Abstract 

This is the folk music genre from Japan called Minyo. These songs were created by the common people, their contents reflecting the hardships and celebrations of life. Minyo share music yet themes vary widely. Some were created for labor, to keep workers organized and motivated. Others are rooted in Shinto. Some are love songs, some festival songs with accompanying dance. What unifies Minyo are its humble origins. Utilizing a map I will visualize nine different Minyo, each associated with one of the nine broad regions of Japan. Observing the performance context, and history are my goals with this project.