Oiwake-bushi has its roots in a song sung in the Nakasendo region of Shinshu from the Edo period (1603-1868).
It is said that the song spread throughout the country as a kind of hajari-bushi, and that it was introduced to Echigo where it was sung by boatmen as a boating song, and was brought to Esashi by the Kitamae-bune about 200 years ago.
In Ezashi, Sano-ichi Zato is said to have fused Kenryo-bushi and Oibu to create Ezashi Oibu, which has a unique tone, and many singers have refined and continued to sing it.
Esa Oiwake" is a hymn to humanity born from the harsh nature and life in the north, and in order to properly preserve and hand down the flower of local culture inherited from our predecessors, "Esa Oiwake Kaikan" was built in 1982 through the generosity of the town's residents and Oiwake lovers.