Children's Chant

The children in the game often sing a mysterious song called "Kagome Kagome". In Japan, most people recognize this song as a children's game (similar in some ways to the American "Duck Duck Goose"). The song goes:

Kagome Kagome
Kago no naka no tori wa,
Itsu itsu deyaru.
Yoake to ban ni.
Tsuru to kame ga subetta,
Ushiro no shoumen dare.


Translated:

Kagome, Kagome,
When does the bird inside the cage come out?
At dawn and evenings.
Who is in front of the back where a crane and turtle slipped and fell?






In the game, the players (usually 5 or more) form a circle and hold hands, except for one player (the demon) who sits at the center of the circle, covering his closed eyes with his hands. The players forming the circle then start to move, rotating around the center, while singing the song.

When the song ends, the players stop moving. The player inside the circle (the demon) tries to guess who is behind him. If his guess is correct, he switches places with that player. And the process is repeated.

The lyrics are very mysterious and often debated as to their origins. It is possible that they are based on an old Japanese myth that has been lost through time.