The International Shakuhachi Society

Home

Schools

Discography

Lineage Charts

Pieces

People

Glossary

Other Sites

Teachers

Governors

For Sale

Member's Area

This is a Jiuta piece in the Tegotomono style from the Ikuta Ryű school . This piece was composed for koto by Yaezaki Kengyo . This piece was composed for shamisen by Kikuoka Kengyo .

Poem (translated by Tedford, John)
Gathering throngs of people
have risen early this spring morn
while the mists rise and clear away.

Although the shrine of Otsu is Shiga
has long since been laid to waste,
still the mountain cherry
on the slopes of Nagara
reminds us now
of times long gone.

The brilliance of the blossoms,
unchanged from former years,
stretches forth in all directions
as far as the eye can see.
[Just look at] the cherry trees
of the Taka-kannon garden,
and yonder in the distance
Mount Mikami
shields the rippling surface
of the sea [i.e., lake Biwa].
And we may gaze upon
its many bays and inlets.
Even the sound of the helm
of the gliding ferryboat
is clearly audible
wafted to us on the wind.
Amidst reveling...
...and festive celebration,
in the spring twilight,
the voice of the bell
at Miidera
reverberates
echoing the voices
of all those
who regret to part at sunset.

The cherry blossoms
are scattered in the breeze.
Singing,
we stroll homewards
escorted by the blossoms.
Truly, we have been
the guests of the cherry trees, and flowers.

Nagara no Haru appears on the following albums:

Album	Shakuhachi	Koto	Shamisen
Ikuta Ryu Sokyoku Senshu Volume 03  (Listen)
Sokyoku Jiuta Taikei 34  (Listen)		Miyagi Kiyoko