iizaka Onsen in Iizaka City, Fukushima Prefecture is also one of the Tohoku region’s premier hot springs.
The parts of the song that praise these famed waters and hint at clandestine romances naturally evoke images of a geisha performing chic shamisen and kouta in a tatami room.
With the aim of promoting visits to Iizaka, the song is still passed down and sung in Iizaka City today.
Folk songs, children’s songs, and nursery rhymes of Fukushima: The heart of our hometown passed down in song (31–40)
Dear Mr./Ms. Anba,Akane Mayuzumi
In 2016, the annual festival of Anbazu-no Shrine, which prays for maritime safety and bountiful catches, was held around Tsurushihama Fishing Port in Shinchi Town, Soma District, Fukushima Prefecture.
Locals affectionately call it “Ambasama.” Although it is normally held once every five years, it was canceled due to the earthquake disaster and took place for the first time in ten years.
I hope the traditional events and songs will continue to be passed down.
Wall-Plastering JinkuShoho Folk Song Association
The original song is said to come from the Fukushima folk song “Soma Jinku,” and it was given this name because it includes gestures that resemble the motions of plastering a wall.
In fact, the song itself also describes a husband and wife working together to plaster walls.
The call “Iccha icchane” represents the couple kneading wall mud with their feet.
The dance is also very unique, and this folk song was performed at banquets and drinking parties.