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This is a Sokyoku piece in the Kumiuta style from the Ikuta Ryű school . This piece was composed for koto by Tsuguyama Kengyo .

History (from Tsuge Gen'ichi)
The composer of 'Ko-Genji' (Prince Genji) is unknown. It is, however, attributed to Tsuguyama Kengyo (d. 1697) of Kyoto, the founder of the Tsuguyama School, since this song cycle was regarded as the 'most secret' piece (goku-hikyoku) of the school, and has been transmitted to only a handful of musicians in the past.

The text of the five songs in the kumiuta is mainly based on 'The Maiden' (Otone) chapter of 'The Tale of Genji.'

Each of the first four songs refers to one of the four quarters of Genji's newly built Rokujo Mansion, to the lady occupying that quarter, and to the season represented by that lady: namely, spring for Murasaki, summer for Hanachirusato ('the Lady of the Orange Blossoms'), autumn for Akikonomu, and winter for the Lady from Akashi. The fifth song is an epilogue.

The text is virtually identical with that of Toryu Shiki-Genji, or Shiki-Genji: Otome no kyoku, although the music is entirely different. An instrumental interlude (gaku) is inserted between the fourth and fifth songs.

Poem (translated by Tsuge Gen'ichi)
Scattered in the wind,
Fleeting are the autumn leaves.
I wish to see
The unforgettable color
Of spring blossoms
Return and endure
As long as the evergreen pine
At the crag.

At this remote
At this remote
And neglected dwelling,
The orange blossoms at the caves
Are the only guide
For the cuckoo (1) who
Returns, drawn by
Sweet memories.

Naturally
Naturally
Your garden eagerly awaits
The spring flowers.
Let the winds whisper to you
About the autumn leaves
Now coloring the bamboo fence
At my dwelling.

Frozen
Frozen,
The water between the rocks
Hesitates to flow.
Only the moon in the clear sky,
Reflected on the stilled brook,
Moves towards the west,
Moves towards the west.

Flowers of spring
And leaves of autumn,
Once never wearied of,
Are now forgotten.
How many winter nights have I laid awake
To view the daybreak
Reflected on the snow at Akashi.
What destiny binds us?

(1) The cuckoo refers to Genji.