Info
This is a very old folk song meant to be sung like a chant. (source)
Nanakusa Gayu 七草粥 (Seven Herb Rice Porridge) is eaten at Nanakusa no sekku (Festival of Seven Herbs) on January 7 and is said to ward off evil spirits. The birds refer to the “Tang Dynasty,” which is China in ancient times. The birds also refer to the practice of chasing birds that destroy crops. (source)
Lyrics - Romaji
(Japanese folk song)
na nakusa nazu na
to udo no tori ga
ni hon no kuni e
wataranu saki ni
English Translation - Seven herbs
Seven herbs
the birds of China
towards Japan
where they do not cross
Japanese - ななくさなずな
ななくさ なずな
とうど の とりが
にほん の くにへ
わたらぬ さきに
Motions
Add a chopping motion on the steady beat to mimic chopping the seven herbs. (source)
See also
- Country: Japan
- Subjects: Nanakusa no sekku / motions
- Meter: 4
- Rhythm: steady beat
- Scale: trichord
- Tones: slt
YouTube
- Downloadable song (PDF)
- MIDI file
- Listen to the song
