Page:Japanese Peasant Songs.djvu/101

Cloth Spread Out

Two girls hold hands facing each other or back to back and sing this song. On the last word, which is much drawn out to suit the movement, they turn through twisted arms to assume their original position and start the song again.

98

Momen zara zara Azuki zara zara Nama daizu no niu[1] tokya Kaeru kai na[2]

Cloth spread out, Red beans spread out— When fresh soya beans are cooked Shall we return?

Young Lady in a Basket

In the game to which this song is sung one child squats in the center, while others go around in a circle singing the verse. When they stop singing the child in the center, keeping his eyes shut, must guess who stopped behind him. While guessing he feels all over the other in order to identify him and there is much laughter as girls try to pick up their long hair, or assume different heights in order to confuse identity.

99	Question:	“Kago no naka no ojyō san, Naze sei ga hikui no?”	“Young lady in a basket[3] Why are you so small in stature?”
	Answer:	“Benkyō sen kara hikui no Tatte goran, tatte goran, Anata no ushiro dare ga oru?  Dare ga oru?”	“From not studying you are so small. Do stand up, do stand up, Behind you who is it? Who is it?”

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1. For: nieru.
2. Another version:

   Momen zara zara Azuki no ni Daizu no niu made Kaeru kai na

   Cloth spread out Before red beans cooked Before soya beans cooked Shall we return?

3. Or cage, or palanquin.