The appeal of "Red Mountain, Blue Mountain, White Mountain": The world of "Minna no Uta" woven with Hokkaido children's songs

"Red Mountain, Blue Mountain, White Mountain": The appeal of a short animation depicting Hokkaido's nature and culture

"Red Mountain, Blue Mountain, White Mountain," a short animated film based on a nursery rhyme from the Hokkaido region, aired on NHK Educational TV (now NHK E-Tele) in October 1974. In just two minutes, the film beautifully depicts the rich nature and culture of Hokkaido. Below, we will take a closer look at the appeal and background of this work, as well as its subsequent influences.

Overview of the work

"Red Mountain, Blue Mountain, White Mountain" was produced as part of the NHK "Minna no Uta" series. "Minna no Uta" is a music program loved by a wide range of audiences, from children to adults, and introduces new songs and animations in each episode. This work, in particular, is a piece that gives a sense of the Hokkaido climate.

The original is a nursery rhyme from the Hokkaido region, and although the lyrics are very simple, they are filled with respect and love for nature. The animation was produced by Seiichi Hayashi, and is characterized by colorful and beautiful visuals. It was broadcast in October 1974, and was a short work with only one episode, but the content made a strong impression on viewers.

Story and Themes

"Red Mountain, Blue Mountain, White Mountain" depicts the scenery of Hokkaido in line with the lyrics. Three mountains appear in the song - Red Mountain, Blue Mountain, and White Mountain - each depicted with a different color and shape. These mountains symbolize the natural environment of Hokkaido, and evoke the beauty of each season.

The theme of this work is gratitude and coexistence with nature. The repeated phrase in the lyrics, "Red mountain, blue mountain, white mountain," praises Hokkaido's abundant nature and at the same time expresses the joy of living in harmony with that nature. The animation depicts animals and plants alongside beautiful landscapes, emphasizing the harmony between nature and humans.

Animation Features

Seiichi Hayashi's animations are highly praised for their sense of color and depiction. In "Red Mountain, Blue Mountain, White Mountain," he vividly depicts the nature of Hokkaido using the three colors of red, blue, and white. In particular, the changing colors and shapes of the mountains are visually very beautiful and leave a strong impression on the viewer.

In this work, careful attention is paid not only to the depiction of the background, but also to the movements of animals and plants. For example, in scenes where birds are flying or flowers are blooming, you can see the depiction of the vitality of nature. This attention to detail enhances the quality of the work as a whole.

Music and lyrics

The lyrics of "Red Mountain, Blue Mountain, White Mountain" are very simple, but they contain deep meaning. The lyrics are as follows:

Red Mountain Blue Mountain White MountainRed Mountain Blue Mountain White Mountain

This repeated phrase expresses love and respect for the nature of Hokkaido. The music has a rhythm and melody unique to children's songs, making it familiar to both children and adults. The lyrics and music work together to create a charming piece that evokes the local Hokkaido culture.

Background and influences

"Red Mountain, Blue Mountain, White Mountain" was produced as part of the NHK "Minna no Uta" series. "Minna no Uta" is a long-running program that has been broadcast since 1961 and has been loved by many viewers. This series introduces new songs and animations in each episode, and is popular with a wide range of people from children to adults.

This work was especially well received by viewers in Hokkaido, as it focused on the nature and culture of Hokkaido. It also served as an opportunity to convey the charms of Hokkaido to viewers across the country. Even after the broadcast, many people have remembered this work and it has become an opportunity to reaffirm their love for Hokkaido's nature.

Recognition and Awards

"Red Mountain, Blue Mountain, White Mountain" was highly praised when it was first broadcast. In particular, the beauty of Hayashi Seiichi's animation and the charm of the children's songs were highly praised. This work is also known as one of the most popular works in the NHK "Minna no Uta" series.

Although it has not received any specific awards, it has been very well received by viewers and has been loved by many people. In particular, the animation, which beautifully depicts the nature of Hokkaido, is not only visually beautiful but also succeeds in conveying a heartfelt message.

Related works and recommendations

For viewers who enjoyed "Red Mountain, Blue Mountain, White Mountain," we also recommend the following related works. These works are also beautiful animations themed around the nature and culture of Hokkaido.

• "From the North Country" : A drama series set in Hokkaido, depicting the coexistence of nature and humans. It features beautiful scenery and a moving story.
• "The Wind Rises" : Directed by Hayao Miyazaki, this animated film depicts youth and dreams against the backdrop of Hokkaido's landscapes. It features beautiful visuals and profound themes.
• "Night on the Galactic Railroad" : This animated version of the masterpiece by Kenji Miyazawa beautifully depicts the nature of Hokkaido. It has a fantastic story and beautiful animation.

summary

"Red Mountain, Blue Mountain, White Mountain" is a short animation that beautifully depicts the rich nature and culture of Hokkaido in just two minutes. The beautiful animation by Seiichi Hayashi and the charming lyrics of the children's song combine to leave a strong impression on viewers. This work expresses love and respect for Hokkaido's nature and conveys to viewers the joy of living in harmony with nature.

Even now, decades after its broadcast, this work continues to be loved by many people. In particular, the animation, which beautifully depicts Hokkaido's nature, is not only visually beautiful but also succeeds in conveying a message that resonates in the heart. "Red Mountain, Blue Mountain, White Mountain" is one of the most popular works in NHK's "Minna no Uta" series, and has served as an opportunity for viewers to rediscover the charms of Hokkaido.

For viewers who enjoyed this work, we also recommend other animations and dramas set in Hokkaido. These works also feature beautiful visuals and moving stories themed around Hokkaido's nature and culture. Through "Red Mountain, Blue Mountain, White Mountain," we hope you will rediscover the charm of Hokkaido and feel the joy of coexisting with nature.