Scary Nursery Rhymes
怖い童歌
"Who is behind you?"
Comparative to children's songs found in Western cultures, Japanese nursery rhymes often include a note of foreboding or have hints to horrific incidents from the past. These songs continue to be used in everyday life of Japan, often without knowledge of the origins.
Toryanse
とりゃんせ/通りゃんせ
とりゃんせ/通りゃんせ
Toryanse touches on the perils of being a child in yesteryear Japan. Disease and accidents often cut young lives short; in modern Japan the celebration of reaching an age milestone is observed (3, 5, 7 years old - also knows as 'Shichi-Go-San').
Toryanse can be heard at pedestrian crossings to warn children of danger and to alert people with visual difficulties when to walk.
Toryanse can be heard at pedestrian crossings to warn children of danger and to alert people with visual difficulties when to walk.
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通りゃんせ 通りゃんせ
ここはどこの 細通じゃ 天神さまの 細道じゃちっと通して 下しゃんせ 御用のないもの 通しゃせぬこの子の七つの お祝いに お札を納めに まいります 行きはよいよい 帰りはこわいこわいながらも 通りゃんせ 通りゃんせ |
Let me pass, let me pass,
What is this narrow pathway here? It's the narrow pathway of the Tenjin shrine, Please allow me to pass through, Those without good reason shall not pass, To celebrate this child's 7th birthday, I've come to dedicate my offering, Going in will be fine, fine, but returning will be scary, It's scary but, Let me pass, let me pass. |
Teru-Teru-Bouzu
てるてるぼうず/照る照る坊主
てるてるぼうず/照る照る坊主
Often heard in kindergartens on rainy days, Teru-Teru-Bouzu's story is widely known for its gory origins.
Once upon a time farmers were struggling with the decay and rot which accompanied a season of harsh rain. In hopes of bringing peace to the issue, a monk was hired to clear the skies. Upon failure, it is said the monk was executed through decapitation. There are further theories that the monk's head was wrapped in white cloth and hung outside in warning.
Once upon a time farmers were struggling with the decay and rot which accompanied a season of harsh rain. In hopes of bringing peace to the issue, a monk was hired to clear the skies. Upon failure, it is said the monk was executed through decapitation. There are further theories that the monk's head was wrapped in white cloth and hung outside in warning.
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てるてるぼうず、てるぼうず
明日天気にしてをくれ いつかの夢の空のよに 晴れたら金の鈴あげよ てるてるぼうず、てるぼうず 明日天気にしてをくれ 私の願いを聞いたなら 甘いお酒をたんと飲ましょ てるてるぼうず、てるぼうず 明日天気にしてをくれ それでも曇って泣いてたら そなたの首をちょんと切るぞ |
Teru-teru-bozu, teru bozu
Do make tomorrow a sunny day Like the sky in a dream sometime If it's sunny I'll give you a golden bell Teru-teru-bozu, teru bozu Do make tomorrow a sunny day If you make my wish come true We'll drink lots of sweet sake Teru-teru-bozu, teru bozu Do make tomorrow a sunny day but if it's cloudy and I find you crying Then I shall snip your head off |
Kagome Kagome
かごめかごめ
かごめかごめ
Kagome Kagome remains as a popular song for children to sing despite the implications of the urban legend being well known.
It is believed the lyrics are symbolism for a pregnant woman waiting for her baby to birth, which ends in tragedy when an accident occurs and the baby perishes. Another interpretation often used by children in games is someone wishes to bring harm to the mother and unborn child; when the baby dies through an impact force, the mother must find out who the attacker was.
The urban legend states singing this song will encourage a miscarriage or aid in a successful abortion.
It is believed the lyrics are symbolism for a pregnant woman waiting for her baby to birth, which ends in tragedy when an accident occurs and the baby perishes. Another interpretation often used by children in games is someone wishes to bring harm to the mother and unborn child; when the baby dies through an impact force, the mother must find out who the attacker was.
The urban legend states singing this song will encourage a miscarriage or aid in a successful abortion.
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かごめかごめ
籠の中の鳥は いついつ出やる 夜明けの晩に 鶴と亀が滑った 後ろの正面だあれ |
Kagome Kagome,
The bird in the basket, When, oh when, will you leave, Upon the dawn's evening, The crane and turtle slipped, Who is behind you? |
