Folk songs, children's songs, and nursery rhymes of Iwate: the heart of the hometown passed down through song
It’s a region with many folk songs.
In other words, it proves that the local, deeply rooted culture has been closely connected with music.
Most of the songs are about seasonal events, and I felt they express a distinctly Japanese sense of aesthetics.
These days, I imagine there’s demand among foreigners who love Japan.
Be sure to check it out.
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Folk Songs, Children's Songs, and Nursery Rhymes of Iwate: The Heart of Our Hometown Passed Down in Song (21–30)
I found a little sign of autumn.BONNY JACKS
There is a lyricist connected to Iwate Prefecture named Hachiro Sato.
He wrote the lyrics to various children’s songs, and one of his best-known works is Chiisai Aki Mitsuketa (“I Found a Little Autumn”).
The inspiration for this song was a Japanese wax tree (hazenoki) that had been planted at Sato’s home.
His house has since been relocated and is now part of the Hachiro Sato Memorial Museum in Kitakami City.
Child of AutumnAyaka Nage
Like “Chiisai Aki Mitsuketa,” this is a children’s song by Hachiro Sato about autumn.
It carries a certain wistfulness, and you can almost picture the children each going about their own activities.
For children today who are used to automatic baths, the lyrics of the third verse might not quite resonate.
Nanbu Kijibiki-uta (Nanbu Woodcutters' Song)Kenzo Iwahana
There are several variants of the Kobiki-uta (woodcutter’s work songs) in Iwate Prefecture, but this particular song has been passed down in today’s Nishiwaga Town in Waga District.
Not only in Nishiwaga, but also in places across the prefecture such as Tono City and Shizukuishi Town, there were groups of craftsmen known as “migratory woodcutters” (watari kobiki).
This is a song they have handed down through the generations.
Nambu Yosare-bushiKaori Jō
This song originates from an episode when Nambu Nobunao attempted to capture Shizukuishi Castle, ruled by Shizukuishi Akitada.
It is said that when a Nambu clan spy tried to find out the location of the castle moat’s water intake, the wife of a local samurai realized he was the enemy and sang to deflect his questions—this became known as the Nambu Yosare-bushi.
Bush Clover Harvesting SongReiko Izumida
It is a folk song passed down in the southern part of Iwate Prefecture.
Before winter, people would cut the nutritious leaves of bush clover to store as horse feed.
It is said that this song was sung during that work.
Because the lyrics sound like inviting someone rather than singing alone, it might even have been sung on dates.
Esashi JinkuJuren-kai
It is said to be a song based on the “Jogi Ai-ya” handed down in Miyagi Prefecture, though there are alternative theories.
It has been sung during zashiki dances and Bon dances.
Also, on May 3 and 4 each year, the Esashi Jinku Festival is held in Oshu City, featuring a parade.
Sondeko-bushisoubiyamei
Shiode is a type of wild mountain vegetable, written in kanji as “牛尾菜.” Its dialectal form is “Sondeko.” The Sondeko-bushi is a song that men and women sang to each other while out in the mountains picking shiode.
It spread to other prefectures and became the origin of Akita Prefecture’s “Hideko-bushi.”