01/12/2008 12:32 PM

Can Anyone Help with a Japanese Song about Raccoons or Badgers called “Shojoji”?

Raquel wrote to me: Hi, I LOVE your website! Charming, charming and so fun! I was looking for a Japanese song about how raccoons or badgers make a drum sound on their tummies. It was on an Ann Leif Barlin record many years ago. It goes like this (I hope): Sho, sho sho joji sho joji naee wawa tzum, tzum tzum kei o [...]

12/29/2007 10:48 PM

Symbolic Foods Eaten Around the World for New Years

In many parts of the world, the foods eaten on New Years Eve and New Years Day have important symbolic meanings. These symbols seem to fall into several major categories. The first class symbolizes financial prosperity. This type of food is round like coins. Often, the dish will be round beans, like lentils, [...]

10/16/2007 11:00 AM

Can Someone Help with the Japanese lyrics to “Heads, Shoulders, Knees and Toes”?

Kristen wrote: Hi, We have our preschool concert coming up soon and we’re hoping to do “Heads, shoulders, knees and toes” with the kids. We are learning body parts in Japanese but need the translation for the whole song. This is what we have… is this correct? We need the section “Let’s all clap hands together.” Atama kata [...]

05/17/2007 06:46 PM

Come Listen to the Japanese Children’s Song Donguri Korokoro - A Rolling Acorn

Roxanne Dixon sent me this wonderful recording of some Japanese schoolchildren singing the well-known song, Donguri Korokoro. Click the link below to hear the recording. Below that you’ll find the Japanese transliteration for singing along, followed by an English translation. MP3 Recording of Donguri Korokoro – A Rolling Acorn Donguri Korokoro (Transliteration) Donguri korokoro donburiko O-ike ni hamatte [...]

05/04/2007 10:57 AM

Can Anyone Help with a Canadian Song “Yoki and the Kaiser” - Possibly with Korean Origins

Patricia wrote: Wondering if you have heard the words to a 50’s skipping game we played using elastics? I believe it was originally a Korean children’s game and the children of missionaries brought it back to Canada in 1939. Original words: Rioyun, Kaiyo, Yaku navide etc. This song was taught to commemorate the victory of Russian-Japanese war of 1905 [...]

04/27/2007 03:39 PM

Looking for a Japanese Children’s Song with the Line “Teku Teku”

Liz Matsumoto wrote: Does anyone know the Japanese childrens song that starts off Teku Teku? If anyone can help out with this song, please comment below or email me. Thanks! Lisa

04/10/2007 01:54 PM

Does Anyone Know a Japanese Song called Kouma about Teddy Bears ?

I recently received this email: Hi… don’t know if you would be able to help me.. but I’m looking for a Japanese song about Teddy Bears – I was told the title is KOUMA - but can’t seem to find it on the net. Would you know where I can locate this video? Thank you Sincerely Providencia Morillo If anyone can [...]

04/07/2007 10:07 AM

Can You Help with a Japanese Song called “Okina kurino kino shita de”?

Ling Ling wrote: Hi mama lisa. I am Ling ling from Indonesia. I am looking for the lyrics to a Japanese song, I hope you can help me. The title is OKINAKURINO KINO SHITA DE. My teacher taught me this song when I was in high school and I have forgotten the lyrics. [...]

03/26/2007 01:47 PM

Delighting in Rain on a Spring Night - A Poem by the Chinese Poet Du Fu

Du Fu, also known as Tu Fu (712-770), is one of the best-known poets of China. Many of his poems are about nature and the seasons. Here’s Delighting in Rain on a Spring Night in simplified Chinese and with an English translation by Brendan O’Kane. After the translation, I posted the traditional Chinese text. 春夜喜雨 Delighting [...]

02/26/2007 05:25 PM

Sushi Kids

I’ve noticed that kids many kids now like sushi. At least the vegetarian type you find in New York. Here you can get Avocado Rolls, California Rolls (made with avocados and imitation crab meat) and Kappa Maki (Cucumber Rolls). One of my daughter’s friends loves sushi so much, she told me she [...]