A classic song that sings of Shiga. The enduring spirit of our hometown passed down through song.

Lake Biwa, Glasses, and YouMow Mow Lulu Gyaban

Lake Biwa, Glasses, and You / Mowmow LuLu Gyaban

This is the first track from Mow Mow LuLu Gyaban’s album with the unusual title “Noguchi, Blown to Bits in Kuzugawa.” I hear that Noguchi refers to their original drummer.

Sung from the perspective of “me,” who apparently just got dumped by you, it’s a powerful Lake Biwa anthem with provocative, striking lyrics right from the start.

Kuzugawa, in the album title, is also a pretty local spot in Kyoto, which suggests a deep love for the Kansai region.

Musically, it’s an addictive track with a cool, throbbing bass line from the bassist, T-Margarita.

Nagahama Spring and AutumnYasumi Miyazawa and The Buttz

Nagahama Spring and Autumn (Song of the Biwako Nagahama Kannon Pilgrimage) Live

The Oku-Biwa Kannon Pilgrimage in Nagahama City, Shiga Prefecture, is a sightseeing spot where you can encounter numerous Kannon statues.

Not a single statue bears the same expression, and you can feel the depth of history in each one.

The Buddhist statue band Masumi Miyazawa and The Buttz express that worldview with instruments like the shamisen in their work “Nagahama Shunju.”

Gyutto-chan Theme SongRenka

Gyugyuu Gyutto-chan

The event “Beef Summit,” held under the slogan “Energizing Japan from Shiga!”, showcased Shiga Prefecture, which is nationally famous for Omi beef.

Amid the excitement, this PR song by the laid-back mascot Gyuutto-chan made its debut.

It somehow makes wagyu feel more familiar.

childbirthAya Shimazu

A Childbirth Song by Aya Shimazu

This song tells the story of Osan and Mohei from Chikamatsu Monzaemon’s jōruri The Almanac Maker, who were executed for adultery.

In the past, when a woman committed adultery and fled, a retaliatory act called “onnakoguchi” (woman-enemy shooting) was permitted, and both the man involved and the wife would be punished.

By contrast, a husband’s infidelity was not considered a crime… It was that kind of unjust era.

In the depths of despair… it sings of the resolve to throw oneself into Kyoto’s Takase River or Lake Biwa.

Hiei OroshiHitoshi Komuro

Hitoshi Komuro - Song of the Hiei Oroshi Wind

While “Rokko Oroshi” is known as the Hanshin Tigers’ cheering song, this piece is a folk song sung by Hitoshi Komuro, who was the leader of the group Rokumonsen at the time.

Perhaps because the lyricist-composer Seigow Matsuoka studied French literature, the first half of the lyrics is very chic.

And the second half shines with dialect.

Listening while imagining the feelings of the two characters who appear in it, I found it to be a very captivating song.

It’s a song that spans Kyoto and Shiga.

Please take your time and listen closely.

Gōshū OndoChikako Kamegai

Gōshū Ondo

Gōshū Ondo is a folk song that has been handed down in Shiga Prefecture since ancient times and is sometimes used for Bon Odori in the Kinki region.

Shiga was once called Ōmi, but because it was also referred to as Gōshū, the title Gōshū Ondo was chosen.

Unlike dances that follow the rhythm of instruments, Gōshū Ondo is danced or accompanied by instruments in time with the singing of a lead chanter called the ondotori.

The performance begins with call-and-response with the ondotori and progresses by gradually unifying the venue.

Osaka’s Kawachi Ondo is said to have been influenced by this Gōshū Ondo.

Hikone BayashiGinji Nakazawa, Miharu Otsuka

Hikone Bayashi Mass Dance Festival

Hikone Bayashi is a dance song performed in the summer in Hikone City.

The lyrics praise Hikone Castle, the city’s symbol, and the 350,000-koku domain of Naosuke Ii, the 15th lord of the Hikone domain.

As a song of praise, its melody is brilliant and conveys a festive mood that invites everyone to dance together.

At the dance festival held since 1960, people in a variety of costumes dance beneath vibrant Tanabata decorations.

It’s a lively tune that makes you want to join in, even if you’re not from Shiga Prefecture.