Kagome Kagome

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Kagome, kagome (かごめかごめ) is a Japanese children's game. One child is chosen as the oni (literally "demon or ogre", but translates in games as "it") and sits blindfolded (or with his eyes covered). The other children join hands and walk in circles around the oni while chanting the song for the game. When the song stops, the oni speaks aloud the name of the person behind him, and if he is correct, that person will exchange places with the oni.

[edit] Lyrics

Kagome Kagome Kago no naka no Tori wa
Itsu Itsu deyaru? Yoake no ban ni
Tsuru to Kame ga subetta.
Ushiro no shoumen dare ?

Translation:
Kagome, Kagome, the bird in the cage,
when will you come out?
In the evening of the dawn,
the crane and turtle slipped.
Who stands right behind you now?

Sometimes the last few lines are translated literally as the following:

At dawns and evenings.
Who is in front of the back,
where a crane and turtle slipped and fell?

[edit] External links

• Description of game and song (Japanese)
• Movie
• Translation