Folk songs, children’s songs, and nursery rhymes of Osaka: the enduring spirit of our hometown carried on in song
In this article, we feature folk songs and children’s songs related to Osaka!Osaka has long been a key hub of logistics, situated at the confluence of busy sea routes and rivers.
Because of that, Osaka’s folk repertoire includes pieces like the Yodogawa boat songs that evoke its deep history.
At the same time, there are newer tunes that symbolize contemporary Osaka, such as the Harukas Ondo inspired by Abeno Harukas.
Listen to the folk and children’s songs of Osaka—once called the “nation’s kitchen”—and immerse yourself in its long, rich history!
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Folk songs, children's songs, and nursery rhymes of Osaka: The enduring heart of our hometown (21–30)
Nozaki Kouta
One of Daito City’s local signature songs is Nozaki Kouta.
First recorded by Taro Shoji in 1934, it has since been sung by many artists, including Hibari Misora.
The lyrics are inspired by Nozaki-mairi, a pilgrimage tradition at Jigenji Temple in the area.
Nozaki-mairi has served not only as the theme of this song but also as a setting or subject in bunraku puppet theater and Kamigata rakugo.
Kawachi Ondo
There’s even a lyric that says, “The Kawachi Ondo that has been sung for 700 years—let’s sing it with all our heart,” so perhaps it began in the late Kamakura to early Muromachi period.
Originating in North and Central Kawachi in Osaka, it is a folk song that still represents Osaka today and is a standard piece for Bon Odori in the summer, regardless of region.
Kishiwada OndoKiyoko Suizenji
Created in 1972 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Kishiwada’s city status, the “Kishiwada Ondo” features many familiar local elements in its lyrics, such as Kishiwada Castle, the Danjiri festival, lumber merchants, and the Ushitaki Hot Springs.
Sung with Shoko Suizenji’s powerful voice, it’s a bright, lively ondo.
Dyer’s mouse
It’s a song you play using a child’s arms.
Similar hand-play songs with different lyrics can be found in other regions as well.
Even if the words differ, the desire of parents to entertain their children is the same.
The variations in lyrics give a glimpse into local customs and environments, which is quite interesting.
It also feels a bit similar to “Ippon-bashi Kochokocho.”
A small Buddha in the middle of the middle
Similar to the game “Kagome Kagome,” children hold hands to form a circle, and a blindfolded “little Buddha” stands inside it.
The children walk around while singing a chant.
When the song ends and they crouch down, the little Buddha catches one of them and guesses their name; the person who is guessed correctly becomes the next little Buddha.
It is a play song used for this game.
king (shogi piece)Hideo Murata
“Osho” — and no, not the Chinese restaurant, but the classic number by the great Hideo Murata.
This song, modeled after the famed Osaka shogi player Sankata Sankichi, became a massive hit when it was released in 1961, selling over 1.
5 million copies.
The lyrics were penned by poet Yaso Saijo, also known for writing children’s songs such as “Kanariya” and “Katatataki.”
Osaka Genki OndoShohei Nariyo
A bon dance song created in 2005 to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the NHK Osaka Broadcasting Station.
At the time, if you turned on NHK in Osaka, you would hear this song almost every day.
It’s a bright and energetic piece that evokes the image of spirited Osakans charging ahead in Osaka dialect no matter where they are in the world.
The song is performed by folk singer Shohei Naruse, whose vibrato-rich vocals are brimming with vitality.