![[Warabe-uta] Beloved Classic Songs Passed Down Through Generations](https://i.ytimg.com/vi_webp/iRlAnMUgT14/maxresdefault.webp)
[Warabe-uta] Beloved Classic Songs Passed Down Through Generations
Nursery rhymes that have been passed down in Japan since long ago.
There are many types of nursery rhymes, including drawing songs, counting songs, and play songs.
Many of you probably sang and played games like Kagome Kagome and Hana Ichi Monme at least once when you were children.
In this article, we introduce popular nursery rhymes.
If you want to remember the nursery rhymes you sang as a child or enjoy them with your kids, be sure to give them a listen!
[Warabe-uta] Beloved Nostalgic Classics Passed Down in Song (1–10)
Song of the Resounding GrasslandsNEW!Lyrics by: Yuzuru Kubota; Music by: Aki Maruyama
This piece opens a series based on Mongolian folk tales.
Poet Yuzuru Kubota and composer Aki Maruyama joined forces, and it was first unveiled at a premiere concert held at the Nagoya Civic Hall in May 2000.
It was later formally published in September 2002 as the opening number in the score collection Aki Maruyama Song Collection [Supplement]: Suho’s White Horse.
The lyrics weave in images of a steppe where wind and light resonate, and its bright, easy-to-sing melody makes it accessible for children.
It works beautifully in many settings—sung alongside a story reading in schools or preschools, or used as an introductory piece for recitals and concerts.
horse (childish/affectionate term)NEW!Lyrics by Yanagiha Hayashi / Music by Tsune Matsushima
This piece portrays a foal walking clip-clop alongside its mother, set to a gentle rhythm.
Lyricist Yanaha Hayashi is said to have written the words based on the scene of a mare and foal he saw at the Imperial Stock Farm in Chiba, weaving the affection between animal mother and child in simple language.
Composer Tsune Matsushima aimed for a vocal range and phrasing that are easy for lower elementary grades to sing, and created accompaniment that is easy to play on keyboard or harmonica.
After being included in the February 1941 national school textbook “Uta no Hon, Upper,” it continued to be adopted in textbooks by various publishers after the war, and in 2007 it was selected for the “100 Best Japanese Songs.” It fits naturally into kindergarten and preschool choruses, and it’s easy to incorporate into fingerplay or instrumental ensembles.
If parents and children sing it together, they can have fun imitating the sound of hoofbeats.
Goodbye, ankoro mochi.
A playful wordplay centered on the traditional Japanese sweets “ankoro mochi” and “kinako,” imbued with the wish to meet again, leaves a strong impression.
By singing with hand games and gestures, it nurtures children’s creativity and communication skills.
In nursery schools and kindergartens, puppets are often used to perform it so that children can enjoy their farewell time.
Passed down for many years as a traditional song, this piece has been included in numerous childcare-related books and CDs as a teaching material that supports children’s emotional development.
It’s also a recommended song for parents and children to enjoy singing together while experiencing Japan’s traditional culture.
oshikura manju (a children’s pushing game)
This song is charming for its friendly melody and playful lyrics that use the image of manju buns.
Born from the wisdom of keeping warm, it has been passed down across generations as a game that shares warmth and smiles.
Beyond its value as a play song, it is deeply rooted in Japanese culture, even appearing in haiku as a winter season word.
On a cold winter day, if you sing it while actually doing oshikura manju—huddling and gently pushing each other—children will surely feel not only the warmth of skin, but also the joy of time spent with friends and family.
One, two, three, four, two, five
This traditional children’s song, beloved across generations, features a simple way to play: sing rhythmic number phrases while raising and bending your fingers.
It has been featured on NHK’s children’s program Nihongo de Asobo and is popular on video-sharing sites.
The piece has been carried forward in new forms by contemporary artists such as dmg’s “Ichi Ni San Shi” and Gen Hoshino’s “Ichi Ni San.” It’s a fun song you can enjoy with parents or friends while nurturing finger dexterity and a sense of rhythm.
Keep crossing the bridge one after another.
A song with simple lyrics and a rhythmic melody, sprinkled with elements that spark excitement and imagination as a fox appears.
It is included in many nursery rhyme collections, and picture books based on this song have also been published.
This piece is used for group play in kindergartens and nursery schools, where activities like holding hands to pass through a gate or cross a bridge help foster children’s cooperation and sense of rhythm.
Please experience this heartwarming song that you can sing and play together with someone special.
Pretty good.children’s song
This is a delightful piece that rhythmically combines movements of the hands and feet with singing.
If you move your hands and feet to the rhythm created by the call-and-response of “naka” (inside) and “soto” (outside), both body and heart naturally start to bounce.
Playing in a circle fosters children’s cooperation and sense of unity, spreading smiles—one of the work’s key charms.
It has long been loved in nurseries and kindergartens across ages, and in April 2020 it was selected for the “Top 100 Traditional Play Activities” by the Japan National Association of Nursery Teachers.
It’s a highly recommended song for those who want to interact with children and enjoy rhythm play.