Yoshio Mamiya, himself an accomplished pianist, composed three works titled Three Preludes. The first was composed in 1972. The second, the present work, was written between 1977 and 1978, commissioned by pianist Izumi Tateno, and the third was composed in 1984. Subsequently, this work and the 1984 work were compiled and published as Six Preludes for Piano (Zen-On Music Company Ltd.).

Mamiya's creative approach can be said to be similar to Bartók's; he often addresses the problem of how to elevate elements of Japanese folk music, such as folk songs, into contemporary art pieces. This approach is clearly evident in this work, where children's songs and lullabies are treated as the primary material.

The first piece, "Children in the Sunset," is a type of variation based on a children's song from Sendai, taking the form of alternating light, allegretto sections with slowly harmonized meno mosso sections. The second piece, "Day of the Deer Dance," as its title suggests, depicts the scene of the Shika Odori (Deer Dance) performed with flutes and drums, and can be described as a rhythmic and comical piece led by a somewhat leisurely introduction. The third piece is "Lullaby of Shady Street," based on a lullaby from Yamanashi, and progresses with melodies played without a sense of tempo interspersed between deep, fantastical sonorities.

Throughout the entire work, while rather indigenous and familiar materials such as children's songs are used, it is finished with rich, colorful sonorities that sometimes evoke Debussy or jazz, making it a work that celebrates a profound and unique worldview.