Kyoto’s folk songs, children’s songs, and nursery rhymes: the enduring spirit of our hometown passed down through song.
A special feature on folk songs and nursery rhymes from Kyoto Prefecture, one of Japan’s premier tourist destinations and home to countless historic sites.
Kyoto has long been a stage for history and is rich in diverse cultures.
Even within the category of “folk songs,” the periods in which they were created vary widely, and there are many genres of songs that reflect local lands and customs.
If you’re a local, many of these may ring a bell.
And if you live in the Kansai region, you might even encounter songs whose melodies are the same but whose lyrics differ.
Shall we unravel Kyoto’s history through its songs?
Kyoto’s folk songs, children’s songs, and nursery rhymes: The heart of our hometown passed down in song (1–10)
geta-kakushi (hiding wooden clogs); literally “geta hiding.” Often refers to a niche or cupboard for storing geta sandals, or to the act/design of concealing geta.
The children gather and each takes off one shoe and lines them up.
One of them sings this song while pointing to the shoes one by one.
When the song ends, the owner of the shoe being pointed at becomes “it.” While “it” closes their eyes and counts to 100, everyone hides their shoe.
It’s a play song for a game where “it” then has to find everyone’s shoes.
Tango Chirimen Folk Song
Tango Chirimen Kouta was created to promote Tango chirimen, a post-dyed fabric produced in the Tango region of northern Kyoto.
As a promotional song, it passionately conveys the message: “Tango chirimen is truly wonderful, so please gift it to charming, lovely people or to brides-to-be.” Not only is it known as a geisha-house song, but it’s also danced to at festivals.
When you visit Tango, why not wear a kimono or yukata made of Tango chirimen and dance to Tango Chirimen Kouta?
The Great Buddha of Kyoto
It’s a children’s playground song, like “Tōryanse” or “Kagome Kagome,” that sings about the Great Buddha of Kyoto.
Long ago, at a place called Hōkō-ji in Kyoto, there was said to be a Great Buddha even larger than the one at Tōdai-ji in Nara.
It was destroyed in a mysterious fire, then rebuilt, only to be lost to fire again.
It’s a nursery rhyme with strong mystery elements and many unanswered questions.
Ushiwakamaru
One of the bridges over Kyoto’s Kamo River, the Gojo Bridge, is famous for the legendary encounter between Ushiwakamaru—later known as Minamoto no Yoshitsune—and Benkei.
The children’s song “Ushiwakamaru” depicts the scene of their meeting.
It has even been used as a departure melody for Keihan Limited Express trains.
In the story, Benkei charges at Ushiwakamaru wielding a naginata, but Ushiwakamaru deftly evades him, and no matter how many attacks follow, he continues to dodge them with lightning speed.
As you follow the lyrics, you can almost see their elegant duel unfold before your eyes.
Marutake Ebisu
Kyoto’s streets are famous for forming a grid.
You can describe locations just by using the names of the north–south and east–west streets along with the words “agaru” (go up/north), “sagaru” (go down/south), “nishi-iru” (enter to the west), and “higashi-iru” (enter to the east).
There’s even a song that lists those north–south and east–west streets.
Since many street names are a bit unusual, I bet lots of people learned them this way when they were kids.
Gion Little Song
Gion Kouta features a variety of Kyoto’s scenic views.
The refined tones of the shamisen evoke the atmosphere of a teahouse in Gion, Kyoto.
The lyrics, which have verses one through four, each depict Kyoto in one of the four seasons.
Within each scene are descriptions that bring to mind the figure of a maiko.
Both the lyrics and the melody convey the ambiance of Gion’s hanamachi throughout the piece, making you feel as if you’re strolling gracefully through the streets of Gion.
Listening to the song makes you want to experience Gion’s seasonal landscapes right away.
Takeda Lullaby
Takeda Lullaby is a folk song from Kyoto Prefecture that has been sung by various artists, including Off Course, Yoshimi Tendo, and Yo Hitoto.
Although its gentle, unhurried melody may make it sound like a tender song, the lyrics depict the painful, heartrending circumstances of a child sent out to work, struggling with childcare duties at their place of service.
There are no days off; the baby they look after hardly ever stops crying; they cannot even wear the clothes they like.
.
.
The song weaves a sincere longing: it’s hard, I want to go back to my own home.
The “Takeda” in the title is said to refer to the Takeda area located in Fushimi Ward, Kyoto City.