Local stories from Tohoku

The well-known children's song was born in Fukushima! A deep look into the thoughts behind the lyrics and composition [Fukushima Prefecture]

Japanese children's songs are sung in various settings, such as music classes and at home . Even as adults, many people find that humming them evokes images of their hometown, and hearing them brings back memories of their childhood.

Among the many children's songs that are etched in the hearts of so many people, there are quite a few that have deep ties to the Tohoku region. This time, we 'll delve into some interesting facts about children's songs that have connections to Fukushima Prefecture

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

Dragonfly Glasses

Hirono Town in Futaba District is located on the Pacific coast of Fukushima Prefecture . It is characterized by a mild climate with little temperature variation throughout the year. Due to the long hours of sunshine throughout the year, the town has recently been engaged in banana cultivation using greenhouses and is also developing value-added products.

One of the children's songs associated with Hirono Town is " Tonbo no Megane " (Dragonfly's Glasses)

Seiji Nukaga , who wrote the lyrics for "Tonbo no Megane" (Dragonfly's Glasses), was a doctor who ran an internal medicine clinic in Hirono Town. He was passionate about creating children's songs, wanting to deliver songs that would give hope to the children of Japan after the war.

The setting for "Tonbo no Megane" (Dragonfly's Glasses)the Hokidaira district in Hirono Town. It is said that the story was inspired by what Mr. Nukaga saw while making house calls, watching children playing with dragonflies.

With lyrics by Ms. Nukaga, composerYasuzo Hiraicomposed the melody, completing "Tonbo no Megane" (Dragonfly's Glasses). When the song was broadcast on NHK radio, it spread throughout the country. In Tsukijigaoka Park in Hirono Town, there is a monument inscribed with the lyrics in the handwriting of the composer, Mr. Hirai.

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 – Dr. Seiji Nukaga, a doctor with a child's eye

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"

Morning on the Farm

Kagamiishi Town in Iwase District is located in the central part of Fukushima Prefecture . It is a town with a rural landscape where mountains can be seen in the distance and peaceful pastures stretch out before you. The rich soil, blessed by the Abukuma River, has provided a rich food culture since ancient times.

One children's song associated with Kagamiishi Town is " Morning at the Pasture ."

The lyrics of this song, which is considered one of the songs designated by the Japanese Ministry of Education, are said to be about Iwase Ranch in Kagamiishi Town

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

The lyricist of this song remained unknown for a long time, but it is now generally accepted that the lyricist was Sugimura Sojinkan . He was a journalist for the Asahi Shimbun and a renowned 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 – The song "Morning at the Pasture" and Kagamiishi ~From a lost song to a 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"

Summer Memories

Hinoemata Village in Minamiaizu District, Fukushima Prefecture, is famous as one of Japan's leading heavy snowfall areas. Surrounded by mountains over 2000 meters high, such as Mount Aizu-Komagatake, 98% of the village is covered in forests. A legend of the Heike fugitives, who settled there during the Genpei War in the 12th century,alsoremains, adding a mysterious side to the village…

Furthermore, the "Hinoemata Kabuki" passed down in the village is believed to have originated in the late Edo period and is designated as an important intangible folk cultural property of the prefecture.

Tohoku Rokken Trivia Media NEFT
What is Hinoemata Village, a hidden village where the locals pass on the art of Kabuki? [Fukushima Prefecture]
https://jp.neft.asia/archives/15477
Hinoemata Village is located in the southwesternmost part of Fukushima Prefecture, bordering Gunma, Tochigi, and Niigata Prefectures. Forests cover 98% of its total area of ​​approximately 340 square kilometers. With a population of about 550 (as of January 2020), it is also the village with the lowest population density in Japan. The Hinoemata Village Office is located at an altitude of approximately 939m, and in winter, it experiences up to 3m of snowfall, making it one of Japan's leading heavy snowfall areas, and it is also known as a hidden gem of Fukushima Prefecture. The Hinoemata settlement, with its striking red roofs nestled deep in the mountains ©Fukushima Travel. Hinoemata is the northern gateway to "Oze." Many hikers and tourists visit Hinoemata Village as a starting point for climbing Oze National Park from the north. ...
read more

Located at the border of Fukushima, Gunma, Niigata, and Tochigi prefectures,Oze National Parkis accessed via Hinoemata Village on the Fukushima Prefecture side. Registered under the Ramsar Convention in 2005, Oze is famous for its rich natural wetlands and continues to inspire awe in visitors.

One children's song associated with Hinoemata Village is " Summer Memories ."

The lyrics for "Summer Memories" were written by the poet Shoko Ema . She was commissioned to create an original song for broadcast on NHK Radio in 1947, after the end of the war, with the request for " a song full of 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

Articles that may be related to this article

Other articles