Not so long ago, I shared a pretty famous Japanese song with you: I Look Up as I Walk (Sukiyaki). Today let's look at another pretty famous one.

Swim! Taiyaki-kun

Released in 1975 and sung by the immortal Masato Shimon, Oyoge! Taiyaki-kun ("Swim! Taiyaki-kun") tells the tale of a taiyaki— a red bean paste filled waffle in the shape of a fish—that comes to life, escapes from his cook and swims around the ocean, only to end up caught and eaten by a fisherman.

It's a little like the gingerbread man.

It was released as a children's song, but it caught fire and became super popular, jumping to the number 1 single and staying there for 11 consecutive weeks, selling over 4.53 million copies and becoming the best selling song in Japan.

The song propelled Shimon to fame. He went on to become one of the biggest names of the era, especially famous for recording a number of the theme songs to anime shows and other kid's programs. That's why I always refer to him as the immortal Masato Shimon, because his voice was everywhere and remains so, as many of these cartoons are still watched today (for example, he sung the opening to Gatchaman, a cartoon which my kids enjoy in reruns).

Here is a video.

Here is a translation so you can follow along:

(this isn't my translation; I got it from here)

Day after day I was waiting to be fried.
I always tried to run away and hide.
One morning I said, “I want to be free”.
I left the fish store and went to the sea.
Swimming in the ocean felt so fine.
Golden water filled me with sunshine.
Even though my belly was full of bean jam.
I felt as light as air and happy as I swam.
Even though my belly was full of bean jam.
I felt as light as air and happy as I swam.

Day after day and now all I do is play.
I live in an old ship under the bay.
Sometimes sharks tease me, but I don’t care.
I swim fast till they can’t find me anywhere.
I’m so hungry from swimming all day long.
My tired body needs food to be strong.
Thought I saw a shrimp so I jumped from my nook.
But I was fooled – it was just a fishing hook.
Thought I saw a shrimp so I jumped from my nook
But I was fooled – it was just a fishing hook.

Twisting, turning – but I can’t get free.
The fisherman now is laughing at me.
I’m pulling hard but this hook is really stuck.
I can’t do anything, so I’m out of luck.

I’m just a Taiyaki – This is my fate.
A little burnt Taiyaki, ready for the plate.
This hungry man wants something to munch.
Taiyaki, I’m so tasty – I will be his lunch.

If you want more, here is a live version Shimon preformed (along with a table of taiyaki that everyone keeps sneaking from)

This is still a fairly common song for kids. Both my boys learned to sing it in kindergarten and you can hear it in various other places.

And now you've heard it too. Enjoy the knowledge of the story of Taiyaki-kun!

David LaSpina is an American photographer and translator lost in Japan, trying to capture the beauty of this country one photo at a time and searching for the perfect haiku.

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