The Japanese Christmas Song "Awatenbou no Santakuroosu"

Christmas has become a popular celebration in Japan, even though less than one percent of the Japanese are Christian. However, Christmas is not a family time in Japan. In fact, it is not even a national holiday. December 23rd, though, is a holiday because it is the birthday of the present emperor. Most Japanese work on Christmas day, just like any other day. On the other hand, New Years Day is an important holiday where families get together and have a special feast.

So, how do the Japanese celebrate Christmas? It is a time for lovers to have a romantic dinner and give presents, much like St Valentine's Day. The media now really push Christmas Eve as being a time for romance. That's why Christmas Eve is more important in Japan than Christmas day itself. Fancy restaurants and hotels are often booked solid at this time.

In December, Christmas classics are played everywhere. Most popular Japanese Christmas songs are for lovers. Here is a Japanese Christmas song for children called, "Awatenbou no Santakuroosu (Hasty Santa Claus)." You can check out the animated version of "Awatenbou no Santakuroosu" on Youtube.

The Lyrics of "Awatenbou no Santakuroosu"

あわてんぼうのサンタクロース
クリスマスまえに やってきた
いそいで リンリンリン
いそいで リンリンリン
鳴らしておくれよ 鐘を
リンリンリン リンリンリン
リンリンリン

あわてんぼうのサンタクロース
えんとつのぞいて 落っこちた
あいたた ドンドンドン
あいたた ドンドンドン
まっくろくろけの お顔
ドンドンドン ドンドンドン
ドンドンドン

あわてんぼうのサンタクロース
しかたがないから 踊ったよ
楽しく チャチャチャ
楽しく チャチャチャ
みんなも踊ろよ 僕と
チャチャチャ チャチャチャ
チャチャチャ

あわてんぼうのサンタクロース
もいちど来るよと 帰ってく
さよなら シャラランラン
さよなら シャラランラン
タンブリン鳴らして消えた
シャラランラン シャラランラン
シャラランラン

Read More

"Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" Christmas Carol in Japanese

By Namiko Abe

あわてんぼうのサンタクロース
ゆかいなおひげの おじいさん
リンリンリン チャチャチャ
ドンドンドン シャラランラン
わすれちゃだめだよ おもちゃ
シャララン リン チャチャチャ
ドン シャララン

Romaji Translation

Awatenbou no Santakuroosu
Kurisumasu mae ni yattekita
Isoide rin rin rin
Isoide rin rin rin
Narashite okure yo kane o
Rin rin rin rin rin rin
Rin rin rin

Awatenbou no Santakuroosu
Entotsu nozoite okkochita
Aitata don don don
Aitata don don don
Makkuro kuro ke no okao
Don don don don don don
Don don don

Awatenbou no Santakuroosu
Shikataganaikara odotta yo
Tanoshiku cha cha cha
Tanoshiku cha cha cha
Minna mo odoro yo boku to
Cha cha cha cha cha cha
Cha cha cha

Awatenbou no Santakuroosu
Mo ichido kuru yo to kaetteku
Sayonara shara ran ran
Sayonara shara ran ran
Tanburin narashite kieta
Shara ran ran Shara ran ran
Shara ran ran

Awatenbou no Santakuroosu
Yukaina ohige no ojiisan
Rin rin rin Cha cha cha
Don don don Shara ran ran
Wasurecha dame da yo omocha
Shara ran rin cha cha cha
Don shara ran

The Use of " ~bou"

"Awatenbou" means, "a hasty person." "~bou" is attached to some words and expresses "~ person, ~ person who does ~" in an affectionate or ridiculing manner. Here are some examples:

Okorinbou 怒りん坊 --- a short-tempered or irritable person
Kechinbou けちん坊 --- a stingy person; a miser
Amaenbou 甘えん坊 --- a pampered or spoiled person.
Kikanbou きかん坊 --- a naughty or unruly person
Abarenbou 暴れん坊 --- a rough or disorderly person.
Kuishinbou 食いしん坊 --- a gourmand
Wasurenbou 忘れん坊 --- a forgetful person

The Prefix "ma"

"Makkuro" means as black as ink. "Ma" is a prefix to emphasize the noun that comes after "ma." The Japanese title for "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" is " Makkana ohana no tonakai-san." Let's look at some words that include "ma."

Makka 真っ赤 --- bright red
Makkuro 真っ黒 --- black as ink
Masshiro 真っ白 --- pure white
Massao 真っ青 --- deep blue
Manatsu 真夏 --- the middle of summer
Mafuyu 真冬 --- the middle of winter
Makkura 真っ暗 --- pitch-dark
Masski --- at the very first
Mapputateu --- right in two
Massara --- brand new

The Prefix "o"

The prefix "o" is added to "kao (face)" and "hige (beard; mustache)" for politeness. Again, the title "Makkana ohana no tonakai-san (Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer)" includes the use of the prefix "o" as well. "Hana" means "nose" and "ohana" is the polite form of "hana."

Onomatopoeic Expressions

There are many onomatopoeic expressions used in songs. They are words that describe sound or action directly. "Rin rin" describes a ringing sound, in this case the sound of a bell. "Don" expresses "thud" and "boom." It is used to describe the sound that Santa Claus makes as he comes down a chimney.