Otemoyan
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Otemoyan is a typical Japanese folk song of Kumamoto Prefecture. It is also played by mass performers dancing in the streets of Kumamoto City in summer. It is the name of a young girl who was supposed to live in the Meiji era.
Contents
The meaning of the song No.1[edit]
- Otemo-yan(Miss Otemo) I hear that you have been married recently Yeah, I have been married, but because my husband has a lot of depressions on the face (because of smallpox scars), our marriage has not been formal and not registered.
- There are many bosses in our village such as town mayer and others, I think that they will do good for us, I believe. Let's go to Kawabata Town, There are many ripe pumpkins in the fields. Skylarks are singing high in the sky, Eggplants are showing their thorny banches.
Japanese of No. 1[edit]
- Otemoya-n. Antokonogoro Yomeirishitadewa naikaina. Yomeirishitakocha shitabatten Gotehdonga Gujappedaruken Maada Sakazukya Sendatta.
- Murayaku Tobiyaku Kimoiridon Anshitotachino Orasukenda Atowa dounato Kyaanarotai. Kawabata Macchan Kyameguro. Kasuga Boburadontacha Shirihippyate Hanazakari Hanazakari. Piichiku Paachiku Hibarinoko Genpakunasubino Igaigadon.
No.2[edit]
- I will go over a mountain, and over another mountain, to meet you. I am in love with you, but I cannot say it straightly
- The spring equinox (Buddhist temple family worship season) is approaching. Young guys will gather and I will consult them about my matter
- At a gathering called Yojomon-mairi of Kumamoto. I was not charmed by your handsome face. But it was a silver tobacco pipe which attracted my attention. Akachaka Betchaka Chakachaka Chaa.
Japanese of No.2[edit]
- Hitotsuyamakoe Mohitotsuyamakoe Anoyamakoete Watasha Antani Horetorubai Horetorubatten Iwarentai
- Oioi Higanmo Chikamareba Wakamonshuumo Yoransuken Kumandonno Yojomonmairini Yuruyuru Hanashiwo Kyashutai
- Otokoburiniha Horenbana Tabakoireno Ginkanaguga Soremosomosomo Innentai Akachakabetchaka Chakachakachaa
Origin of the Song[edit]
- Originally, it was a song at drinking parties with geisha girls, and there have been several hypotheses. The most strong one was that Otemoyan was a girl named Chimo Tominaga(1868-1935) who really lived near the present Kumamoto Station. The writer/composer was Ine Nagata who was a teacher of samisen and Japanese dances. This song made a record debut by Akasaka Koume in 1935. There were smallpox scars on the face who wanted to love Chimo. However, there are other views which are not so strong. The oldest song was recorded in "5 Pairs of shoes" in 1907.
References[edit]
- 熊本人物紀行 おてもやん(2005) 小山良 熊本出版文化会館
- Otemoyan(2005) KumamotoshuppanbunkakaikanCatogory:Kumamoto