Tucked away within the deep, mountainous embrace of Toyama Prefecture lies Gokayama, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Echoing through its serene mountain village is "Kokiriko Bushi," widely regarded as one of Japan’s oldest folk songs. Though it faced the tides of time and nearly faded into history, it was preserved through the dedication of the local people and continues to be sung and danced to this day.
1. The History of "Kokiriko Bushi", Japan's Oldest Folk Song
The roots of Kokiriko Bushi trace back to Dengaku, an ancient ritual performing art dating from the Heian and Muromachi periods. Dengaku consisted of songs and dances born from rice-planting rituals and festivals, performed to pray for bountiful harvests and offer gratitude to the gods. Mentioned in Edo-period documents, Kokiriko Bushi was cherished by the people of Gokayama as a dedication performance to Hakusan Shrine, but it nearly vanished amidst the modernization that followed the Meiji era. However, in the early Showa period, thanks to the passion of local historians and the memories of an elderly woman named Shii Yamazaki, who had learned the songs in her youth, the tune was brilliantly revived. Today, it lives on as a vibrant, breathing culture within the annual Kokiriko Festival and everyday life.
2. Lyrics and Hayashikotoba (Musical Accompaniment Words)
While Kokiriko Bushi has several verses, let us introduce the most widely known opening lyrics alongside the powerful hayashikotoba (refrain/accompaniment words) that support the song:
こきりこの竹は 七寸五分じゃ
長いは袖の かなかいじゃ
窓のさんさは デデレコデン ハレのさんさも デデレコデン
Kokiriko no take wa shichi-sun go-bu ja
Nagai wa sode no kanakai ja
Mado no sansa wa Dedereko-den
Hare no sansa mo Dedereko-den
"Kokiriko" refers to two bamboo sticks held in the hands and struck together. "Shichi-sun go-bu" translates to approximately 23 centimeters in modern units. What makes these lyrics so fascinating is how they sing directly about "the size of the instruments being played and why." It captures the realistic sensations of the dancers: if the bamboo is too long, it gets caught in the kimono sleeves and hinders the dance; if it is too short, it fails to produce a crisp, rhythmic sound. There is a rustic warmth in singing about the concrete specifications and practical use of the tools right at the beginning of the song, reflecting how daily life and performing arts were seamlessly intertwined in the mountain village.
[The Role of "Dedereko-den" and Refrains] The mysterious phrase "Dedereko-den" echoes throughout and between the verses. This is known as hayashikotoba, a refrain without literal dictionary meaning.
- Onomatopoeia: One theory suggests it phonetically imitates the beating of a taiko drum or the crisp, light clatter of bamboo sticks and the binzasara.
- Creating Groove and Exaltation: Rather than literal definitions, the "sound, rhythm, and tempo" themselves unite the hearts of the singers, dancers, and audience, creating a sacred, lively festival atmosphere (a trance-like state).
Transcending literal meanings to "enjoy the rhythm of sound," these refrain words are a major charm of Kokiriko Bushi, captivating hearts across borders and eras.
3. Traditional Instruments that Color the Tone
The performance of Kokiriko Bushi features rustic instruments made from Japan’s natural wood and bamboo, producing soul-stirring tones rooted in nature.
Kokiriko: Two bamboo sticks featured in the lyrics. Struck together in the hands, they mark time with a light, dry, high-pitched rhythm.
Bosasara (Surisasara): A percussion instrument played by rubbing a thin stick across the notched surface of a grooved bamboo or wooden rod, producing a continuous, dry scraping sound that adds rhythmic texture and a unique acoustic accent to Japanese folk performances.
Binzasara: An instrument made of 108 small wooden pieces linked together with hemp rope. When flexed into an arch and moved, it produces a dynamic swishing sound, symbolizing the Kokiriko Bushi.
Shinobue: A traditional Japanese bamboo flute. It weaves smooth, beautiful, and clear melodies over the percussion rhythm of "Dedereko-den."
When we listen to the echoing sounds of the bamboo, we are hearing the exact same notes and sharing the same joy as people from centuries ago.
Every September, the Kokiriko Festival takes place in Gokayama. Why not visit the village yourself and experience this living tradition firsthand?
