When I had first arrived in Sado Island on October 2011 over ferry, I was hearing one mysterious song with welcome feeling. That song was the ‘Sado Okesa’ (佐渡おけさ). It was a folk song that was originated in Sado Island of Niigata Prefecture. By living in Sado I understand the popularity of this sone. All Sado peoples know this song, however like and love just like the national song. The song describes the dialog between a man and a woman in love with preaching of natural beauty and was sung there when the seamen drank sake/ wine together. These songs were brought to Sado Island in Meiji period by the seamen who worked on the Japan Sea route of sea transportation.

This song became nationally famous in 1921 when it was broadcast in All Japan Folk Song Festival. It is now also a favorite Obon festival dance music for the people in Niigata Prefecture and its neighbouring prefectures.

Lyrics of Sado Okesa ( 1st part ) :

1. 佐渡へ（アリャサ）、佐渡へ～（アリャアリャアリャサ）　佐渡へと草木もなびくよ。（アリャアリャアリャサ）　佐渡は居良いか、住み良いか。（アリャアリャアリャサ）
2. 来いと（アリャサ）、来いと～（アリャアリャアリャサ）、来いと言うたとて、行かりょか佐渡へ。（アリャアリャアリャサ）　佐渡は四十九里、波の上～。（アリャアリャアリャサ）
3. 佐渡と（アリャサ）、佐渡と～（アリャアリャアリャサ）、佐渡と出雲崎ャ棹さしゃ届くよ。　（アリャアリャアリャサ）、なぜに届かぬ、わが想い（アリャアリャアリャサ） ．．．

Translated into English
1. Toward Sado, toward Sado, even the tree leaves and grasses are blown by the wind. Is Sado such a nice place to live?
2. To come, to come you tell me, but I cannot go there easily. Sado is away from here 49 ri, over the sea waves.
3. From Sado, from Sado, I can reach Izumozaki on the mainland by rowing a boat. But why and why cannot I reach your tender heart?