Music can move us. It can bring us joy. And if the music is connected to our daily lives, we can be deeply touched. In Japan there are such traditional musical instruments as the shakuhachi, a bamboo flute, koto, stringed instrument; Shamisen, stringed banjo-like insruments;and the taiko,a drum. The combined sounds of these instruments can awaken the soul. There are many kinds of traditional music. But minyo is very special. It developed freely and naturally. Minyo songs can be found all over Japan. For example, Sagyo-uta was sung while working in the mountains or in the ocean; Ozashiki-uta was sung while having a drinking party; and Mago-uta　was sung while working with horses. Minyo is a gift from the past. It is our fondest wish to leave the very soulful minyo for future generations not only in Japan but all over the planet. And among Minyo songs Esashi oiwake is said to be the king of Minyo.