Tankō Bushi
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Tankō Bushi (炭坑節?) is a Japanese folk song. Despite the term "fushi/bushi" found in its name, the rhythm is in swung, ondo style. It is a song about coal mining, and it refers to old Miike Mine in Kyūshū. It is a common song used in Bon dances, and the dance that accompanies it depicts actions in mines, i.e. digging, pushing a cart, hanging a lantern, etc.
[edit] Excerpt from Tankō Bushi
Tsuki ga deta deta
Tsuki ga deta, a yoi yoi
Miike Tankō no ue ni deta
Anmari entotsu ga takai no de
Sazoya otsukisan kemuta akaro
Sa no yoi yoi
Rough Translation:
The moon, has come out,
Oh, the moon is out, heave ho (kakegoe)
Over Miike Coal Mine hath the moon come out.
The chimney is so high,
I wonder if the moon chokes on the smoke...
Heave ho!
NOTE: Modern arrangements of Tankō Bushi replace the lyric "Miike Tankō" (Miike Mine) with "uchi no oyama," which means something more general like "our mountain" or "our plain," as Miike Mine is no longer in service, and the song is now played at Bon dances outside of Kyūshū.
