The lyrics were written by a teacher in Ebetsu City!

When the original "Kodomo Bon Odori Uta" was released in the 1950s, Japan was in the midst of postwar reconstruction and Bon dances were popular, but the content was geared toward adults. Many people thought it was not a good idea for children to mix, sing and dance in it.

The Hokkaido Board of Education and others at the time planned the "Kodomo Bon Odori Uta (Children's Bon Dance Song)" so that children could enjoy Bon Odori in a healthy way. Ichiro Tsubomatsu, who wrote the lyrics, was a school teacher in Ebetsu at the time. A monument to the song was erected in Kawanaka Park in Nopporo-cho, Ebetsu City.

Monument erected in the park

Back side of the monument

Performances with a modern arrangement

The "Kodomo Bon Odori Uta" is now well-known to all residents of Hokkaido, but there are occasions when it is performed with a new arrangement. This is a performance by the Sapporo August Festival Special Big Band, led by Otomo Yoshihide, who wrote the music for NHK's morning TV novel "Amachan," and was performed during the August Festival held in Sapporo in 2016.

This is the original arrangement of "Hatsune Miku Sung Ver." that we, Domingo, produced for the project. This was created for the "Hokkaido Dokodemo Bon Odori" held in 2021 and 2022 as a "Bon Odori that can be danced anywhere" since Bon Odori in various areas had been canceled due to the Corona at the time. The choreography is danced by Snow Miku and Rabbit Yukine.

I can hear that "Shanko Shanko" again this year..!

The "Kodomo Bon Odori Uta" (Children's Bon Dance Song) has transcended the ages and continues to be loved today. It is no exaggeration to say that it is the soul song of Hokkaido. I would like to preserve it as the pride of Hokkaido's culture for the next generation and the generation after that.

The thumbnail images are for illustrative purposes only.

Check them out as well!