Around late spring to early summer, May 5th is “Children’s Day” in Japan.

In contrast to “Momo-no Sekku” held on March 3rd for girls, a ceremony celebrating the growth of boys is conducted nationwide as “Tango-no Sekku.”

A carp climbs a waterfall and becomes a dragon

Inspired by the Chinese tale of “Carp Climbing the Dragon’s Gate,” where a carp that successfully ascends 100 waterfalls transforms into a dragon, carp streamers are erected on the eaves of houses with boys, symbolizing the wish for boys to grow into admirable men by overcoming hardships. Inside the house, decorations such as helmets and armor are displayed, and it’s customary for boys to bathe in water adorned with iris leaves resembling swords, called “shoubu,” a homonym for “victory.”

Tango no sekku

These lyrics were written over a century ago during the early Taisho period as a Ministry of Education song (meaning they were anonymous). Therefore, the authorship of both lyrics and music remained unknown for a long time. It wasn’t until later when HIROTA Ryuutarou reportedly told SATOU Hachirou, “I composed this song,” that it became attributed to HIROTA Ryuutarou.

While the language may be somewhat archaic for children, as adults celebrating their own children, one truly comes to appreciate the dignified, brave, and wonderful nature of this song.

▼Another ‘Koinobori’ song.

Koinobori / Yaneyoritakai (1931) - こいのぼり

"yaneyori takai koinobori" Discover good old-fashioned Japan through lyrics and images: Roman readings, English translations, and reflections. Take a cultural journey through the melodies of "Doyo Shoka" (Children's Songs).

douyo-shouka.com

2025.05.02

Beautiful Memories in Ancient Words

“Hamabe no uta” is a song that captures the melancholic mood of walking aimlessly along the shoreline while reminiscing about days gone by. One of the song’s greatest charms lies in the beauty of its lyrics, written in classical Japanese literary style. However, because it’s composed in archaic language, even modern Japanese speakers find it challenging to fully grasp the true meaning of its words. It has the same appeal as deciphering classical literature, and this linguistic barrier paradoxically adds to the song’s profound allure.
The lyrics were penned by HAYASHI Kokei, a Japanese literature scholar born in 1875. Interestingly, he had quite an unconventional background—he entered the Buddhist priesthood at a young age. However, driven by his passion for learning, he left the temple to pursue an academic career, becoming a teacher of Japanese and Chinese literature. Then, after turning 30, he made an unusual career change by enrolling in a music school, which was quite rare for someone of his age in those days.

A Beautiful Score Adorned by TAKEHISA Yumeji

When the musical score was published in 1918, its cover was graced by artwork from Takehisa Yumeji, renowned for his exquisite paintings of beautiful women. Yumeji’s elegant and lyrical artistic style harmonized perfectly with the melancholic atmosphere of “Hamabe no uta,” transforming the sheet music itself into a work of art. Indeed, this cover continues to be beloved by many to this day and is considered one of the iconic works of the Taisho Romantic movement.
The music itself is extraordinarily beautiful and lyrical, with a melodic line that possesses the delicacy to touch the heartstrings of the Japanese people. The melody, reminiscent of ocean waves and sea breezes, evokes nostalgic memories in listeners’ hearts, which explains why it continues to be cherished across generations.

The Mystery of the Lost Third Verse and Its Cinematic Legacy

“Hamabe no uta” originally consisted of three verses, according to historical accounts. However, the third verse that we might know today differs from what Kokei originally wrote. Remarkably, someone had altered the latter half of the lyrics without permission. When Kokei discovered this unauthorized change, he was reportedly furious, exclaiming, “This makes no sense!” Unfortunately, he couldn’t recall his original lyrics, and as a result, only the first and second verses are sung today. This episode about the phantom third verse remains one of the enduring mysteries surrounding the song.

Twenty-Four Eyes (1954) poster. By The poster art can or could be obtained from the distributor. Fair use, via Wikimedia Commons

Later, “Hamabe no uta” was effectively featured in the acclaimed film “Twenty-Four Eyes” (1954). This movie portrayed the tragedy of war through the bond between a new female teacher assigned to an impoverished village in the Setonaikai region and her students, depicting both the tragedy of conflict and the resilience of human spirit. When the song plays in the film, it resonates with the characters’ emotions and leaves a profound impact on audiences. In this way, the song transcended its individual appeal to gain greater cultural significance by connecting with other artistic works.