Tōryanse
Tōryanse (通りゃんせ) is the name of the traditional Japanese children's tune (warabe uta). Meaning : This is the way to “ Tenjin, the Lord of the Heavenly Good”, you may go through this narrow way with your reason to pass in, but on the returning way to the gate, will you be able to pass though? The other words, “Enter by the narrow gate”. It is a common choice for music played by traffic lights in Japan when it is safe to cross.
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[edit] Lylics
The words to the song are:
| Japanese: | Romaji: | Translation: |
| 通りゃんせ 通りゃんせ | Tōryanse, tōryanse | You may go in, you may enter |
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| 天神さまの 細道じゃ |
Tenjin-sama no hosomichi ja |
This is the narrow pathway of the Tenjin shrine |
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| 御用のないもの 通しゃせぬ | Goyō no nai mono tōshasenu | Those without good reason shall not pass |
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行きはよいよい 帰りは怖い |
Iki wa yoi yoi, kaeri wa kowai |
Going in may be easy, but returning would be scary and awesome |
| 怖いながらも | Kowai nagara mo | It's scary and awesome, but |
| 通りゃんせ 通りゃんせ | Tōryanse, tōryanse | You may go in, You may pass through |
[edit] Explanation
There are many theories to the origin of the song, but all agree that it is a portrayal of an exchange between a civilian and a guard manning some sort of a checkpoint — at Kawagoe Castle according to one theory. In the old days when infant mortality was high, people celebrated when a child survived to reach the age of 7 (as well as 3 and 5; see Shichi-Go-San), and ordinary people were only allowed to visit the shrine within the castle compound for special occasions.
This particular warabe uta is sung as part of a traditional game where two children facing each other link their hands to form an arch 'checkpoint', and the remaining children walk through underneath in a line (and back round again in circles). The child who happens to be under the arch when the song finishes is then 'caught'.
The tune being played at Japanese pedestrian crossings is an analogy to this game, i.e., it is safe to cross until the music stops.
[edit] Parody
Originally, it’s only the first phrase of “Tenjin”. But few parodies are occasionally made by the masses.
The words to the song are:
| Japanese: | Romaji: | Translation: |
| 通りゃんせ 通りゃんせ | Tōryanse, tōryanse | Let me pass, let me pass |
| ここは冥府の細道じゃ | Koko wa meifu no hosomichi ja | Here is the underworld's narrow pathway |
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| ちっと通して 下しゃんせ | Chitto tōshite kudashanse | Please allow me to pass through |
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| この子の七つの弔いに | Kono ko no nanatsu no tomurai ni | To bury this child at age 7 |
| 供養を頼みに参ります | Kuyō wo tanomi ni mairimasu | I've come to offer my services |
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| こわいながらも | Kowai nagara mo | It's scary but |
| 通りゃんせ 通りゃんせ | Tōryanse, tōryanse | Let me pass, let me pass |
[edit] Popular culture
Tōryanse can be heard in:
- I´´s, in the OVA (children song)
- Amatsuki, episode 1, Meeting Yakou (background music)
- The Animatrix in the short film Beyond
- Serial Experiments Lain
- Lost in Translation
- Pom Poko
- Nocturnal Illusion, mentioned by the main character
- Pride (episodes 5 and 8)
- Boogiepop Phantom
- Earth Girl Arjuna
- Hand Maid May
- Ping Pong Club
- Ichigo Mashimaro, episode 6
- Chakushin Ari 2 sung by the blind lady named Shu-Mei Gao
- Bleach
- Paranoia Agent
- Magical Pokaan, 10 seconds' worth at 15:11 in episode 12
- Death Note, episode 30
- Black Lagoon, episode 7, "The Second Barrage"
- Dennō Coil
- Pokémon, episode 352 (AG076): a version rewritten to be about the Pokémon Baltoy (Yajiron) is sung more than once.
- Sayonara: The Takarasiennes sing the song as they cross the bridge to their dormitories.
- Mahō Tsukai ni Taisetsu na Koto: Natsu no Sora
- Chaos;Head: The song is frequently used to prank call the protagonist, by switching the song with a loud buzz noise. Later in the game, the song serves as a defense mechanism for an important machine.
- Karin: In the animation series, episode 9, from 13:02 to 13:15.
- Shikabane Hime: episode 2, several times
- Jigoku Shoujo Futakomori: episode 2, from 3:07 to 3:19
- Shakugan no Shana II: beginning of first episode.
- Power In Numbers: A sample of children singing the line "Nie no nai mono tōshasenu" is used in the track 'Acetate Prophets'
- Higurashi no Naku Koro ni, Wheel of Fortune, played at the beginning of the first live action movie, includes lines from Tōryanse.
- Tokyo Tower: Mom and Me, and Sometimes Dad, probably from 6:24 to 6:49
- Afro Samurai (video game), Battle against Kuma
- Neo Tokyo (film) from 28:02 to 28:10
- Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan: The yokai, Tōryanse, is a member of the Hundred Tales Clan.
- Ninja Sentai Kakuranger, episode 1
- Adrift in Tokyo, 31:08 to 31:17
- Mawaru Penguindrum, episode 14 a line from the nursery rhyme is displayed on the screen in the train
- Corpse Party on the Sony PSP, sung by children during two different scenes
