Japan Fisherman Song

This recording came from the UNESCO traditional music collection, on the album Japan: Semiclassical and Folk Music. It was recorded and released in 1974. Here’s a transcription from the album notes: “Tairyo Utakomi“- Fishermen’s Song, sung by Akama Shinsui and others. In Miyagi Prefecture, the fishermen sing a particular type of rhythmical song while sculling their boats and fishing. These songs are called “ songs for a good haul .“ The melody given here consists in two songs, Saitara-bushi and Toshima-jinku. The former was originally sung by a mine worker named Saitaro who changed it into a boat song when he became a fisherman. The latter was a song for a sake party. The text describes the scene of the seashore, the islands of the district, and the life and customs of the local people. The song begins with a prayer to the gods asking for their protection on sea and land.