There is a saying in Japan, “Autumn days are like the falling of a tsurube”. The autumn sun sets and sets as early as the falling of a well bucket. It is a metaphor for the early dusk of autumn.

tsurube ido

Children are chasing dragonflies in the clear blue autumn sky and shining sunlight, losing track of time. Then, in no time at all, it is sunset time. Such was the scene that poet and physician NUKAGA Seishi saw on his way home from a house call four years after World War II. The passage of time, which had finally come and gone in a leisurely and tranquil way, is expressed by comparing it to the sun reflected in the large eyes of a dragonfly.

Otento sama in the story is an ancient Japanese term for the sun, another meaning of which is “god,” who watches over humans to prevent them from doing bad things. A typical example is the phrase “Otento sama ni kaomuke ga dekinai,” which is used when one has done something bad or embarrassing.

It has been selected as one of “100 Best Japanese Songs”.

It depicts the joy of snowfall from a child’s point of view.

The song is a cheerful depiction of snow falling in a rhythmic, incessant manner.
As the lyrics of the second verse suggest, the dog running happily around the yard can be compared to a child, and the cat curled up against the cold in a kotatsu, a table-type heater that has been loved in Japan for centuries, can be compared to an adult.

The official world record for the deepest snowfall, by the way, is about 12 meters, which was observed on February 14, 1927, at the weather station on Mount Ibuki (1377 meters above sea level) in Maibara, Shiga Prefecture, Japan. It is almost the same height as the Ootorii (second shrine gate) of Meiji Jingu Shrine.

By 江戸村のとくぞう (Edomura no Tokuzo) – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0,

“Palm fruit” is also called “Yashi no mi” in Japan.

YANAGITA Kunio, a folklorist who spent one summer in the Meiji Era at Cape Irago in Tahara, Aichi Prefecture, told his literary friend about an episode in which he found a “palm fruit” washed ashore while taking a walk on the beach.

It was a time when knowledge of foreign countries was scarce. And the Japanese, surrounded by the sea, are thought to have long felt a romantic sense of “what kind of world there is outside the sea. This is probably the reason why people still refer to foreign countries as “kaigai,” which means “outside the sea. SHIMAZAKI Touson, a well-known literary giant of the Meiji period, was inspired to write these lyrics by a palm tree that had drifted ashore on a journey across the sea. He said to YANAGITA, “Give me the story. Don’t tell anyone.

The beautiful poem and melody, written in “Japanese for literature,” which is not used today, has been selected as one of the “100 Best Japanese Songs.

Many people take the one-hour ferry from Cape Irago to Ise-Shima to visit the Ise Jingu Shrine.

Photo by (c)Tomo.Yun

The song titled “The Village Blacksmith” was sung until the late Showa era, long after the profession of blacksmithing had ceased to be a part of everyday life.

663highland – 投稿者自身による著作物, CC 表示 2.5, リンクによる

The reason for this persistence isn’t entirely clear, but perhaps the song’s lively rhythm was deemed fitting for children’s musical education.

Though the lyrics depict the blacksmith as someone who forges plows and hoes as agricultural tools, originally, the roots of blacksmithing were likely tied to swordsmithing. Japan has traditionally had a culture centered around blades, evident even in the popular anime “Demon Slayer,(Kimetsu no yaiba)” showcasing the pride associated with crafting the katana and wakizashi, swords worn at the waist of the samurai, the highest social class during the Sengoku period.

With the end of the samurai era and further declines due to mechanization, the demand for plows and hoes as agricultural tools drastically decreased. However, a few blacksmiths still remain scattered throughout Japan, supporting local farmers to this day. Moreover, the “art of blade-making” has also been an integral part of supporting Japanese culinary culture.

Let’s look for the red dragonfly in the evening sky

“Akatombo” is a beautiful song that sings of the heart filled with nostalgia as one watches the red dragonflies that fly from early to mid-autumn, as if stained by the setting sun.

The image of the dragonflies glowing in the evening light has long been a symbol of Japan’s autumn, giving listeners a bittersweet reminder of childhood days and hometown landscapes.

A melody born from a poet’s window

The lyricist, MIKI Rofuu, is said to have been inspired by seeing a red dragonfly flying outside his window while teaching literature at the Hakodate Trappist Monastery.

Surrounded by the quiet of nature and the solemn atmosphere of the monastery, the sudden appearance of the delicate insect must have left a vivid impression, one that later took shape in his poignant lyrics.

Memories of a poor mountain village

The kanji for “akatombo” is written as follows.

About 100 years ago, in the early Showa period (early 20th century), mountain villages in Japan were very poor.

MIKI Rofuu’s mother ran away from home when he was five years old, and he was raised by a nanny girl. However, that “neeya” also married off at the age of 15.

In a time when food was scarce, this may have been part of the so-called “kuchiberashi,” a way of trying not to feed anyone other than the work force of the farm.

Loneliness entrusted to the song

Later, when the author left for the city, he no longer received letters from his hometown. How must Rofuu have felt when he lost his family?

Such loneliness was entrusted to “Akatombo,” a song widely loved as a representative Japanese song. However, although sentimental, this loneliness does not mean unhappiness. That is why it is widely sympathized with and has remained in the present age.

Still loved all over Japan

“Akatombo” won first place in the “Songs of Japan and Hometowns You Choose” conducted by the NHK National Executive Committee in a nationwide survey.

Monuments to “Akatombo” can be found all over Japan, which shows the popularity of the song.
The monument shown in the map below is one of them.

100 Best Japanese Songs

▼Jean=pierre rampal “Aka Tombo” flute