Folk songs, children’s songs, and nursery rhymes of Kumamoto: the enduring spirit of our hometown passed down through song.
Kumamoto has served as the setting for folk songs and children’s songs known throughout Japan, such as Otemoyan and Itsuki no Komoriuta.
These works vividly portray the grandeur of Aso’s natural landscape, the majestic figure of Kumamoto Castle, and the rhythms of everyday life.
From Taharabanzaka, which conveys the sorrow of the Satsuma Rebellion, to Higo Kome Ondo, which celebrates a bountiful harvest, each folk song passed down through the generations is deeply etched with Kumamoto’s history and culture.
In this article, we have gathered folk songs, children’s songs, and nursery rhymes from Kumamoto, imbued with love for the homeland and the joys of daily life.
Let us lend an ear to the world of song where the spirit of Kumamoto resides.
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Kumamoto folk songs, children’s songs, and nursery rhymes: The heart of our hometown handed down in song (1–10)
Yatsushiro Ozaya-bushi
This folk song, handed down in the Yatsushiro area of Kumamoto, is said to have its roots in the work songs of people engaged in land reclamation.
The lively tones woven by shamisen, flute, and drums convey the robust breath of life of those times to the present day.
A cassette tape version featuring Ryoko Soga’s vocals was released in February 2006, and in October 2019 impressionist singer Yoko Aramaki released a cover on her album “Kumamoto Folk Songs Vol.
1 (Hometown of the Heart: Japanese Folk Songs).” The piece remains beloved at regional cultural events today.
The soulful voices of those who survived difficult times will surely resonate in your heart.
Yoheho-bushi
The “Yoheho-bushi” is a folk song passed down in Yamaga City, Kumamoto Prefecture.
On summer nights, the entire town of Yamaga is wrapped in a magical glow as women gather with traditional Yamaga paper lanterns balanced on their heads.
Watching them dance gracefully to the lyrical Yoheho-bushi makes me feel as if I’m seeing Yamaga of days gone by.
TabaruzakaKumamoto Tokikichi
The Kumamoto folk song “Tabaruzaka” is read as “Tabaruzaka.” Tabaruzaka, located in Ueki Town, Kamoto District at the northwestern edge of Kumamoto Prefecture—now part of Kita Ward, Kumamoto City—is an old battlefield of the Satsuma Rebellion and has been designated a national historic site.
Another well-known folk song about the Satsuma Rebellion is “Gōketsu-bushi.” Although the lyrics are the same for both songs, the melodies differ.
Folk songs, children's songs, and nursery rhymes of Kumamoto: The heart of our hometown passed down in song (11–20)
Ushibuka Haiya-bushiTakio Ito
This is the folk song “Ushibuka Haiya-bushi” from Ushibuka in Kumamoto Prefecture, now part of Amakusa City.
It has been sung since the Edo period and is famous as the original version of the Haiya-bushi that spread to over 40 places nationwide.
“Haiya” means “south wind.” In Kyushu, it used to be called “Hae no kaze” (fly wind), and from “hae” it became “haeya,” eventually changing to “haiya.”
Higo, 540,000 kokuFujimoto Fumiyoshi
This is Higo 540,000 Koku, a new folk song of Kumamoto Prefecture with lyrics by Ujō Noguchi and music by Yoshiaki Ōmura.
In the Edo period, the Kumamoto Domain—which spanned most of Higo Province excluding Kuma and Amakusa Districts, as well as three districts of Bungo Province—was established at 540,000 koku.
The song celebrates Lord Katō Kiyomasa, who built up this 540,000-koku domain, Kumamoto Castle, and the strong-willed character of those born in Kumamoto.
Song of the Land of FireKumamoto Children's Choir
Written by Yo Mine (lyrics) and Hideo Kobayashi (music), this work is a commissioned piece by the Kumamoto Children’s Choir titled “Suite for Children’s Chorus: Songs of the Land of Fire.” Composed of three songs—“The Castle Is a Renowned Fortress,” “Old Tales of Higo,” and “Aso”—it vividly evokes the scenery and history of Kumamoto as if unfolding before your eyes.
Raised in the Land of FireHisao Ito
This is a new folk song from Kumamoto Prefecture titled “Hino Kuni Sodachi” (Raised in the Land of Fire).
The lyrics are by Ujō Noguchi and the music by Yoshinao Ōmura.
It was recorded on the B-side of the record “Higo Gojūyonmangoku,” but despite both songs having the same lyricist and composer, this “Hino Kuni Sodachi” has been almost entirely forgotten.