Obon is a custom to express gratitude to deceased ancestors, or in other words, to the bloodline that has connected one’s life to one’s own.

Originally, it was held around July 15 on the lunar calendar, but when the new calendar was introduced in the Meiji era (1868-1912), July 15 fell during the busy farming season, so it was moved one month later to around August 15 in many areas. Many companies and stores set their “Obon vacations” to coincide with this date, and since it also coincided with the end of the war, it seems to have taken root as a time to mourn those who had passed away. Therefore, the custom has taken root as a time to return to one’s parents’ home, similar to the winter New Year’s holiday. In recent years, however, many people consider it a time to enjoy leisure activities rather than to return home.

The custom of visiting graves and making offerings at home to welcome ancestors during Obon remains even in the 21st century. In such cases, cucumbers are sometimes used as horses and eggplants as cows, and decorations are sometimes made with the idea of having ancestors come early with the cucumber horses and return home slowly with the eggplant cows.

This “Itsuki no komoriuta” is not a lullaby to soothe a baby, but a “Moriko Uta,” a song about one’s circumstances, having been sent away from home because of poor birth and given the job of babysitting in a wealthy family. In Japan, 75% of the land is covered by forests, and the amount of land available for cultivation is much smaller than one might imagine. Therefore, men who could do the heavy lifting from the small harvest were given priority, and girls and elderly people were often sent to serve as “Kuchiberashi” or killed.

This song was sung in Itsukimura, Kuma-gun, Kumamoto Prefecture, and became known throughout Japan after World War II when it was recorded. However, it is not widely known that there is a continuation of the lyrics listed here.

Odon ga ucchinda chuute
dare ga naite kuryoka
ura no Matsuyama, semi ga naku

Even if I die,
Who will cry for me?
Perhaps only the cicadas on the pine-covered hill behind the house.

Semi ja gojansen
imouto de gozarū
imouto nakunayo ki ni kakaru

It’s not the cicadas,
It’s my younger sister.
Don’t cry, sister, it worries me.

Odon ga ucchindara
michibata cha ikero
tooru hito gochi hana agyuu

When I die,
Bury me by the roadside,
So I can give flowers to passersby.

Hana wa nan no hana
tsun tsun tsubaki
mizu wa ten kara moraimizu

What kind of flowers would they be?
The sharp, pointed camellia.
And the water will come from heaven.

When the New Year arrives, this song is widely used in various television programs and is cherished by the Japanese people. However, it seems that many relate more to the bright melody, projecting hope for the new year, rather than delving into the meaning of the lyrics.

The first verse conveys the joy of celebrating the New Year in households, while the second verse juxtaposes the grandeur of the Emperor with the first sunrise. It evokes a nuance reminiscent of Japan’s national anthem, “Kimigayo”. This connection is quite apparent as both this song and “Kimigayo” were established in August 1893, with this song being presented as a Ministry of Education’s school song and “Kimigayo” being designated as a ceremonial music, suggesting a sibling-like relationship between them.

The lyricist, SENGE_Takatomi, held positions from Izumo-no-kuni-no-miyatsuko (an official responsible for the religious rituals and governance of Izumo Grand Shrine) to becoming a member of the Upper House, a member of the House of Peers, and the Governor of Tokyo Prefecture. He engaged in politics while being rooted in Shintoist ideology. Considering this, the content of the lyrics aligns well with his background. However, due to its highly dignified classical language, it appears that younger generations might lean towards appreciating the melody rather than the meaning. Moreover, the rhythm, possibly influenced by the classical language, might also have an impact.

Flow in edgewise – 撮影, CC 表示 3.0, リンクによる

Incidentally, I myself thought it was “Ichigatsu tsuitachi,” but the official name of the song is “Ichigatsu ichijitsu.