Niigata’s folk songs, children’s songs, and nursery rhymes: the heart of our hometown passed down in song
Niigata Prefecture is known for hosting traditional Bon dances and festivals, as well as for its large area of rice cultivation and high yields.
We’ve selected many folk songs and children’s songs related to Niigata, including pieces themed around Sado Island.
Folk songs, which are often performed at festivals, convey a lively, festive atmosphere through their rhythmic sounds.
It’s also recommended to explore the background behind songs like “Sado Okesa,” which are beloved across Japan.
Be sure to listen to the folk and children’s songs that showcase the charm of each region of Niigata.
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Niigata folk songs, children's songs, and nursery rhymes: The heart of our hometown passed down in song (1–10)
Yoneyama Jinku
The Niigata folk song “Yoneyama Jinku,” imbued with heartfelt spirit, captivates listeners with its rhythmic melody and emotionally rich lyrics.
Particularly popular in Tokyo during the mid-Meiji period and beloved nationwide by geisha singers in the early Showa era, this piece remains vibrant today, passed down by many without losing its luster.
A historic song living on in the present is truly a cultural treasure.
Interwoven with the natural beauty and culture of Niigata, “Yoneyama Jinku” is also recommended for those who wish to feel a deep sense of hometown pride.
Echigo Funakata-bushi
Echigo Funakata-bushi paints heartwarming scenes of Niigata through sound.
This piece evokes a deep sense of nostalgia in listeners, as if the region’s rich nature and the rhythms of everyday life were seamlessly intertwined.
Cherished to this day, it strongly reflects the area’s culture and history.
Its rhythmic melody conjures images of Niigata’s abundant landscapes—the beat feels like a homeland for the heart.
It’s especially recommended when you want to feel a longing for home or the charm of your hometown, or if you’re interested in the vividly colored climate and character of Niigata Prefecture.
Niitsu in Four SeasonsChiyoko Shimakura
Chiyoko Shimakura’s “Four Seasons of Niitsu,” imbued with the spirit of Niigata Prefecture, is a beautiful melody that feels as if it paints the very scenery of its hometown.
Its quiet yet powerful tune evokes the image of “Sado Okesa,” born in 1923 and still beloved by many today.
As listeners recall nostalgic landscapes, this song will cleanse the heart with the nature of Niigata and the kindness of its people.
Especially for those filled with hometown pride, it is sure to be a deeply moving piece!
Folk songs, children’s songs, and nursery rhymes of Niigata: The heart of our hometown passed down in song (11–20)
Sado OkesaBunzō Murata
Sado Okesa originated from the “Haiya-bushi” that was born at the port of Ushibuka in Kumamoto Prefecture.
Carried by Kitamaebune trading ships, it was brought to Ogi, the gateway to Sado, where the courtesans of Ogi began singing it as a lively drinking song.
In Echigo as well, “Haiya-bushi” was adopted, and a song called “Okesa” was created and became popular, which is said to be why people on Sado also came to call it “Okesa.”
Song of the Third-Floor (Sankai-bushi)Murakami Family, Shimeka
This is Sankai-bushi, a Bon dance song handed down in the Kashiwazaki area of Niigata Prefecture.
Around 1828 (the 11th year of the Bunsei era), Yasshome-bushi, which was popular in the three major cities, was brought to Kashiwazaki.
Because each verse is sung three times, it came to be called “Sankai-bushi” (literally, “three-times song”), and the characters were applied accordingly.
It was later adopted into the entertainment quarters and evolved into a parlor song.
Izumozaki O-kesa
Izumozaki Okesa was sung by courtesans entertaining sailors at drinking gatherings.
Izumozaki, the birthplace of Ryōkan, a Sōtō Zen monk from the late Edo period, once prospered alongside Teradomari as a port for crossing to Sado, and it is said to have been sung during that time.
Nanaura Jinku
The Niigata Sado Island song “Nanaura Jinku,” which weaves together the spirit of the region, is distinguished by its beautiful lyrics that, while down-to-earth, celebrate the fresh vitality of nature and everyday local life.
Through this piece, listeners can sense the offshore lights floating on the sea and the area’s unique climate and culture.
Its emotionally rich melody and lyrics that color the lives of Sado’s residents continue to be cherished by many.
Let yourself be carried by its regionally flavored rhythm, and you’ll feel a surge of excitement as if joining a festival circle.
Brimming with local pride, this work is a perfect song for listeners who want to rediscover the charms of Niigata.