Various -- Tsugaru Jonkara (Jongara) Bushi（津軽じょんがら節 ）

 

When it comes to the more traditional Japanese music genres, the name Tsugaru（津軽）has had a deep position. In all aspects of talking about Aomori Prefecture at the northern end of the main island of Honshu, it's been used for geographical features, musical instruments and styles, historical clans and the like. Of course, it's popped up in songs such as Sayuri Ishikawa's（石川さゆり）"Tsugaru Kaikyo Fuyu Geshiki"（津軽海峡・冬景色）and even commenter Jim Laker recently noted a monument by the Tsugaru Strait with the lyrics of a song (possibly Ishikawa's hit).

I don't know much about the genre of min'yo aside from the facts that it represents the traditional folk songs in Japan going back centuries and that it's used at the many festivals which flourish often during the summer. However, I figure that I should get to know some more, including any from the historically and culturally rich aspects of Tsugaru. One that I did find was "Tsugaru Jonkara Bushi" (Tsugaru Jonkara Song) which depending on the area of Aomori can also be pronounced "Tsugaru Jongara Bushi".

From what I could find out about the history of the song, it may have originated as early as 1597 as a ballad based on one monk's futile and fatal attempts to stop the rampaging warlord Tamenobu Oura（大浦為信）, later to take on the surname Tsugaru to form the Tsugaru clan, as he consolidated power in what would become Aomori Prefecture. 

Despite its origins, the lyrics of "Tsugaru Jonkara Bushi" have changed over the centuries so that the song basically just describes life in the region. Not only that, but certain sections of the melody can be improvised so that it has been compared as a form of jazz, and according to one site regarding the song, it's now expected that performers of "Tsugaru Jonkara Bushi" come up with their own original arrangements. The instrument itself, the Tsugaru-jamisen (which is also the name for the form of shamisen music from Tsugaru), apparently can lend itself to improvisation. 

Above is Yoko Nagayama's（長山洋子）conventional version of the song while below is Takashi Hosokawa's（細川たかし）unique take with a good dollop of disco in the arrangement. In any case, if anyone can clarify or correct my description above on the history of the song, please let me know.