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This is a Sokyoku piece in the Maybe Meiji Shinkyoku style from the Yamada Ryű school .

History (from Tsuge Gen'ichi)
This piece is one of the traditional songs which were arranged by Ongaku Torishabe-gakari during the Meiji Era for use in the public schools. Isawa Shuji (1851-1917), the director of the committee, was concerned particularly with the texts of traditional songs in terms of their suitability in school curriculums. Betterment of the zokkyoku was one of his committee's major efforts. Part of the result was published in1888 by the Tokyo Academy of Music as the Sokyoku shu ('Collection of Japanese Koto Music'). Rakubai ('Falling Plum Blossoms') appears for the first time in this collection. Known originally by the title of Edo-murasaki, the tune was given a new 'educational' text. Ever since, this song has been used for beginners of the koto.

Poem (translated by Tsuge Gen'ichi)
The sky in spring
When the year turns new;

By the fences
The new green of grass.

The gossamer green
Of willow trees
And the sweet fragrance
Of the plum blossom.

Then suddenly
The note of a flute -
As if echoing
Against the clouds.
And the blossoms fall.
The blossoms fall
At the note of the flute.