Everyone knows "that nursery rhyme" was born in Fukushima! A deep dive into the thoughts contained in lyrics and music writing [Fukushima Prefecture]

Japanese children's songs are sung in various settings, such as music classes and at home . Even as adults, many of us may recall scenes from our hometowns when we hum these songs, or pages from our childhood memories when we hear them.

Among the children's songs that remain in the hearts of so many people, there are many that have a deep connection to Tohoku. This time, we will delve into trivia about children's songs that have a connection to Fukushima Prefecture

Hirono Town: The birthplace of the children's song "Dragonfly's Glasses"

Hirono Town in Futaba County is located on the Pacific coast of Fukushima Prefecture . The town is characterized by a mild climate with little temperature difference throughout the year. With long hours of sunshine throughout the year, in recent years they have been working on growing bananas in greenhouses, and are also promoting the development of 6th generation products.

One of the children's songs that has a connection to Hirono Town is Tonbo no Megane (Dragonfly's Glasses

for "Tonbo no Megane," Seishi Nukaga , was a doctor who ran an internal medicine clinic in Hirono Town. He was also passionate about writing children's songs, hoping to deliver songs that inspire dreams to the children of post-war Japan.

The setting for "Dragonfly Glasses" the Hokidaira district of Hirono Town . It is said that the motif for the story was inspired by the sight of children playing with dragonflies that Nukaga saw while on a house call.

Kozo Hirai to Nukaga's lyrics and completed "Tonbo no Megane." When the song was broadcast on NHK radio, it spread throughout the country. At Tsukijigaoka Park in Hirono Town, there is a monument to the song inscribed in the writing of Hirai, the composer.

The simple lyrics contain Mr. Nukaga's hopes for the future of children. The deep empathy he feels for these feelings may be the reason why "Tonbo no Megane" has continued to be sung to this day

Link: Hirono Town Official Website – Seiji Nukaga, a doctor with children's eyes

Dragonfly's Glasses Monument ＜information＞

• Name: Dragonfly Glasses Monument
• Address: Tsukijigaoka Park, Shimoasamigawa, Hirono-cho, Futaba-gun, Fukushima Prefecture, 979-0403

Google Map

Kagamiishi Town: The birthplace of "Morning on the Farm"

Kagamiishi Town, Iwase County is located in the center of Fukushima Prefecture . The town is surrounded by rural landscapes with distant mountains and tranquil pastures. The rich soil, blessed by the Abukuma River, has given rise to a rich food culture since ancient times.

One of the children's songs associated with Kagamiishi Town is Morning on the Pasture

The lyrics of this song, which is one of Japan's Ministry of Education songs, are said to be about Iwase Ranch

Iwase Farm was established as Japan's first Western-style farm , and imported 13 dairy cows and farm equipment from the Netherlands. This bronze bell was sent as a token of friendship at that time.

The author of this song was unknown for a long time, but it is now Sugimura Sojinkan , a journalist for the Asahi Shimbun newspaper and a well-known writer.

"Morning at the Farm" was introduced as an elementary school song in 1932, and was also broadcast on the NHK program "Minna no Uta" in 1968. Currently, "Morning at the Farm" is the town's symbol song, and the melody rings out throughout the town twice a day

Link: Kagamiishi Town Official Website – Song “Morning at the Pasture” and Kagamiishi ~Until the phantom song becomes the town song~

Iwase Ranch <information>

• Name: Iwase Ranch
• Address: 225 Sakuramachi, Kagamiishi-machi, Iwase-gun, Fukushima Prefecture, 969-0401
• Phone number: 024-862-6789
• Business hours: 9:00-16:00
• Official URL: https://iwasefarm.studio.site/

Google Map

Hieda Village: A place associated with "Summer Memories"

Hinoemata Village in Minamiaizu County, Fukushima Prefecture , is famous for being one of Japan's snowiest areas. Surrounded by 2,000-meter-high mountains such as Mount Aizu-Komagatake, 98% of the village is covered in forests and fields. The village also has a mysterious side, with the legend of the Heike no Ochudo

Additionally, the village's " Hinoemata Kabuki " is said to have originated in the late Edo period and has been designated an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property by the prefecture.

Tohoku Rokken Trivia Media NEFT

What is Hinouegi Village, a hidden village where villagers pass on kabuki? [Fukushima Prefecture]

https://jp.neft.asia/archives/15477

Hinoemata Village is a mountain village located in the southwesternmost part of Fukushima Prefecture, bordering Gunma, Tochigi, and Niigata prefectures. Its area is approximately 340 square kilometers, 98% of which is forest land. With a population of approximately 550 (as of January 2020), it is the least densely populated village in Japan. The Hinoemata Village Office is located at an elevation of approximately 939 meters, and the area experiences heavy snowfall of up to 3 meters in winter, making it known as Fukushima Prefecture's most remote area. The striking red-roofed Hinoemata village nestled deep in the mountains. ©Fukushima Travel. Hinoemata is the northern gateway to Oze. Hinoemata Village is the northern gateway to Oze National Park, attracting many climbers and tourists. Oze is home to Mount Hiuchigatake, the highest peak in the Tohoku region...

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Located on the border of Fukushima, Gunma, Niigata, and Tochigi prefectures, Oze National Park has Hinoemata Village as its gateway from the Fukushima side. Registered under the Ramsar Convention in 2005, Oze's landscape, famous for its rich natural wetlands, continues to impress those who see it.

One of the children's songs associated with Hinoemata Village is Summer Memories

The lyrics for "Summer Memories" were written by Akiko Ema She was commissioned to write song filled with dreams and hope

For Ema, who spent his childhood in Iwate Prefecture, the skunk cabbage flower signaled the arrival of summer. When he visited Oze in search of food during the war, the sight of the skunk cabbage spreading all over the place brought back childhood memories, and the scene was burned into his memory. From then on, the skunk cabbage became a flower that evoked hope for Ema

The resulting song, "Summer Memories," captured people's hearts with its beautiful phrases, and became a classic song that is still sung to this day

Summer Memories Poetry Monument <information>

• Name: Summer Memories Poetry Monument
• Address: 124-6 Hidari, Hinoemata Village, Minamiaizu District, Fukushima Prefecture, 967-0500

Google Map

Children's songs are filled with affection for the local area

This time, we delved deeper into children's songs that have ties to Fukushima

"Dragonfly's Glasses" was born in Hirono Town, "Morning at the Pasture" was born in Kagamiishi Town, Iwase County, and "Summer Memories" was born in Hinoemata Village. Each of these children's songs depicts the beautiful scenery of Fukushima. When you visit the places associated with each of these songs, be sure to hum along and experience the scenes that the lyricists and composers felt

Motoharu Kahashi

Female in her 30s/Fukushima Prefecture/Writer who writes about the region, gourmet food, women's lifestyle, etc.