Toshihiko Shinzawa: "Michikusa"

06/13/2013 00:28:28

In connection with the recent article about Mr. Hideo Kanda, I was reminded of Toshihiko Shinzawa.

Mr. Shinzawa is a celebrity in the world of childcare. He has many songs featured on television, such as "Sayonara Bokutachi no Yochien (Hoikuen)," "Niji," and "Sekaiju no Kodomotachi." He has also set music to the picture book The Very Hungry Caterpillar. His children's play songs are also incredibly fun!

When I was still working as a childcare provider, I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to attend one of Mr. Shinzawa's concerts (training sessions) in my local area.

Mr. Shinzawa has an unpretentious personality, and it was a truly fun concert.
During the concert, he shared an episode from when he was working as a childcare provider.

There was a child in his class who lacked energy, and he wanted to cheer them up, so he actively invited them every single day to play ball or play tag.

However, although the child would play when invited and show a smile for a moment, he noticed that the child would end up near the low-energy teacher in the next class... (laughs). It seems that other children also tended to settle down around that laid-back, unmotivated teacher next door.

He found that mysterious. It is exactly the "relationship between poop and flies" that Mr. Kanda was talking about.
If an adult is steady and composed, children can feel safe scurrying around them.


Mr. Shinzawa's approach to childcare overlapped with my own at the time, so even though it was eight years ago, I remember it well.

In another segment, he taught us many play songs, and his full-energy singing and dancing were quite fun.

I truly came to love Mr. Shinzawa's self-expression and his entire personality.

I think children also love this high-tension fun.

Perhaps the appropriate level of energy differs between everyday life and special occasions.




I was deeply moved by the gentle melody and relatable lyrics of a song called "Michikusa" (Walking on the Grass) that Mr. Shinzawa sang at the concert, and since I still love this song, I would like to introduce it to you.

The video has a long talk at the beginning, but you can see Mr. Shinzawa's warm and fun personality, so please take a look if you like.
It has laughter in it that sounds like the Drifters, which is nice (laughs).

Seeing Mr. Shinzawa after a long time, he has aged and become even gentler and more wonderful!

"Michikusa"

This version, which was released later, is the full version and is also recommended! (Added in 2026)