Lullabies: children's songs, folk songs, and nursery rhymes. Nostalgic songs for putting children to sleep.

Echigo Lullaby

Masako Kosugi Lullaby of Echigo

This Echigo lullaby, a lullaby from the coastal area of the former Kubiki District in Niigata Prefecture, has also been sung by Peggy Hayama and Michiya Mihashi, but it has become less commonly heard in recent years.

From the lyrics, you can almost see the sea of Niigata; it’s that kind of song.

In this way, across Japan, local lullabies—akin to local theme songs—may have been born and then faded away.

They may not fit the times now, but I can’t help wishing they would continue to be sung from parent to child for generations.

Pretty good.children’s song

Hiroba 2018 July Issue: “It’s time for movement play!” Nakana Ka Hoi! (traditional 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.

Takeda Lullaby

Akai Tori — Takeda Lullaby (Takeda no Komoriuta)

This is a lullaby that was passed down in a marginalized (burakumin) community located in what is now Kyoto Prefecture.

Although it was performed by folk groups and singers such as Red Bird, it was banned from broadcast for a long time, and only fairly recently began to be featured on radio and television.

Perhaps for that reason, the song’s lyrics themselves have been significantly altered from the original.

Go to sleep now.

Sleep now (Bungo Lullaby) — a children's folk song from Oita Prefecture

This is a lullaby passed down since old times in Bungo, Oita Prefecture.

It is sung to a baby who wakes up before dawn and has trouble falling back asleep.

The lyrics mean, “Go to sleep; it’s not morning yet… When morning comes, the temple bell will ring.”

Iwaya’s Lullaby

Akita Lullaby (Iwaya Village)

The Iwaya Lullaby is a lullaby that once existed in Akita Prefecture, originating from the former village of Iwaya.

It is known as a traditional lullaby of Iwaya Village, which corresponds to today’s Yurihonjō City in Akita Prefecture.

The lyrics are heavily accented in the Akita dialect, making them difficult to translate.

The content is rather somber, featuring the resentful tone typical of lullabies from that era.

From the lyrics, you can tell it was created by young nursemaids who had been sent to serve, and it expresses the desire to quit this line of work.

Daikoku-sama

Daikoku-sama — A Lullaby from Shizuoka Prefecture

The Shizuoka folk song Daikokusama has been passed down in Shizuoka Prefecture as a ball-bouncing song, and its lyrics—modeled after Daikokusama, the god of good fortune—form a counting song from one to ten.

It’s an extremely lively tune that conjures up images of children from that time bouncing balls to the rhythm.

It’s also considered very auspicious, and the lyrics themselves leave a pleasant feeling as they express gratitude for the deeds of the god of fortune.

In Shizuoka, some people say they heard this song from their grandfathers, and it remains a deeply rooted lullaby.