Shinano no Kuni (song)
Encyclopedia
Shinano no Kuni is a prefecture song of Nagano Prefecture
, Japan, created for educational purposes. Because of its popular appearance in public areas such as train stations and TV programs, a large segment of the prefecture's population can remember the song. Sometimes the song is used (jestingly) to test one's patriotism to the region. The song was played during the opening ceremony of the 1998 Winter Olympics
to accompany the Parade of Nations.
The song was created in 1900 for teaching the geographical features of the prefecture to children. The lyrics were written by Kiyoshi Asai, a Nagano-born teacher, and the tune was by Masaharu Kitamura. In the song, the wording attempts to cover various famous places and their featured objects or people evenly.
The name means Shinano Province
, roughly corresponding to the prefecture in the old province system
. Nagano Prefecture has long been divided into several political areas, notably in Nagano
and Matsumoto
area, each of which has distinctive economical interests. The song has continued to be sung by various people throughout the prefecture as the symbol of unity of the region.
Nagano Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located in the Chūbu region of the island of Honshū. The capital is the city of Nagano.- History :Nagano was formerly known as the province of Shinano...
, Japan, created for educational purposes. Because of its popular appearance in public areas such as train stations and TV programs, a large segment of the prefecture's population can remember the song. Sometimes the song is used (jestingly) to test one's patriotism to the region. The song was played during the opening ceremony of the 1998 Winter Olympics
1998 Winter Olympics
The 1998 Winter Olympics, officially the XVIII Olympic Winter Games, was a winter multi-sport event celebrated from 7 to 22 February 1998 in Nagano, Japan. Seventy-two nations and 2,176 participans contested in seven sports and 72 events at 15 venues. The games saw the introduction of Women's ice...
to accompany the Parade of Nations.
The song was created in 1900 for teaching the geographical features of the prefecture to children. The lyrics were written by Kiyoshi Asai, a Nagano-born teacher, and the tune was by Masaharu Kitamura. In the song, the wording attempts to cover various famous places and their featured objects or people evenly.
The name means Shinano Province
Shinano Province
or is an old province of Japan that is now present day Nagano Prefecture.Shinano bordered on Echigo, Etchū, Hida, Kai, Kōzuke, Mikawa, Mino, Musashi, Suruga, and Tōtōmi Provinces...
, roughly corresponding to the prefecture in the old province system
Provinces of Japan
Before the modern prefecture system was established, the land of Japan was divided into tens of kuni , usually known in English as provinces. Each province was divided into gun ....
. Nagano Prefecture has long been divided into several political areas, notably in Nagano
Nagano, Nagano
, the capital city of Nagano Prefecture, is located in the northern part of the prefecture near the confluence of the Chikuma and the Sai rivers, on the main Japanese island of Honshū.As of April 1, 2011 the city has a population of 387,146...
and Matsumoto
Matsumoto, Nagano
is a city located in Nagano Prefecture, Japan. Matsumoto is designated as a Special City.-Outline:The new city of Matsumoto is the city comprising the mergers of the old city of Matsumoto and four villages. Matsumoto officially absorbed those villages without creating a new municipal...
area, each of which has distinctive economical interests. The song has continued to be sung by various people throughout the prefecture as the symbol of unity of the region.