Kagome, Kagome

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Kagome (also known as Kagome, Kagome) (かごめかごめ) is a popular Japanese children's game, similar to the European games 'Ring Around The Rosie' or 'Poor Mary'. To play, a child who was 'it' (called the 'oni' or 'demon') would stand or sit with their eyes covered, encircled by four or more other children. The children in the circle would then dance around in a circle singing the song. When the song finished, the child in the middle would have to guess the identity of the child standing behind them.

If the child guessed correctly, then the person behind them would be the new 'oni'.

Fatal Frame Universe

In the first Fatal Frame Kagome, Kagome is mentioned in notes and text. Also, when Miku Hinasaki wakes up from her first night, she is surrounded by ghost children, who are singing the song around her. It doesn't seem to have anything to do with the rituals that went on in Himuro Mansion, however. One of the puzzles (the one in the Doll Room) is based on the Kagome, Kagome game.

The Real World

In the real world, the game has several origin stories and has had a few variations to the song. In fact, different regions of Japan are said to have different lyrics. The most common version now is said to have originated during the early Showa period in the Chibi Prefecture in the city of Noda. The game as described above is still played, but usually amongst young children. It was suggested by Kunio Yanagita in Theories Regarding Folklore (1934) that the game, with its "blindfolded demon" and other elements mimics a religious ritual performed by adults.

There have been many theories/legends about the origin of the song itself, and what its meaning truly is.

Theories concerning Origin

Prostitute theory

The song is describing the laments of a Japanese prostitute, as they were frequently called 'caged birds'. The song talks about their sorrow.

Money Theory

The song is in reference to hiding money (and losing it). The words "Crane and Tortoise" were known to represent where a household would keep their money.

Pregnancy Theory

This theory suggests that the "bird" in the song refers to a baby inside its mother (the "cage"), and the "when will it come out?" line refers to wondering when the baby will be born. The "evening of the dawn" section supposedly refers to the darkness of the mother's womb before birth. The theory supposes the kanji representing the word "kagome" to be 籠女. The second character means "woman", and the first can be interpreted as either "cage/basket" or "to be packed/confined inside". It also refers to the way in which a pregnant woman would often look as though holding a basket in her arms.

Prisoner Theory

This theory suggests the song to be about the fate of a prisoner:

  • "Kagome" refers to the bamboo fence enclosing the place of execution
  • "Bird inside the cage" represents the prisoner in their cell, who is set to be executed
  • "When will it come out?" questions when the prisoner will be brought out of their cell in order for the execution to be performed
  • The crane and tortoise are two symbols of longevity, so to say that they have both "slipped" or "fallen" represents how the prisoner's life will come to an end (in the execution)
  • "Who stands behind you?" refers to the executioner standing behind the prisoner to behead them

"Who is in Front of the Back"

  • "Who is behind the front?" may refer to a severed head questioning who killed them - who the person standing behind them is.
    • This may also refer to the body of someone who doesn't realise that they are dead wondering who the severed head in front of them belongs to.
  • In some regions, "shoumen" ("front") appears as "shounen" ("boy") - this would change the line to mean, "Who is the boy behind you?"

Other Theories

  • One theory, from an unknown person, holds that the song tells of a pregnant woman who was pushed down the stairs on the evening of her due date by someone who wanted to protect their inheritance, and as such wanted to prevent any more children being born. Due to this the mother miscarried, and the song is said to be about her resentment of the person who pushed her and caused her to lose her child.
  • Another theory says that the "caged bird" is the demon - the prisoner - and that the cage refers to their cell. The crane and turtle slipping, both of which represent longevity, is an omen of their execution, when their life will come to an end. "Who is behind" is said to refer to the prisoner wondering whether the person coming up behind them has been sent to watch over them or to help them - wondering what fate awaits.

Lyrics

Japanese

かごめかごめ 籠の中の鳥は
いついつ出やる? 夜明けの晩に
鶴と亀が滑った
後ろの正面だあれ?

Romaji

Kagome Kagome Kago no naka no Tori wa
Itsu Itsu deyaru? Yoake no ban ni
Tsuru to Kame ga subetta.
Ushiro no shoumen dare?

English

Kagome, Kagome, the bird in the cage,
when will you come out?
In the evening of the dawn,
the crane and turtle slipped.
Who stands right behind you now?

Variations

Kagome, Kagome, the bird in the cage,
when will you come out?
At dawns and evenings.
Who is in front of the back,
where a crane and turtle slipped and fell?

External links

Characters
Player Characters
Miku Hinasaki - Mafuyu Hinasaki
Major Characters/Ghosts
Kirie Himuro - White Kimono - Himuro Family Master - Kirie's Lover - Junsei Takamine - Koji Ogata - Tomoe Hirasaka - Ryozo Munakata - Yae Munakata - Mikoto Munakata
Minor Characters/Ghosts
Mr. Hinasaki - Masato Hinasaki - Miyuki Hinasaki - Tokitada Kyuki - Blinded Maiden - Bound Man - Broken Neck - Boy Hiding - Crawling Girl - Female Head - Floating Face - Floating Woman - Former Rope Shrine Maiden - Girl in the Well - Hands from Floor - Headless Priests - Long Arms - Long Hair Woman - People Killed - Wandering Man - Wandering Monk
Terms
Blinding Ritual - Calamity - Camera Obscura - Ceremony of the Ropes - Demon Tag - Demon Tag Children - Demon Tag Ritual - Flashlight - Folklorist - Himuro Family - Hinasaki Family - Holy Mirror - Kagome, Kagome - Laceration Rope - Malice - Munakata Family - Overexposure - Rope Curse - Rope Shrine Maiden - Spirited Aways - Strangling Ritual
Locations
Abyss - Backyard - Blinding Room - Buddha Room - Burial Room - Cherry Atrium - Demon Mouth - Doll Room - Dungeon - Entrance - Fireplace Room - Fish Tank Room - Five Gods Shrines - Grand Hall - Hell Gate - Himuro Mansion - Koto Room - Library - Mask Room - Moon Shrine - Narukami Shrine - Rope Altar - Rope Hallway - Square Garden
Gameplay
Camera - Save points - Films - Flashlight - Lenses - Functions - Fatal Frame Spirit List - Health items
More Pages
Items - Nights - Notes - Photographs - Costumes - Endings - Zero Novel - Pachislot Zero


Japanese Culture
Religion
Buddhism - Shinto
Japanese Ghosts/Creatures
Funayūrei - Goryō - Hitodama - Ikiryō - Onryō - Ubume - Yōkai - Yūrei
Specific Japanese Ghosts/Creatures
Oiwa - Okiku - Yuki-onna
Terms
Dosojin - Grave Mound - Hannya Mask - Higanbana - Jizo - Kaidan - Miko - Mukoyōshi - Sanzu River - Shimenawa - Toro-Nagashi - Wara Ningyo
Locations
Northeastern Japan - Shizuoka - Sugisawa Village - Tono
Media and Entertainment
Kagome, Kagome - Ringu