Fascination of the Koto 2 - The International Shakuhachi Society

Fascination of the Koto 2

Yonekawa Toshiko
King Record Co., Ltd - KICH 2055
1997

Track	Title	Kanji	Length	Artist
1	Rokudan no Shirabe	六段の調	06'22	Koto: Yonekawa Toshiko
	Rokudan (Instrumental composition in six sections) Composed by Yatsuhashi kengyo (d. 1685) One of the few instrumental pieces (danmono) which has been transmitted to the present. This piece consists of six sections and each of them has the same number of beats, although the tempo is accelerated.
2	Yūgao	夕顔	11'20	Koto: Yonekawa Toshiko II Shamisen: Yonekawa Toshiko Voice: Yonekawa Toshiko
	Yugao (Lady Yugao) Composed by Kikuoka Kengyo (d.1847). A typical jiuta piece (i.e. consisting of the sangen part and vocal part) in the Kyoto style. Later Yaezaki kengyo (d. 1848) composed a part for the koto to be performed in the ensemble form. A small size piece, but concise and well-balanced between the singing and instrumental parts. The title derives from the lady Yugao in the Tale of Genji who was loved by Genji but killed by the evil spirit of his former lover.
3	Shintakasago	新高砂	07'00	Koto: Yonekawa Megumi Koto: Yonekawa Toshiko Voice: Yonekawa Toshiko
	Shin Takasago (New Takasago) Composed by Terazima Hanano (1855-1920), a typical example of new koto music of the Meiji era. This is performed by high registered and a low registered koto. The title derives from the no play Takasago and the adjective 'shin' (new) is added to distinguish it from the older version of Takasago for the koto. The song text, a literal quotation from the no, praises conjugal faithfulness and longevity.
4	Kurokami	黒髪	07'35	Koto: Yonekawa Megumi Shamisen: Yonekawa Toshiko Voice: Yonekawa Toshiko
	Kurokomi (Black hair) Composed by Koide Itizyuro I in the late 18th century. This short and melodious song depicts the sadness of a woman sleeping alone.
5	Hachidan no Shirabe	八段の調	07'46	Koto: Yonekawa Toshiko
	Hachidan (Instrumental composition in eight sections) Composed by Yatuhashi kengyo (d.1685). This piece has the same characteristics as Rokudan in terms of the size of each section and melodic movements. In traditional teaching practice this piece is taught to pupils just after Rokudan. As a memory aid pupils are taught the following: the 4th section starts with the 4th string of the koto, the fifth section with the 5th string and the 6th section with the 6th string.
6	Yachio Jishi	八千代獅子	07'34	Koto: Yonekawa Toshiko II Shamisen: Yonekawa Toshiko Voice: Yonekawa Toshiko
	Yachiyo jishi (longevity of eight thousand years) It is thought that this piece was originally a shakuhachi piece depicting a joyful lion dance In the mid-17th century Masazima kengyo arranged it for the kokyu and it was again arranged by Huzinaga kengyo at the end of the 17 century as a shamisen piece. It is now performed in various instrumental settings. The tegoto (interlude), consisting of three sections, is full of joyful movements and for this reason is performed in kabuki as background music for fight scenes.
7	Natsu no Kyoku	夏の曲	15'10	Koto: Yonekawa Toshiko Koto: Yonekawa Toshiko II Voice: Yonekawa Toshiko II Voice: Yonekawa Toshiko
	Natsu no kyoku (On summer) Composed by Yoshizawa kengyo II (1801/08-1872). He composed numerous koto pieces using the tanka poems included in the Kokin waka syu. This particular piece represents progression from early summer to the end of a lingering summer.
8	Tsuru no Koe	鶴の声	04'39	Koto: Yonekawa Toshiko II Shamisen: Yonekawa Toshiko Voice: Yonekawa Toshiko II Voice: Yonekawa Toshiko
	Tsuru no koe (Voice. of cranes) Composed by Tamaoka kengyo at the end of 18th century. The crane, along with the turtle, is a symbol of felicity and longevity in the Japanese culture. For this reason, this short piece is performed very frequently.