Akashi
明石
[Genre] | Sokyoku |
[Style] | Kumiuta |
[School] | Ikuta Ryû - 生田 |
[Composed] | Kitajima Kengyō - Koto |
History (Tsuge Gen'ichi):
The title is derived from the "Akashi" chapter of The Tale of Genji. All the songs but the fourth are based on the episode concerning the lay from the seaside village of Akashi, whom Prince Genji courts during his exile to the nearby Suma, west of present Kobe. This kumiuta (song cycle) is composed in hira-joshi after the model of YATSUHASHI, KITAJIMA’s teacher; however it abounds with tasteful melodies and is the most favored among KITAJIMA’s works. This song cycle is traditionally classified into the naka category. (1) (1) Kumiuta are traditionally classified into four categories according to the degree of profundity and stylistic proficiency required and sometimes the technical difficulties involved. These are emote (lit. "outside"), ura (lit. "inside"), naka (lit. "interior"), oku (lit, "deep interior"). By way of illustration, it may be helpful to imagine these categories as representing the structure of the imperial palace or a Shinto shrine with outer and inner walls, and further inside, the outer and inner sanctuaries. It should also be mentioned that these categories represent stages of a student’s progress in the learning of the koto repertoire, and are regulated by the issuing of diplomas along the way. |
Poem (translated by Tsuge Gen'ichi)
It has long been famous The fall At the Bay of Akashi. How wondrous The moonlight, cold And brightly reflected Over the waves that Wash upon the beach. Though my longing For the capital Has grown stronger With every passing day, In this far-off place Human kindness Diverts my wretched heart Tonight! Unaware of the passing time We have talked through The long autumn night, No distance between us. Our unspoken pledge of love, Like the steadfast pines On the rocky beach of Akashi Shall ever remain unchanged. How many nights Have I passed at Akashi Listening to the waves as they Rise and fall on the beach? The cries of the plovers Add to my sorrow As I think of the tides Of life. Is it the sound Of fallen leaves in the garden? A passing shower? Or the distant notes of a koto? No one will know Of the tears That flood my sleeve As I listen. The dark clouds of doubt In which I wandered Have cleared, And the sky is bright at Akashi. Overjoyed I am to be returning To the spring blossoms Of the capital. | Tokorokara nanishioo akashi no ura no aki no koro tsuki saewatari yoru nami ni utsuroo kage no omoshiro ya Konogoro wa itodoshiku miyako no kata no koishiki ni kakaru tokoro no hitogokoro uki wo nagusamu koyoi kana Itsu to naku nagaki yo wo katari akashi no uranakumo ika de iwane no matsu no ha no chigiri wa sue mo kawaraji Ikuyo akashi no ura nonami yosetewa kaeri ukishizumi aware wo omoo orikara ni aware wo soete naku chidori Niwa no ochiba ka murasame ka kakinarasu koto no ne ka yoso ni shirarenu waga sode ni amarite moruru namida kana Shichi-enmyoo no akashigata mayoi no kumo mo uchiharete yae sakiizuru kokonoe no miyako ni kaeru ureshisayo |
Akashi appears on the following albums
Album | Artist | |
Challenging Eternity Disk 04 |
Koto : Nakamura Sōyō II Voice : Nakamura Michiko Koto : Nakamura Michiko Shakuhachi : Yamamoto Hōzan | |
Kikuhara Hatsuko Zenshu vol. 5 |
Voice : Kikuhara Hatsuko Koto : Kikuhara Hatsuko |