Akita Ondo

Akita Ondo (秋田あきた音頭おんど, meaning "the Akita Marching Song") is a folk song of Akita prefecture, Japan. It is said that it was created when Kubota domain in Akita prefecture was inspected by Yoshitaka Satake in 1663. It was originally known simply as the "Ondo" ("Marching Song"), but it is said that around the beginning of the Meiji era it became known as the "Akita Ondo".

The unique characteristic of the Akita Ondo is its litany of humorous lyrics, accompanied by instruments like the shamisen, flute, and bell. Besides the initial cry "yātonā" (or "yātosei"), few musical intervals are used. The verses are simply laid out upon a 7-7-9 rhythm, in style similar to modern rap music.

Lyrics

Japanese	Transliteration	Literal translation
（ヤートセー）コラ、秋田あきた音頭おんどです（ハイ、キタカサッサー、ヨイサッサ、ヨイナー）	(yātosei) kora, Akita Ondo desu (hai, kitakasassā, yoisassa, yoinā)	Yaatose, This is the "Akita Dance Song".
コラ、いずれこれよりご免めんこうむり音頭おんどの無駄むだをいう（アーソレソレ）	kora, izure koreyori gomen koumuri, Ondo no muda wo iu (ā sore sore)	Well anyhow, please forgive me as I launch into the Ondo's nonsense.
お耳障みみざわりもあろうけれどもさっさと出だしかけな	omimi sawari mo arou keredomo, sassato dashikake na	There may be some objections from your ears, but here I go.
コラ、秋田あきた名物めいぶつ八森はちもりハタハタ、男鹿おがで男鹿おがブリコ（アーソレソレ）	kora, Akita meibutsu: Hachimori, Hatahata, Oga de Oga buriko (ā sore sore)	Akita's famous products: Hachimori butterfish, Oga yellowtail,
能代のしろ春慶しゅんけい、桧山ひやま納豆なっとう、大館おおだて曲きょくげわっぱ	Noshiro shunkei, Hiyama nattō, Ōdate magewappa	Noshiro lacquerware, Hiyama fermented soybeans, and Odate birchbark vessels.

See also

• Meibutsu