Kagome Kagome facts for kids

Kagome Kagome (かごめかごめ) is a fun Japanese children's game that's a bit like "tag" or "hide-and-seek." It also has a special song that goes with it. In the game, one player is chosen to be the Oni (which means "demon" or "ogre," but here it's like being "it"). The Oni covers their eyes or wears a blindfold. The other children hold hands and walk in a circle around the Oni while singing the game's song. When the song finishes, the Oni tries to guess who is standing right behind them.

The song itself is quite interesting because its words are a bit mysterious. They can even change a little bit depending on where you are in Japan. Many people have ideas about what the song means, but no one has ever fully explained it.

Understanding the Kagome Kagome Song

The song for Kagome Kagome is famous for its puzzling words. People have thought about its meaning for a long time. The most common version of the song is:

Here's how those words are often translated into English:

Kagome kagome / The bird in the basket/cage,

When, oh when will it come out
In the night of dawn
The crane and turtle slipped
Who is behind you now?

The song is usually written as one long line without any punctuation. This makes it tricky to know which parts of the song connect to each other. For example, "In the night of dawn" could be an answer to "When will it come out?" or it could describe when "The crane and turtle slipped."

Different Words in the Song

Over time, the words in the Kagome Kagome song have changed in different places. Here are some common changes:

• "夜明けの晩に" ("yoake no ban ni," meaning "in the evening of the dawn") is sometimes replaced with "夜明けの番人" ("yoake no bannin," meaning "the guard at dawn").
• "後ろの正面" ("ushiro no shoumen," meaning "in front of behind") can be "後ろの少年" ("ushiro no shounen," meaning "the boy behind").

Many other versions have been written down throughout history.

What "Kagome" Might Mean

The word "Kagome" itself has several possible meanings:

• It could mean the holes you see in a basket.
• It might be a changed version of "kakome," which means "surround."
• It could refer to the shape of the holes in a traditional basket, which often look like hexagons.
• It might also mean a "caged bird" or "circle you."
• Sometimes, it can even mean "lost."

The Bird in the Basket

The phrase "Kago no naka no tori wa" means "the bird in the basket or cage."

• Since "kago" can mean both "cage" and "basket," the "bird in a basket" might refer to a chicken, which was common in baskets long ago.
• Some people think "tori" (bird) could be a symbol for a torii gate, which is found at Shinto shrines. If "kago" means a bamboo fence, then "torii surrounded by bamboo" could mean a Shinto shrine.

When Will It Come Out?

"Itsu itsu deyaru" means "When, oh when will it come out?"

• This line can also be heard as "itsu itsu deau," which means "When, oh when will we meet?"

The Night of Dawn

"Yoake no ban ni" is a puzzling phrase.

• It could simply mean "night."
• It might mean "from morning till night."
• It could describe a time when it's hard to see light.
• Some think it means a time that feels like both dawn and night, like around 4 AM.
• Since "yoake" means the end of night and "ban" can mean night or evening, this phrase might be a purposeful riddle, talking about a time that doesn't really exist.

The Crane and Turtle Slipped

"Tsuru to kame ga subetta" means "The crane and turtle slipped."

• Cranes and turtles are often symbols of good luck and long life in Japan. So, if they "slipped," it might mean that good fortune or a long life is ending.
• The word "subetta" (slipped) could also sound like "subeta," which means "to rule over." In this case, the crane and turtle might represent a ruler.

Who Is Behind You Now?

"Ushiro no shoumen daare" means "Who is behind you now?"

• This can simply mean "who is standing behind you?"
• It can also be taken to mean "who is the person standing right in front when you look behind?" This might refer to people in power who are hidden or hard to see.

Theories About the Song's Meaning

Because the song's words are so mysterious, many people have tried to figure out what it truly means. Here are some ideas:

The Game's Meaning

One theory is that the song is simply about the game itself. In this idea, the words mean: "Surround, surround (the Oni) / When will the Oni be able to switch roles with the next person? / Who is it standing behind you?" This interpretation connects directly to how the game is played.

The Song and Hidden Power

Another idea suggests that the song might be about hidden people in power. The question "who is it that stands right in front when you look behind" could be a way of asking about someone important who is not easily seen or identified.

See also

In Spanish: Kagome Kagome para niños