Pathway to Japanese Literature

From the Author

Children's songs are the music of words born from childlike innocence.
If music of words born from childlike innocence possesses artistic value, then it may be called a children's song.

Furthermore, children's songs may also be said to be natural poetry arising from childlike innocence.
Natural poetry arising from childlike innocence is pure and unblemished art.
When pure and unblemished art takes the form of song-poetry, it becomes a children's song.

As children's songs are music of words arising from childlike innocence and natural poetry, their expression becomes simplified.
Simplification constitutes the ultimate form of complexity; the artistic value of a work (particularly in children's songs) can often be discerned by whether it has undergone simplification.

In their early stages, beginners tend to rush into explaining what they wish to convey and easily fall into superficial descriptions; however, if the author possesses an artistic eye, such matters will naturally become consciously rectified through practice one day.

When looking at works with simplified expressions, considering them childish or trivial is common among those lacking childlike innocence.

What Kant described as eternal childhood is an unblemished world transcending established knowledge, and within what is considered childish and trivial also lies the dwelling place of children's songs.

A heart capable of confronting nature and shaking hands with it is eternal childhood; it is childlike innocence.
Since children's songs are art that arises from childlike innocence, being consciously created is not their essence.

Children's songs are art born from childlike innocence that thoroughly retains the form of song.

When I consider this, I realize how carelessly composed the works in this book are.
However, as this book compiles into one volume works following my earlier publication *The Blue-Eyed Doll*, I have included even these carelessly composed pieces with the thought that they may serve as reference for future works along my course of practice.

(Written at Dōshinkyo, Musashino Village, Tokyo suburbs)

Yoi-Yoi Alley

In Yoi-Yoi Alley

The moon we saw, the moon we saw

Was half-veiled

The morning moon, that morning moon

Hazily in the sky

The moon that appeared, the moon that appeared

Dreaming and sleep-dazed

The noon moon that noon moon

The rabbit pounds rice cakes

The pounding moon, the pounding moon

Under the dear full moon

Round moon, that round moon

Dear Rainy Moon

One

Rainy Moon

Behind clouds

When you go to wed,

Who goes with you?
Alone with an umbrella
Holding up her umbrella as she goes
When there's no umbrella,
Who goes with you?
Jingle jangle, clinkety-clink
With bells attached
Rocked by the horse
She goes getting drenched

Two

Hurry now, O dear horse

Dawn breaks

From under the reins

From under... she peeked

With her sleeve over her face

She hid it

Even if the sleeve got wet

Dry it and it dries

Dear Rainy Moon

Behind clouds

Rocked by the horse

She went getting drenched

Plum branch
Hoots and trills and nightingales
Dear Nightingale should come to the plum
At night, even the dear stars in the sky
On the plum branch, glimmering and gleaming
Glimmering-gleaming, glimmer-gleaming
Dear Nightingale should come to the plum
At night, even the dear stars in the sky
They came to perch on the plum branch
Straw bags rumbled and rolled

Straw bags rumble and roll.
Straw bags heaped into the storehouse.
The rice is coarsely heaped.
Squeak squeak, the mouse smiles.
The stars twinkle brightly
In the night sky, they twinkle brightly.

Bird-Scaring in the Rice Fields

Bird-Scaring in the Rice Fields

Hoy-hoy

Chased away,

Chirp chirp

To that rice field over there

Chirp chirp

To this rice field here

Chirp chirp

That rice field too

Hoy-hoy

This rice field too

Hoy-hoy
Hoy-hoy-hoi
Hoy-hoy

Chased by sparrows，
Chirp chirp

Rabbit， come
Come from the mountain
Rabbit， come！
Because it will be moonlit
Come by the mountain path
Come in haste
Come see the village
The mountain Rabbit
All come together
Come play
Come hopping
Because we'll pound mochi
Come to the garden

Fox’s Lantern
Fox’s lantern， Pou

Pou-pou foxes'
Lantern procession, Pou
The land overflows with harvest
Money rains down from the heavens
The seas teem with bounty
Money surges up from the depths
Fox's Lantern, Pou
Pou-pou foxes'
Lantern procession, Pou
Single-log bridge
The bridge was swept away
Yo-heave-ho
Set up the single-log bridge
Set up the temporary bridge
The single-log bridge stood erected
The temporary bridge stood erected
The single-log bridge sways
Yo-heave-ho
Cross the single-log bridge

Cross the temporary bridge!
Cross quickly!
Again washes away the bridge—
Snow falls steadily:
Swish-swish, softly falling
Swish-swish, softly falling
Snow-snow falls steadily
Come falling down!
Crying child—off to home!
Go home!

Swish-swish, softly falling

Swish-swish, softly falling

Powder snow from the mountains

Come falling down

To the crying child's eyes

Fly away

Leaves' scampering gallop

The leaves scampered in a gallop.
Gallop-gallop!
They leaped.
They hopped.

Tumbling into a dash
Gallop-gallop
Gallop-gallop
Gallop-gallop
Leaves'
Gallop-gallop
In the blowing wind
Gallop-gallop
The horse and the foal
The sun on the roof
The sun perched all alone.

The horse gazed at the hay.

The horse neighed.

The horse.
The horse is off.

In the garden, the sun.
The sun perched all alone.
The horse gazed at the hay.

The horse neighed.
The foal too.

The foal was off.

The sun blazed fiercely.

The sun blazed fiercely.

The stable stood empty.

Hushed and still.

Attendants followed behind!

Attendants followed behind!

Attendants followed behind!

Attendants from behind

Came following

Gallop-gallop-gallop

Gallop-gallop-gallop

They carried the luggage

They followed along

What’s in the luggage?

What’s in the luggage?

Souvenirs for the guests

They brought them along.

Gallop-gallop-gallop

Gallop-gallop-gallop

The attendants carried souvenirs

They carried them.

The crow’s watch, the sparrow’s watch

The crow sowed seeds.

The sparrow watched.

The sparrow sowed seeds.

The crow watched.

The crow kept watch over the sparrow’s

The crow stood guard.

The sparrow kept watch over the crow’s

The sparrow stood guard.

The sparrow was troubled too.

The crow was troubled too.

Both the sparrow and the crow were troubled.

They were in a fix.

The Kite's Nap

Perched on a withered tree,

The Kite takes a nap.

If it falls, it's dangerous.

Skreee... roooow

The Kite took a nap on a withered tree.

The Kite dreamed.
If it doesn't fly, it's dangerous.
Skreee... roooow

Tea ladle.
Sweet tea boiled.
The tea boiled.
In the temple's iron kettle,
it came to a full boil.
Unless scooped with the ladle,
it wouldn't be scooped.
It was scooped with the ladle.
A little was scooped.

A little was scooped for Buddha,

A little was offered.

Papier-Mâché Tiger

Thump-thump

Bamboo Thicket

Run now!

O Tiger,

Run a thousand leagues and

Then return another thousand leagues!

Thump-thump

Bamboo Thicket

Papier-mâché

O Tiger,

Run a thousand leagues and

Then return another thousand leagues!

Monkey's Face

When the monkey was in the mountain
Gathering nuts
It ate them.
Even while gathering nuts and eating them
Its face remained
red
The redness of its face is innate
It’s not because it’s angry

It's not.

Frost Night's Fox

The Fox let out a cold cry.

Frost Night's Fox

Yipped twice,

Yipped once.

That cry was cold.

Let it out once more
Yip yip
Yip

The long night is cold.
The cold night is long.
Yip yip
Yip

Sparrow's Messenger

Sparrow’s Messenger
has arrived.
Sparrow’s Messenger
has arrived.
From where did the messenger
arrive?
Has arrived.
From Sparrow’s Abode
has arrived.
From Sparrow’s Abode
has arrived.
To deliver gifts
has arrived.

To deliver gifts

The Sparrow’s Messenger arrived.

Powder snow

A flurry scattered.

Powder snow

The powder snow came falling down.

In the bathhouse—
Draw the bathwater.
Heat the bath.
A flurry fluttered—
powder snow
came falling down.

In the ladle—
No handle.
No bottom.
Bottomless.

In the bucket—
No water.

At the riverbed—
Kingfisher.
Comes singing.
Cuckoo Bird.

In the mountains: Cuckoo, cuckoo
The cuckoo bird called.
In the mountains: Cuckoo, cuckoo
That calling voice—
*“On rainy days—oh how I long for a rain umbrella!”*
*“On sunny days—*
*“Oh how I long for a rain umbrella!”*
*“In dark nights—oh how I long for a lantern!”*
*“In dark nights—*
*“Oh how I long for a lantern!”*
In the mountains: Cuckoo, cuckoo

The Cuckoo Bird called.

From the high mountain
It gazed down upon the village and sang.

Koyasan

At dusk—oh dusk's

The bell tolled.

Mount Koya—

Kii Province

Kishu—land of mandarins—

a fine land

One we counted—and

the day drew to a close

Two we counted—and

dawn broke

At dawn—oh at Koya,
The bell tolls.

Lonely Island

The island stood all alone.

A solitary one—

In the sea's midst—Ho!

Just a solitary one.

No friends at all?

Lonely Island—Ho!
Always a Lonely Island
A solitary one
All alone—Ho!
A solitary one.

The days are long, aren’t they?

Lonely Island—Ho!

Water Gun

Come everyone, come everyone
Water gun—Shoo
Shoo shoo shoo
Bring water bring water
Water gun—Shoo
Shoo shoo shoo
Hurry and come! Come play!
Water gun—Shoo
Shoo shoo shoo
Come barefoot! Hurry and come!
Water gun—Shoo
Shoo shoo shoo
Little eyes and little hands
One rock-a-bye

This child's
Eye
Sing it in song—
Peacefully
Sleeps
Two rock-a-bye
This child's
Hand
Makes carry toys
Alone
Plays
One nuh-uh
This child's
Eye
When seen—wants it
If not shown—
Demands
Two nuh-uh
This child's hand
Fed up with toys

Throw them all

Throw them all

Hakone's Mountain

At Hakone's Mountain

The Fox cried.
With its pointed mouth,
Let out a resonant cry.
With its pointed mouth,
Let out a resonant cry.
The nuthatch imitated.
Let out a resonant cry.
The real Fox and

The fox thought.

With its pointed mouth,

It croaked a sharp cry.

The Crab’s Rice Cooking

Mr. Crab cooks rice!

So busy! So busy!

Because guests were coming

Cook well

If he didn't cook skillfully,

The fire would go out. The fire would go out.

If it went out, the rice

Wouldn't be cooked.

Mr. Crab cooks rice!

He's skilled! He's skilled!

Mr. Momotaro's Entourage

Mr. Momotaro

Whom did he take as his companions?

A pheasant and a monkey and

A dog he took along—took along.

Mr. Momotaro's

What did his companions take along?

To the pheasant—Mr. Momotaro

Had him carry the spear

To the monkey—Mr. Momotaro
Had him carry the flag
The dog—Mr. Momotaro's
Became his steed.

The Mouse's Wedding

The Mouse's Wedding

In paper bags,
They put rice in them and took them along.
The mouse bride
Tip-toeing along,
A hairpin in her ear
She carefully inserted it.
The hairpin in her ear
Her eyes were dotted.

The mouse bride
She had grown whiskers.
The Mouse's Wedding
Esteemed attendants everyone
The rice was put in
The paper bags,
Tugging and tugging, they took them along.

Seagull
Seagull flew and flew
A seagull flew

One lagged behind.
It flew from behind.
The sea is far,
The shore is long.

The shore is long.

Seagulls flew, flew,

Flew from behind.

One got separated,

Hurriedly flew.

The sea was far,

The shore was long.

Hide-and-seek

They see them! They see them! They see them!

Their feet are seen!

They hide their faces.

They're playing hide-and-seek.

They see them! They see them! They see them!

Their hands are seen!

They cover their eyes.

They're playing hide-and-seek.

They see them! They see them! They see them!

Their faces are seen!

Close your eyes!

They were playing hide-and-seek.

Pine atop the hill.
Pine atop the hill.
The crane comes and perches.
The crane comes and perches.
Pine needles rustle and fall.
The number of pine needles—
One by one they count them.
It takes a thousand years.
Even in the thousandth year—
The crane comes and perches.

The crane comes and perches.
Pine needles rustle and fall.
The number of pine needles
One by one they count them.
It takes ten thousand years.

Weaving

Come, come, come

Guests, come

As for me, lately—

I wove cloth.

First—the crane of the sunrise—

I wove the crane.

Second—the hibiscus’s

flower I wove.

Third—Mikasa’s

moon I wove.

The crane at sunrise—
Facing [the sunrise], it cried out.
The flowers chime brightly—
The flowers bloomed brightly.
The moon, distantly—
Shone keenly and bright.
Come come come
Guests, come
As for me—splendidly
I have woven cloth.
Aunt Mouse
Now here a mouse
Just passed through
Aunt Mouse
Bat
Now here a mouse
Just passed through
Aunt Mouse

Bat
The grand gate's doors
Behold them now
Ms. Moon peeks out a little
And briefly casts her light
When the moonlit night comes
Bat
They call out to the mouse softly
Let’s play a little
Seven Stars
Seven lined up
Seven Stars
Seven lined up
The night deepens
In the deep of night even the dear stars
All sleep
When they sleep in stillness
The night deepens
Sleep O seven stars of seven
Seven Stars

In the deep of night, even the dear stars—
All sleep—
Sea Monk Little Monk
Clang-clang-clang-clang-clang
Sea Monk—it’s here!
At the head of the little monks
Sea Monk—it’s here!
Clang-clang-clang-clang-clang

Sea Monk Little Monk
Little monks emerge too!

Clang-clang-clang-clang-clang

Silver grass plumes

The mountain's silver grass plumes

From the mountain blows the wind―Hoy!
Toward the village―Hoy!
Viewing from mountain to village―
Our mountain―forgotten―Hoy!
The village’s silver grass plumes―
From below gazes upward―Hoy!
Toward heights―Hoy!
Mountain beckons with outstretched arms―
Our home’s memory fades―Hoy!

Shadow Tag
Bring them out，O Moon
Shadow figures—bring them out
Shadow figures—come forth
Let’s stomp—stomp-stomp
Shadow figures—bring them out
Shadow figures—bring them out
Brought out—shadow figures
Did they step on them—stomp-stomp
Bring them out，O Moon
Shadow figures—bring them out
Shadow figures—bring them out
Since we’ll step—bring them out
Sleeping Turtle Child
sleep sleep
Stuck out its neck
Turtle Child
the Turtle Child
slept
sleep sleep

Stuck out its legs
Turtle child
The turtle child
Slept
Sleep sleep
Did it sleep
Turtle child
The turtle child
Slept
Sparrow's Weaving

Sparrow's Weaving

Sparrow's Weaving

The sparrow weaves

Sparrow's weaving

Weave well weave well

Clink Clink Pat Pat

Clink Clink Pat Pat

Weaves in the thicket

Sparrow's Weaving

There’s no day but today.

bride’s preparations
busy busy
clink clink pat pat
clink clink pat pat

Miyagino's Bush Clover

Miyagino's bush clover
In the shade of pampas grass
slightly bloomed
When the horse passed
In the shade of pampas grass
the bush clover watched

Hurry, O horse
Through pampas grass shade
Hurry just a little

Miyagino's bush clover
In pampas grass shade
the bush clover kept watching

Autumn moon

Ishiyamadera's autumn moon
Who will cross Seta's Karahashi Bridge?
No one crosses—so I shall cross.
When I looked down from the bridge
Reflected in the water was my figure
The Moon gazed enraptured at the figure.
Even the returning Yabashi boat
If the wind did not blow
Could not return
If I did not return, I could not meet my child
The moon hurried its return.

The moon was hurrying.

Cricket Games

Cricket, trill-trill

How endless the night grows

The night is long, the night is long

Fastened the obi.

That obi—to which child

have them fasten

This child—this obi

They have them fasten it.

Hide-and-Seek

Geta catch fire.

Hide-and-Seek come out

Come out Hide-and-Seek

The geta strap burns.

Geta catch fire.

The ogre isn't home.

Come out, hide-and-seek

Hide-and-Seek come out

The Lark's Water Fetching

The Lark's Water Fetching

The sun is high!

Quickly

Draw water!

In waterless fields

Until the fields ripen

Quickly

Draw water!

The sun is high!

The sun is high!

Quickly.

Draw water!

In waterless fields

Until the fields ripen

Quickly

Draw water!

The Bush Warbler's Dream

On a plum branch, on a plum branch,

The bush warbler

On a snowy night,

Had a dream:

In the fields and in the mountains,

Nothing but snow.

Softly, steadily,

Nothing but snow.

On a night when snow falls, on a night when snow falls.

The bush warbler
Plum blossoms bloom
Has a dream
In fields and mountains
Nothing but plums
Flitter flitter
Nothing but plums

The thicket's lower path

If you pass through here, it's Sparrow's abode.

This path here is a shortcut.

Come now, hurry along through

At Sparrow's abode, Sparrow is away.

This path here is a shortcut.

Come now, hurry along through

If you don't pass through quickly, Sparrow will return.

This path here is a shortcut.

Come now, hurry along through

Stinger Bug

Dragonfly, come here come here!

Perch on the well bucket

The well bucket
The day stretches long
Do not alight on grass
A Stinger Bug lurks!
This morning again—the weeping child's
Foot felt its sting

Song of the Young Dove

The mountain cleared now!
Young Dove slept in the field—
Return, Young Dove!
Return to the mountains!
O straying dove—
You'll become lost—return!
Fields hold wild foxes
Fields hold prowling weasels—
The weasel cried out!
Return now, Young Dove!

Because the Fox comes

Return, Young Dove

Red dragonfly
Darting about as it flew.

Red dragonfly

The goldfish shop's goldfish—
What were they doing?

Everyone lined up together
Drinking water.

Darting about as it flew.

Red dragonfly

The bird shop's chickens—
What were they doing?

Everyone lined up together
Fast asleep.

With Mother
The toy bucket
They had bought and brought back.

With the toy bucket
What did they draw?

Together with Mother
They drew water.

With the toy broom
What did they sweep?
Together with Mother,
They swept the garden.
Silver bells

Rabbit, rabbit

Silver bells
Shall I?
To your ears—silver bells
I'll attach them
Shall I?

Rabbit, rabbit

Delighted—

They hopped.

Silver bells—wanting them,

With a peep-hop,

They hopped.

The day to visit the guest
At your nape
Bind your hair
Oh lovely one
Black oil
Apply it
Oh lovely one
Red comb
Adorn yourself
Oh lovely one
Oh lovely one

To the guests,
Let us take you—
Persimmon tree.

Sprouted from a seed

The persimmon tree
Even if a hundred years pass
The persimmon tree is a persimmon tree.
Sprouted from a seed

The persimmon tree
Even if a thousand years pass
The persimmon tree is a persimmon tree.

From the mountain, a crow
came flying
“Red persimmons—sweet!”
The crow ate them up.
Even if crows eat them,

The persimmon tree

No matter how much time passes

The persimmon tree is a persimmon tree.

Mountain cuckoo

The mountain cuckoo

Eight thousand and eight calls

In the first call,
Four thousand four calls.

In the second call as well,
Four thousand four calls.

The mountain cuckoo
Eight thousand eight calls.

In the first call,
Dawn had not yet broken.

In the second call,
The east paled.

The mountain cuckoo

Eight thousand eight calls

Rabbit's Dance

Sosora sora sora, rabbit dance

Tra-la-la La-ta La-ta

Ratta ratta ratta ra

Kicking legs kicking

Piyokko piyokko dancing

Headbands on ears—Ratta ratta ratta ra

Sosora sora sora, darling dance

Tra-la-la La-ta La-ta

La-ta La-ta La-ta Ra

Hopping and leaping

Hop hop dancing

Red boots on legs—Ratta ratta ratta ra

Insect Music

Insect music—how fascinating

Fascinating!

Bell cricket—a-rin rin

The bell cricket shook its chimes

Pine cricket—crunch crunch

Katydid.

Insect music—how lively!

How lively!

Ring-ring crunch-crunch

Trill-trill

Whirr-whirr crunch-crunch

Trill-trill

Firefly's airplane

Firefly airplanes

Come from the mountains!

Quickly from the mountains

Hurry up and come

Airplane hoy!

Come from the mountains hoy!

Ho-ho firefly’s

Airplane hoy!

Quickly from the mountains

Hurry up and come

Airplane hoy!

Come from the mountains hoy!

Four Stars

Shooting star—ah!

Streaking—

Falling down

Parting star—Ah!

Separated—
Glowed—
Hidden star—Ah!
Hiding—
Still not out—
Passing star—Ah!
Passing—

Fell into the sea.
Scarecrow.

Evening glow
Dim glow
Rice fields'
Scarecrow

Tomorrow—

Weather.

Straw raincoat and hat.

They're not needed.

Take off the straw raincoat.

Dry them.

Take off the hat.

Dry them.

Field Insects

When night fell,
the field insects
gave no thought
to anything at all—
seeking the electric light,
they came flying,
seeking the electric light,
they came flying.
Even the field insects
disliked the dark.

Absence

The dear house there—
Is the dear house empty?
Boom boom
Boom.

The gate has closed.

Is here.

Boom boom

Boom.

Absence—the dear caretaker

Isn't anyone here?

Dawn Crow
The one crying "Caw caw"
Dawn Crow
Dawn was breaking.
Dawn broke.
In the sea of dawn was one star.
On the mountaintop too was one star.
The dawn's dear star
They could no longer be seen.
Dawn was breaking.
Dawn broke.
At dawn—the Dawn Crow of daybreak.
Because the Dawn Crow cried "Caw-oh caw," dawn broke.
One-Eyed Goblin
What shone in the sky
What was that
That was the dark night’s
Dear stars
At the dear back door shone—
What was that

One-Eyed Goblin’s
It was the dear eye.
One-Eyed Goblin’s
Eyes—how many?
The One-Eyed Goblin—
It was one.
Two lights gleaming—
What was that?
That was the dear attendant’s
It was the dear eye.
Pine Cricket

Chirp chirp, trill-trill.

Chirp chirp, trill-trill.

The Pine Cricket
perched in the dear thicket and sang.

The shadow of the dear thicket—

Briars and susuki grass.

Briars will prick

Foot hurts

Susuki grass will slice.

Hand hurts

Chirp chirp, trill-trill.

Chirp chirp, trill-trill.

The pine cricket

The pine cricket perched in the dear thicket and sang.

Leaves.

Become sparrows,

Become sparrows.

Leaves flew—
Become sparrows!
Become sparrows
And play on the dear roof!

The sparrow birds
Play on the dear roof—
Become sparrows!
Become sparrows!

Go to the dear roof
And become sparrows!

Dream Taker—
Dream Taker—
Dream Taker—

The dear star’s dream—
A blue dream—
A blue dream—
A blue dream—
Dear Star was dreaming—
Falling down
Falling down
Falling down
Dear Star’s dream—
Take it away

Sheep come
Sheep—come
Come
The pasture—
Far
Small sheep—
Grow weary
Sheep
Go home—
The pasture—

The pasture darkens.

Hurry home—

Trot-trot

The Snail's House

The days are long, the days are long

Tumble-dumble

The snail carries its house

Carrying it on its back and walking.

The snail’s house—

Covered in mud.

In the rice field, the snail—

Tumble-dumble,

Tumble-dumble-dum,

Tumble-dumble.

The snail’s house—

One window,

Peeking out from the window—

Tumble-dumble.

Panicked Ogre

(Ogre General)

"The one approaching—"

"What ship is that?"

(Red Ogre)

"『Japan's Best』’s"

Raised a flag.

(Blue Ogre)

Mr. Momotaro’s

the ship Mr. Momotaro boards

(Ogre General)

“It’s ‘Japan’s Best’!”

That’s invincible!

(Red Ogre)

The retinue too is numerous.

They followed.

(Blue Ogre)

We can’t rival Mr. Momotaro.

We can’t rival Mr. Momotaro.

We can’t rival Mr. Momotaro.

(Ogre General)

Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!

“This is disastrous!”

(Red Ogre and Blue Ogre)

“Disastrous!”

“Disastrous!”

(Ogre General)

“It's terrible!”

“It's terrible!”

The Kite's Flute Playing

The Kite's Flute Playing

Pee-yororo

*Pee-pee*

Pee-yororo

The kite blew *Pee*.

Pee-yororo

*Pee-pee*

Pee-yororo

The kite came out from the mountain.

Pee-yororo

*Pee-pee*

Pee-yororo!

The kite trilled a long, wavering note.

Pee-yororo!

A sharp tweet!

Pee-yororo!

Rabbit and Raccoon Dog

On Click-Clack Mountain

Who dwells there?

The rabbit stealthily

hid itself.

On Roar-Roar Mountain

Who dwells there?

A lone raccoon dog

was hiding.

Click-Clack Mountain became

Click-Clack Mountain was ablaze!

On Roar-Roar Mountain

Fire broke out.

The raccoon dog was hot and

It fled.

The rabbit gave chase from behind.

The rabbit pursued.

Riverbed Greenfinch.

Riverbed Greenfinch—Been.

From morning—Been.

Twang twang.

Been.

Spinning thread—Been.

Twisted thread—Been.

Twang twang.

Been.

It's watching the weather.

Spinning thread—Been.

The frosty night is cold.

The frosty night—

It's cold.

Dear stars,

Dear stars,

Dear stars,

The frosty night is cold.

Sleeping in the field

The small birds—
Dear stars,
Dear stars,

Dear stars,

How pitiful.

Beyond that mountain's shadow,

Cross that mountain,

Cross the mountain,

To that mountain's shadow,

To fetch water—

Heave-ho, heave-ho, heave-ho-sa!

One bucket drawn,

Pour it on the grass,

Two buckets drawn,

Pour it on the grass.

One bucket poured—

Leaves grow.

Two buckets poured—

Flowers bloom.

Cross that mountain,

Cross the mountain,

To that mountain's shadow,

To fetch water—

Heave-ho, heave-ho, heave-ho-sa!

Sparrow Dance

The Sparrow Dance is fun, oh so fun!

With handclaps in unison, oh how delightful!

Ting-ting-ting-a-ting

Hey-ya ting-ting-ting-a-ting

With handclaps in unison,

Oh how delightful!

Stray sparrow too—come dance, come dance!
With handclaps in unison—come dance!
Ting-ting-ting-a-ting

Hey-ya ting-ting-ting-a-ting

With handclaps in unison,

Come dance

Sparrows so adorable—in perfect step, in perfect step!

With handclaps in unison—in perfect step!

Ting-ting-ting-a-ting

Hey-ya ting-ting-ting-a-ting

With handclaps in unison,

In perfect step

Messenger Pigeon

Of the dreamland’s

The Messenger Pigeon
When the sun sets
Upon the Eye
Darts over
Lands with a flutter.
When one alights,
Another alights.
Alternately, alternately,

The messenger pigeon
When the sun sets

Flies over and lands.

Child and Elephant

“Elephant, Elephant, your nose—”
“Why is it so long?”
“With my nose—the milk—”
“Because I drank it.”

“Elephant, Elephant, your eyes—”
“Why are they so small?”

“When I was young—”

“Because I was dozing.”

“Mr. Pigeon went to buy tea.”

“Mr. Pigeon went to buy tea.”

“Went to buy tea, ’s what.”

“Mr. Pigeon buying tea—”

“What’ll he do?”

“Boil it in a kettle—”

“He’ll drink it, ’s what.”

While you’re at it, the tea scoop

Go buy and bring it, 's what.

Is it for buying a tea scoop?

No money

Mr. Pigeon, tea scoop

He was watching, 's what.

Lone Journey

Dear Moon in the sky

Lone Journey

They searched for their child,
walked,
ventured into mountains,
peered into bramble shade,
went to the shore,
peered into small shore's shade.
Even if one searched for a thousand years,
never would they meet the child.
Even if one searched for ten thousand years,
never would they meet the child.
"Attendants, stay back!"
Heave-ho!
Heave-ho!
"Attendants, stay back!"

Attendants, stay back!
Attendants follow from behind!
Follow along!

Attendants! Heave-ho!
Attendants! Heave-ho!
Attendants! Attendants!
Attendants! Heave-ho!
Luggage! Heave-ho!
Carrying, heave-ho!
Attendants! Attendants!
Heave-ho, heave-ho!
Kaya nuts
Crow in the field
Kaya nuts picked up

Tap tap tap
Beat it rat-a-tat tap
Crow! Kaya nuts!
Beat it rat-a-tat tap
Beat! Tap tap
Beat rat-a-tat tap

Crow! Kaya nuts!

In the field, they picked up.

Silk Tree
Sleep now, sleep
Silk tree, sleep

Dusk comes.
The silk tree
Sleeps now!
The sparrow returns too.
To the riverbank thicket
Sparrow, return!
The evening star appears.
The sparrow returns.
The silk tree also sleeps.

Firefly Lighthouse

When the sun set

Firefly Lighthouse

Firefly Lighthouse

Small lighthouse

Flicker flicker

All shone, all shone

Flicker flicker

Firefly Lighthouse

Firefly Lighthouse

Endearing Lighthouse

Each in turn

All shone, all shone.

Mouse/Frog/Ogre

To the mouse, cat whiskers

Just a little peek

Startled,
whirring spun around,
immediately fled.
To the frog—snake eyes—
showed them just a bit.
Startled,
leaped up.

It immediately flees.

To the ogre, Shōki's mask

Just a little show

Startled,

With a "Kyatt!"

It immediately fled

Calf in the Cowshed

Spin around, spin around

Form a circle and spin around
The calf in the cowshed
has disappeared
O parent cow lies still
She still hasn't risen.
Spin around, spin around
Form a circle and spin around
The calf in the cowshed
has disappeared
O parent cow lies still
She still hasn't risen.

Spin around, spin around

Form a circle and spin around

The calf in the cowshed

has disappeared

Kon-kon Fox

One

Hurry up, hurry up!

This road is

Kon-kon Fox's

The fox road! The fox road!

Come on, hurry up!

Pass through now!
Oh, scary-scary!
The fox is scary.
Kon-kon Fox appears—how scary!

Two

Hurry up, hurry up!

This thicket is

At dusk, the fox's

The fox-thicket! The fox-thicket!

Now, now—it's dusk!

Hurry up now!
Oh, scary-scary!
Dusk is scary!
Kon-kon Fox appears—how scary!

Three

Hurry up, hurry up!

This bridge is

On rainy nights—the fox’s

The fox bridge! The fox bridge!

Come on, hurry up!

Cross now!

Oh, scary-scary!

The fox is scary.

Kon-kon Fox appears—how scary!