うさぎ [Usagi]
Words & Music : 作者不詳 [Unknown]
“Usagi” is a traditional Japanese children’s song. Its exact origin is unknown, but it is believed to have been created during the Edo period (1603-1868) and passed down through generations. It is now included in elementary school music textbooks.
It uses a traditional Japanese scale called “miyako-bushi.”
うさぎ うさぎ
usagi usagi
なに見て はねる
nani mite haneru
十五夜 お月さま
jūgoya o-tsuki-sama
見て はねる
mite haneru
- うさぎ [usagi] : rabbit
- 何（なに） [nani] : what
- 見る（みる） [miru] : see
- はねる（はねる） [haneru] : hop
- 十五夜（じゅうごや） [jūgoya] : fifteenth night (full moon)
- 月（つき） [tsuki] : moon
(translation) “Rabbit, rabbit,
what do you see as you hop?
You hop as you look at the full moon on the fifteenth night.”
“お月さま / o-tsuki-sama” consists of the polite prefix “お / o,” the word “月 / tsuki” (moon), and the honorific suffix “さま / sama,” which expresses the highest respect.
This song is deeply connected to the moon. In Japan, there is a custom called “月見 / tsukimi,” where people enjoy viewing the full moon. This tradition originally came from China and was introduced to Japan during the Heian period (794-1185). And the moon that is said to be the most beautiful of the year is during the autumn “十五夜 / jūgoya” (=the fifteenth night). This refers to the 15th day of the 8th month of the lunar calendar, which in today’s calendar falls in September or October.
By the way, what do you see in the patterns of the moon? In various cultures, people see different things, such as an old woman reading a book or a crab with big claws. In Japan, people say they see a rabbit making mochi (rice cakes). This belief led to the romantic idea that rabbits live on the moon. So for the Japanese, the moon and rabbits have a very close relationship.
The lyrics suggest that when the rabbit sees the full moon on the fifteenth night, it remembers its homeland and hops in joy. It’s amusing that while other animals might cry or howl, the rabbit’s reaction is to “hop,” which is unique to this creature.
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