[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!
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[Warabe-uta] Beloved nostalgic songs passed down through generations (11–20)
Denderaryubachildren’s song
Denderaryūba is a slightly complex and entertaining hand game.
With a mysterious sound that feels like a regional dialect, this piece is a traditional children’s song that has been passed down in Nagasaki Prefecture.
To the chant-like lyrics, you rhythmically change combinations of your knuckles, thumb, and index finger on the palm of your other hand.
Start at a slow pace, and once you can move smoothly, gradually increase the speed.
If you can play it through without mistakes, it’s sure to feel very satisfying.
From inside the bamboo grove
A simple yet rhythmic melody, combined with hand-play and rock-paper-scissors, makes this an ideal song for nurturing children’s imagination and sense of rhythm.
In educational settings, it also helps improve communication skills, and its appeal spans all ages.
Passed down orally, the piece features subtle regional variations that reflect local character and culture—an interesting point in itself.
It is widely used in nursery schools and kindergartens and is beloved as a staple for hand-play songs and rock-paper-scissors games.
Bamboo shoots are sprouting.children’s song
A traditional Japanese play song that evokes the arrival of spring.
The choreography lets children use their whole bodies: bringing both hands together above the head to show a sprout pushing up from the ground, or spreading their arms wide to mimic a flower in bloom.
It’s also interesting that the way it’s played varies slightly by region.
As children move their hands and bodies to the rhythm, smiles naturally appear—making this familiar warabe-uta a comforting song that eases the anxieties of kids facing new environments.
It’s a perfect piece for nurturing healthy growth and rich emotional development.
one bamboo shootchildren’s song
Perfect for the spring season, this song is a traditional children’s rhyme that has been loved for generations.
Its simple lyrics and the playful format—dividing into an ogre role and a bamboo shoot role—are especially appealing.
Because you move your body while singing, it’s great for developing a sense of rhythm and cooperation.
It’s also used in early childhood education settings, and videos explaining how to play are available.
Sing and play energetically outdoors with family and friends, and you’re sure to enjoy the springtime mood even more.
Why not raise your voices together and feel the arrival of spring?
The Full Moon Man’s mochi poundingchildren’s song
One person takes the role of pounding the mochi, and the other kneads it, singing while clapping their hands.
For the kneading role, it’s important to move their hands rhythmically so they don’t get caught and hit by the pounding role’s hands.
Take turns switching roles and have fun.
One crow
It is a traditional Japanese children’s song that is also known as a jump-rope rhyme.
Characterized by a simple melody and lyrics that incorporate animal sounds, it is popular in children’s play and educational settings.
By singing while jumping rope, this work also has an educational aspect that helps children enjoyably learn rhythm and the concept of numbers.
In addition to being fun for families, it is a song highly valued in early childhood education and will likely continue to be loved for a long time to come.
[Warabe-uta] Beloved nostalgic songs passed down through generations (21–30)
lazyboneschildren’s song
The children’s song passed down in Saga Prefecture features horsetail shoots as a theme, heralding the arrival of spring.
The lyrics, which sound as if they’re calling out to the horsetail peeking out from the soil, leave a strong impression.
There are many ways to enjoy it, such as swaying together as a parent and child or playing with cloth.
Reflecting the region’s culture, it’s a precious tradition that has been handed down across generations.
It also encourages contact with springtime nature and may help foster a sense of rhythm and language development.
It’s a lovely nursery rhyme that expresses the wish for children’s healthy growth.